The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-26
Natives VIII Be 6lvsn First Prefer ence,
Americans Next In Order.
Must be Understood That the ISL
and is Not One of Conquest,
But Was Surrendered by the
Porto Ricans, Who Had Been
Loyal to the Government of the
United States, and Claims of
Americans for Office Will Not
be Considered When Natives
Are Equally Capable.

are 6quAAAy CApAoAcs
| Correspondence of the Associated Press.)
SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO, Jan.
5.-The following letter was sent by
General Henry to the newspaper men
here, with the request that it should be
given publicity:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF
PORTO RICO, Dec. 20, 1898.
| Editors: 1t will save a great deal OF
my time and accomplish the purpose
| better if you will state in your paper
| that persons, Americans or others, VINO
| wish to make complaints should put
them in writing for my reference to the
| proper officials for correction Verbal n
cannot be taken are loss of time to
all. 1t is my intention to see that all
| obroxious spanish laws existlng mere ere
| tary fees, the prevention of Americans
getting into Office as lawyers or other
| wise under proper laws Will also pc reg,
ulated, when properly represented IN
writing.
Any action upon the part of officials
to the etPods If Of M
be reported to me: I will not continue
in office any such unprofessional or
prejudiced person
Complaint in regard to the customs
or tariff regulations will have to be
made to Captain Muchanan, who is in
Island island Appeal from his decision will
| have to be made to the Secretary OF
War.
1 also want 1t distinctly understood that
Porto Ricans will be preferred for office.
Those Porto Ricans who have gone to
the United States and received an educa-
ton and are capable of filling places in
this island will be selected first; Ameri-
cans next in order.
| 1t is not my intention to put in office
| Spaniards or Spanish sympathizers. This
is an island of Porto Ricans. and will
be- so considered. Americans must under
stand that this island is not one of con-
quest, but was surrendered to the United
States by the Porto Ricans, who had been
loyal to the Government of the United
States, and propose to consider them
for office as such in the future.
After the country is organized and put
in form under proper laws, if the Porto
Ricans desire to- elect Americans to offlce,
that will be their business and the Amer
leans good fortune.
This clamoring for office on the islands
by Americans 70 the prejudice of sda-
claims will not be considered when Porto
Ricans who are equally capable of filling
the offices are available. I am sure that
all good, true Americans will agree with
me that all Porto Ricans who were loyal
to the American Government and the flag
| who are capable, should be rewarded for
the loyalty through preference in APP
pointing to positions of responsibility as
GUY v. HENRY,
Major General Volunteers Commanding.
There are several American lawyers
here, and they regarded the letter upon
its first reading as blow at them.
Upon visiting the General, however, he
explained that they had misunderstood
the meaning of the letter, and that it
was his intention to remove the impede
ments that now prevented them from
practicing their profession here or hold
ing office 1t is question whether the
American lawyers should be admitted
to practice in the Porto Rican courts,
since few of them know anything about
the laws of Porto Rico. But this letter
was significant in Importance, compared
to the order of the War Department re-
Gently made public here concerning the
granting of franchises for public inn
provements. This order prohibits the
granting of any franchise or concession
for public works by any municipality
without the approval of the Major Cen
eral commanding, who shall, before APP
proving such grant or concession, be
authorized by the Secretary of War
| This order will affect all enterprises
for the building of tramways, railroads,
telegraph and telephone lines, water
| OF course, the effect was to put a stop
to all work on such enterprises, and it
seemed to many that the holders of old
| Spanish concessions would have mo-
nopoly, to the great detriment of
American investors. General Henry evil
| IDENTIFY took the same view, for when
this order came from Washington he
Immediately added to it before publica-
ton an extraordinary provision reyok-
| ing all Spanish grants and concessions
now existing. Between the signing of
this latter order and its printing there
was such a cloud of legal questions
raised that the General deemed it best
to abandon his position, and the first
| order was published just as it came
from the War Department at Washing
ton. AS matters now stand, the hands of
| General Henry are tied. General Henry
| is doing away with all the burdens that
| hindered trade and taxed the suffering
people. The so-called territorial taxes
upon the products of the country have
been greatly reduced. In the old days
| the planter and the peasant not only
paid the taxes upon their lands, but
gave as we'll part of it's income to an
extravagant and corrupt Government
| The tax upon land was most uncer-
tain thing. There was no rule Of uni
formity. Only the caprice or prejudice
of the authorities determined the
amount of it. Complaint has been fire.
quently made to General Henry by
planters that their political enemies
| threatened to raise their taxes and sat
isfy old grudges or new demands. To
rectify this condition of affairs. he has
arranged scheme of regular and uni
from taxation. 1t is estimated that
there are approximately $4,000, 600 acres
of taxable land in Porto Rico. 1t is the
intention of the General to divide and
tax land the following way: Cane lands
to pay one peso per acre per annum;
coffee land, IS centavos; tobacco, %
centavos; fruit. 80 centavos; pasture,
from 80 to IS centavos, and all other
lands, % centavos
| It is probable that General Henry will
| find 1t necessary to continue the "terri-
torial tax" to the extent of 3 per cent.
Iu2on the products Of the country, oner-