The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
; PORTO RICO. 9
Organization Of a Temporary Govern 8
ment Urged to Consist Partly 8
5 Of Porto Rlcals. 8
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3 o
e@o3o@o&o~o &c 20 Q o@o@o@oe@
I recommend that legislation TO the
same end be had with reference to the
government Of Porto Rico. The time is
ripe for the adoption Of e temporary form
or government for this island; and many
suggestions made with reference TO Alas
ka are applicable also to Porto Rico.
The system OF civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people or this island Is de-
scribed by competent lawyers who are ia
miliar with 1t as thoroughly modern and
scientific. so far as il relates TO matters
or internal business. trade. production and
social and private rights in general. The
cities of the island are governed under
charters which probably require very lit
tie or no change. So that with relation to
matters OF local concern and private
rights. IL is not probable that much II any
legislation is desirable; but with reference
10 public administration and the relations
OF the island TO the Federal Government
there are many matters which are OF
pressing urgency. The same necessity
exists for legislation on the part OF Con-
gress to establish Federal courts and
Federal Jurisdiction in the island as has
been previously pointed out by me with
reference TO Hawaii. Besides the ad-
ministration OF justice there are subjects
or public lands; the control and improve
ment OF rivers and harbors; the control
or the waters or streams not navigable,
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 countries; the Importation Of con-
tract labor; the imposition and collection
OF internal revenue; the application OF
the navigation laws; the regulation OF the
current money; the establishment of post
offices and post roads; the regulation Of
tariff rates on merchandise imported from
the island into the United States: the es-
tablishment OF ports Of entry and deliv-
cry; the regulation OF patents and copy
rights-these, with various other sub
Jects which rest entirely within the power
OF Congress, call for careful consid-
Grafton and immediate action. 1t must
be borne in mind that since the cession
Porto Rico has been denied the principal
markets she had long enjoyed and our
tariffs 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
10 which the commerce OF all nations is
subjected. The Island Of Cuba, which
used to buy her cattle and tobacco with
out customs duties, now imposes the same
duties upon these products as from any
other country entering her ports. She
has therefore lost her free intercourse
with Spain and Cuba without any com
pensating benefits in this market. Her
coffee was little known and not In use by
our people, and therefore there was no
demand here for this, one of her chief
products. The markets of the United
States should be opened up TO her pro-
ducts. Our plain duty is 10 abolish all
customs tariffs between the United States
and Porto Rico and give her products free
access TO our markets.
As a result OF the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the 18th of
August, 1899. over 100000 people were re-
duced 10 absolute destitution. without
homes. and deprived Of the necessaries Of
life To the appeal of the War Depart
ment the people of the United States made
prompt and generous response. In ad-
dition TO the private charity OF our peo-
pie, the War Department has expended
for the relief Of the distressed S392, ,342 GO,
which does not include the cost of trans
portation.
II is desirable that the government of
the island under the law of belligerent
right. now maintained through the exc
cutive department. should be superseded
by an administration entirely civil in its
nature For present purposes I recon-
mend that Congress pass a law for the
organization Of temporary government
which shall provide for the appointment
by the President, subject to confirmation
by the Senate, Of a Governor and such
other officers as the general administra-
ton of the island may require and that
Tor legislative purposes on subjects of a
local nature not partalsing OF a Federal
character legislative council, composed
partly OF Porto Ricans and partly of cit
liens or the United States, shall be NOM
mated and appointed by the President,
subject TO confirmation by the Senate
their acts to be subject TO the approval
- HnFarv i
10 going into effect. In the municipali-
ties and other local subdivisions I recon-
mend that the principle of local self-gev-
ernment be applied at once so as to en-
able the intelligent citizens OF the island
TO participate in their own government
and TO learn by practical experience the
duties and requirements of a self-con-
taired and a self-governing people I have
not thought It wise TO commit the entire
government Of the island to officers Sc
lected by the people, because i doubt
whether in habits, training and experience
they are such as to fit them to exercise
at once so large a degree of self-govern-
ment, but It is my judgment and expec-
tation that they will soon arrive at an
attainment of experience and wisdom
and self-control that will justify confer
ring upon them much larger participa-
tion In the choice of their insuar officers.
The fundamental requirement for these
people, as for all people. is education.
The free school house is the best pre-
ceptor for citizenship. In the introduc-
tion Of modern educational methods care,
however, must be exercised that changes
be not made too abruptly and that the
history and racial peculiarities OF the in
habitants shall be given due weight. Sys-
TENS OF education in these new posses
sions founded on common sense methods,
adapted 10 existing conditions and look
Ing TO the future movement and indus
trial advancement OF the people will COM
mend TO them in a peculiarly effective
manner the blessing of free government.
MOB Law.
The love Of law and sense. obedience