Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-22
GOVERNMENT OF GUAM.
Capt. Lcary Employs Some Origina
Methods on the Island.

Methods on the Island.
Washington. Nov 22.-Gov. Leary. of
Guam, or the Isle of Guam. as it is
ealled on the official gubernatoral
seal, is having a novel experience for
an American in an altogether unique
community, but the infrequency of
communication with the outside world
permits little information TO reach
Washington regarding this innovation
lin colonial establishments. Governor
Leary was always a picturesque char
acter in the service and his mission In
the lonely and scarcely known island
was regarded by those who knew him
as singularly appropriate.
1t was expected that an interesting
experiment in civilization would begin
when he assumed absolute control of
the new possession, and SO 1t turned
out, although the navy department foi
Isome reason has refralned from permit-
ting the details of his reports to get
into circulation. That these reports art
highly Interesting and in some in
stances wholly unconventional is evil
dent from portions of one which has
come To Washington. In this Governor
| Leary incloses two of his recent orders
| 10 the citizens of the isle of Guam,
| which are unlike any other orders ever
ISSUED by naval officer
The report, which is dated October
4 II, gives terse resume of affairs in
1.-THE captains dominion since the last
mail. 1t shows the islanders are inor-
ldinateiy lazy. having acquired the hab-
/ its of their ancestors of raising only
Esueh crops as Will keep their bodies and
souls together. and that they cannot be
easily induced TO value money or exer-
lcise their earning power. With the
minimum of exertion they are satisfied
If they do not starye. The whole island
lis full of examples of neglected oppor-
1 tunities which are so distasteful te
Americans. The governor set out To
bring the people Of Guam to a realiza-
4 ton of the natural wealth of the island
and 10 make ali under his jurisdiction
las productive as possible. HE tells the
4 navy department that he does not want
any more marines sent to him, as he
cannot provide food for them and does
not need them for his defense, as he
: mas nothing 10 fear from the natives
He begs, however, for more officers e
assist him in carrying out his plans foi
improving the condition of the popula.
ton. He says he wants an ice machine
none of the water on the island beinl
I of potable temperature. He has estab
i, lished the seat of government at Agana
SIX miles from Port Louis D'Apra, ant
over this distance his men have to hau
all the materials for the buildings the,
are erecting, as we'll as supplies.
But the interesting part of the repor
, relates TO the reform begun, of which
, the governor says: Having disposed
of the priests, rapid progress will b.
, made. and no further resistance viii b.
encountered He explains the two or
, ders, which are printed in English Ii
the customary official form on the frs
!, English printing press in the island
and are distributed broadcast TIL
: first of these is calculated TO compe
, each adult native to contribute to tn
!, support of the government by engaging
!. in food production. This order is date
q Oct. A. and directs all who have n
= trade to plant cereals. vegetables, etc
: under more or less severe penalties. ]
is stipulated that each citizen sha
;. have at least twelve hens and one SOW
. and continue in possession of them in
!. definitely. They must bring eggs, chick
:, ems and vegetables to sell to the gov
, errors house and to the barracks a
stated intervals, and they must pa
= their taxes and discharge other indebi
edness.
The other order was issued Sept 15tl
and was more radical. 1t demands tha
!: the concubinage which was general a
:, over the island shall stop immediatel.
4 In this order Governor Leary moralize
IL as follows to the natives: THE exis
3 ing custom of raising families OF tllegi
innate children is repulsive to the idea