The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-22
REFORMS IN PORTO RICO
GOVERNOR HENRY's EFFORTS TO
AMERICANIZE THE ISLAND.
Reasons for AbOIishing the InsuIar
Cabinet and Creating New nces-
DIR. CarrOIT's View OF Conditions.


Correspondence of the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN DE PUERTO RICO. Feb. II.
The insuIar cabinet created by Spain in
Difference to the demands of the Porto
Ricans for autonomy, and which was con-
tinued by the American military govern
ment, has been dissolved by Governor Cen
eral Henry. The Cabinet in office at the
time of the occupation On Oct. Is consisted
of Munro Rivera, minister of state; DR..
Coll Y Toste, minister of finance: Hernand
ez Lopez, minister of justice. and DR.. Car
bonella, minister of the interior. Munoz
Rivera had been elected by the votes of
the people at an election held in February,
1898, and he had selected the other members
of his Cabinet from the Liberal party. of
which he is the chief. Munoz is the strong
est man in Porto Rico-a man whose ply
steal and mental vigor, united with a per-
sonal magnetism. have enabled him to in
huence the American military government
as well as to lead his own party. Munoz
availed himself of the American governors
unfamiliarity with Porto Rican affairs to
use the military government for the benefit
of his party, and it was not long before his
methods were observed in the appointment.
VI III - e'A 49,
Many other charges were made against the
Cabinet. but principally against Munoz.
Finally on Feb. 6, General Henri issued the
following:
"First-It having become evident to me,
after a careful trial Of two months. that the
organization created under the Spanish sys-
TEN and continued by the representatives
of the United States government, known
as the Insular Cabinet, does not carry with
it. nor correspond to American methods and
progress, l declare the same dissolved.
"Second-Four departments are hereby
constituted. to consist Of the state, justice,
france and interior, each chief or minister
having charge of his own department. and
when called together by the governor gen
eral the latter will preside and give the
necessary directions Each head of depart
nent will receive orders from and CORE
srond direct with the governor general.
"T~hird-Heads of departments or others
objecting to the introduction of American
methods of business and progress, or 10
the investigation of the affairs of the de-
partments when properly ordered. will be
relieved from office or their designations
accepted If rendered.
"Fourth-Any vacancy occurring in a de-
partment will be filled by the most Compel
ent person available, irrespective of party
affiliations, and temporary charge of such
department will be taken by the officer next
in rank to the head unless another person
las been designated"
Though he had deprived Rivera and his
Cabinet of political power. the general was
willing that they should remain in their cor
the new order and be guided by him. This
they refused to do, alleging that to hold the
offices with such limited functions would
be to make them odious with their party.
They claimed that the people of Porto Rico
looked to the Cabinet for representation be-
fore the government, and since. under the
new Arrangement. thew would have no indie
pendence of action, they did not care to as
sumo any responsibility. Their designations
We're promptly accepted by General Henry,
and thus ended the incident.
General Henry appointed a new Cabinet.
Francisco De Acuna, secretary of state, is
a man of great activity. A lawyer by pro-
~fession, he has been for some time past oc-
cupying the responsible position of attorney
for the Supreme Court of Porto Rico. He
IS a Liberal in politics and has made himself
popular with all classes by his independence
of thought and action. He is one of the few
Liberals that Munoz Rivera could not con-
troll. Hermino Diaz, the new minister of
justice. is one of the most intelligent young
men Of Porto Rico. He is the foremost
orator in Porto Rico and has been the
spokesman of the Liberal party. As a law
yer he stands at the head of his profession.
DR.. Coll y Toste is continued in his place
of secretary of the treasury. He is one of
the most scholarly men in Porto Rico, and
is General Henry's most trusted counselor.
FREDERICK Degetau, the new secretary of
the interior, Is also q lawyer. He has been
a prominent orator in the ranks of the Radi-
cal party. and has addressed himself to
studies and principles that run parallel TO
socialism, which is gaininAground in Porto
Rico. The various departments of public
works, education, etc, in his division, will
be partially attended TO by Americans like
General Eaton and Major Hills, and they
will do much towards carrying out the ideas
of General Henry and adjusting the interior
department to American requirement..
No sooner had the new Cabinet been des-
ignated than Munoz Rivera issued an adj
dress to his Liberal friends. Though refer
ring in friendly terms to General Henry,
he spoke in no uncertain way of the desire
and the demand of the people of Porto
Rico for a termination Of the military gov
ernment. He said that the people OF Porto
Rico had long been eontending for
autonomy, which they had hoped to real
lie under the American rule. Now, he
continued, they were IN a state of servitude.
The white people Of the North Rivera
declared, fought to free the blacks from
Notwithstanding the white people. of
dom which the blacks in America had Won
The Porto Ricans. he added, whether Lib
erals or Radicals. will always hope and work
for the autonomy which they had wrested
from the unwilling hands of Spain
To make the change complete and to bet
charge Of the new insular police. intended
10 assist the military forces In patrolling the
island. and he issued the following order:
"A special department of police is Gre
ated, the head OF which Will be subject TO
the direct orders of the governor general
The police referred TO is what is known
as the insular police, and Is independent of
the municipal police. which is under the con-
troll Of the respective municipalities A
general order was also issued. putting Frank
Techter in charge Of the police and defining
the conditions under which appointments to
the force will be made.
General Eaton is doing splendid work In
the organization OF the public school sys-
TEN and awakening an interest in modern
education.
The following order has been issued from
Governor Henry's headquarters:
Il Cemeteries which have been eonse-