Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-01


Correspondence Associated Press)
San Juan. Porto Rico. March "a
new political party has been born
1.-The Republican party Of Porto Rico"
Though the party was originated BY
the radicals under the leadership OF
Manuel Rosy, it has for its object the
association of all political elements on
this island, and they have agreed upon
platform which is pronounced to be
faultlesh in its Amerieanism. The
platform in part is as follows:
That it is the highest duty of every
citizen to uphold the integrity of the
country and the laws of the land. That
We pledge ourselves as men, animated
by q common cause, aiming at COM
mon object, TO do all in our power for
our government. We endorse and COM
mend the able, patriotic and true
American spirit manifested by Hon.
William Mckinley. President OF the
United States, in releasing us from the
misrule of Spain, and we pledge our
faithfulness to adhere TO the new prin-
ciples of our new country. and have
for our aim harmony, trity and good
government, relying WI Asoniidence
upon the hope of spec nSWent
of our national affairs. -
| The name of our party shaw
Republican party of Porto Rico.
! We declare our sincere loyalS
the American flag and American ideas
and hereby pledge ourselves to strive
to become worthy of the great nation
OF which we are now a part.
We hail with pride our annexation
to the United States.
| We believe that the people of Porto
Rico could be trusted with the civil
government of the island, but as that
authority only emanates from Con-
gress of the United States. 1t is but our
duty to wait their action, and while
under military government awaiting
action by congress, we desire that all
civil Offices should be filed by nen ca
pablo, honest and OF unquestioned 10y
atty to the government, of the United
States, and disposed 20 act singly for
the best interest of this island AVID Sur
common country without distinction.
thereby affording us an opportunity to
demonstrate our fitness for self-govern-
ment with all the burdensl and respon-
sibilities which it entails. and which
will hasten the day wheh our island
will have a place among the states OF
! our Union.
| Succeeding planks declare In favor OF
universal suffrage: oppose the intro
duction into the island of foreign la
Dor; express devotion 10 liberty OF
| thought. conscience and speech, includ-
ing the freedom OF the press; and de-
precate any union OF church and state
Free schools, and the teaching of Eng
lish are demanded. A change in the
| present system OF taxation and free
trade between Porto Rico and the
| United States are advocated. The ex-
change of the provisional money for
money Of the United States Is advocated
on a gold basis, "as 1t Is right and
proper that every dollar, paper or coin/
issued by the government be as god
as any other" The Establishment
an American system Of courts In faN
vored.
The platform concludes thus:
1--WE congratulate ourselves and Our
country on being under the protection
OF the American flag, the recognized
emblem Of liberty, and viii lend every
effort to advance civilization. to teach
LOYALTY. to love American institutions
and honor washington. Lincoln and
Mckinley, whose names are household
words in the land
1t is said BY the organizers Of this
party that the name Republican" Is
used in its general sense. and has no
relation to the party Of that name in
the United States.
Il Is understood that Gen. Henry ia
In entire accord with the establish
ment Of a new American party.
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