The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-06

this island and many suggestions made with
reference to Alaska are applicable 10 Porto
Rico.
The system of civil jurisprudence now
adopted by the people Of this island is de-
serl5ed by competent lawyers who are IA
miliar with 1t as thoroughly modern and
scientific so far as II relates to matters of
internal business, trade. production and
social and private rights in general
Cities Governed by Charters
The cities of the island are governed by
charters which probably require very little
or no change. So that with relation to
matters of local concern and private right
1t is not probable that much If any, legis-
lation IS desirable; but with reference to
public administration and the return of the
islands to the federal government, there
are many matters which are of pressing
urgency. The same necessity exists for
legislation on the part of congress to es-
tablish federal courts and federal jurisdlc-
ton in the island, as has been previously
pointed out by me with reference to ia-
vail
Besides the administration of justice.
there are the subjects of the public lands;
the control of rivers and harbors; the con-
troll of the waters or streams not naYigable
which, under the Spanish law, belonged to
the crown of Spain, and have by the treaty
of cession passed to the United States the
immigration of people from foreign coun-
tries; the importation of contract LABOR;
the imposition and collection of internal
revenue; the application of the navigation
laws; the regulation of the current money
the establishment of postofhces and post
roads; the regulation of tariff rates on mer-
chandise imported from the islands in the
east; the establishment of ports of entry
and delivery; the regulation of patents and
copyrights there, with various other sub
jects, will be rested entirely within the
power of congress, and will call for
81, = Dt, liaIa aafi
1t must be borne in mind that since the
cession of Porto Rico has been denied the
principal markets she had long enjoyed and
our efforts have been continued against her
products as when she was under Spanish
sovereignty. The markets of Spain are
closed to her products except upon terms
to which the commerce of all nations Is
subjected.
The island of Cuba, which used to buy her
cattle and tobacco without customs duties,
now imposes the same duties upon the pro-
ducts as from any other country entering
her ports She has, therefore, lost her Tree
intercourse with Spain and CUBA without
anv compensating benefits in this market.
Her coffee was little known and not IN use
nv our people, and therefore there was no
demand here for this, one of her cnleL pro-
ducts The markets Of the United states
should be opened to her products' oul
Main duty is to abolish all customs tarlas
between the United States and Porto RICO
and Give her products free access TO our
markets. -. ,,t
As a result of the hurricane which swept
over Porto Rico on the Sth or august oNei
100 900 people were reduced 10 apsoiu'e
titution. without homes and deprived OF the
necessities of life. To the appeal OF the
NOR department the people OF the Ohlteu
states made prompt and generous fespoils ',
In addition to the private charl'y VI %,
neople. the war department mas eAPei i'iet
for the relief of distressed $59z''f1, WIZ" Wiz
does not include the cost of transportation,
~ T., dosirob1e that the government OF the
ilord under the law of bel1Sereht rl5i''
,,au, rnain+ained through the executive ue
lotroent should be superseded by an @o-
Tniristration entirely civil IN us n atuis .,a4
For a present purpose ! RECOMMENDS nc
,oongress mass a law for the organlzatioIl u
cor leSs -, government which shall pro-
;5a fpr The appointment by the president
l,4o+ "a confirmation by the senate Oh i
GOVERNOR and such other ofhcerS as 'He
general administration OF the lslaAu H'@s
require and for legislative purposes oie
e,,1iacts Of a local nature not paftdNlh5 %
fn1ora1 character; a legislative council
con,nosed nartly Of Porto Ricans ana part
w of citizens of the United states slla,i
me nominated and appointed by the PreSI-
dent subject to confirmation by the SEN
ate their acts to be subject to tne approNdl
Of fine congress or the president PRIOR 10
other local subdivisions | recommend that
the peoplo of local self-government be 2p-
pointed at once so as to enable the lhlelll-
gent citizens of the island to participate III
their own government and to learn by prac-
tical experience the duties and require
ments of self-contained and self-governing
people / have not thought 1t wise to COM
NIT the entire government of the island
to officers selected by the people. because
7 doubt whether in habits, training ana
experience they are such as to fit them to
exercise at once so large degree of self
government, but it is my judgment and ex-
pectation that they will soon arrive at an
attainment of experience and wisdom and
self-control that will justify comforting up
on them much larger participation in the
choice of their insular officers.
Need of Education
The fundamental requirement for these
people, as for all people, is education The
free school house is the best preceptor for
citizenship. In the Introduction of modern
educational methods care, however, must
be exercised that changes cannot be made
too abruptly, and that the history and ra-
cial peculiarities of the inhabitants shall
be given due weight. Systems of education
in these new possessions. founded upon
common-sense methods, adapted to exist
ing conditions and looking to the future
movement and individual advancement of
the people, will command in a peculiarly
effective manner the blessings of free
government. The love of law and the sense
of obedience and submission to the lawfully
constituted judicial tribunals are embedded
in the hearts of our people, and any viola
ton of these sentiments and disregard of
their obligations Justly e+euses public con-
demna ton. The guarantees of life. laerty
and of civil rights should be faithfully up-
held, the right of trial by jury respected
and defended. The rule of the courts
should assure the public of prompt trial
of those charged with criminal offenses,
and upon conviction the punishment should
be commensurate with the enormity of the
crime.
Those who in directing law and the public
peace unwilling to await the judgment of
court and jury, constitute themselves
judges and executioners should not escape
the severest penalties for their crimes.
What T said in my inaugural address of
March 4. 1897, | now repeat:
"1he constitutional authorities must be
cheerfuly upheld. Lynehings must not be
tolerated in a great and civilized country
like the United States.
Courts, not mobs, must execute the PEN
alties of the laws. The preservation of pub