The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-10
AUTONOMY IN PORTO RICO.
Gkh. DATIa'S PLANS FOR THE
GOTERSMENT or THE ISLAND.

He Says the military Government VIII Ulti-
mateIy be Merged Into the Territorial
Form-Municipal Home Rule to he Estab-
lished as Soon tho People Demonatrnto
Their Capacity to Govern Themselves.
WASHINGTON Sept. 9-The War Department
has received from Porto Rico a copy Of cir
culnr proclamation. issued Aug. IL. by Gen.
which he outlines his plans for the government
OF the island Gen. Davis says:
1T Is due to the people OF Porto Rico that the
commanding general. who also exercises the
functions Of Military Governor. should make
public announcement Of the general features
OF the policy he is pursuing and intends to
pursue touching the affairs Of government In
this island.
While an arbitrary government over any
territory Included within the United States 10
not contemp plated by the American constitu-
ton and laws. under those laws It Is impossible
to supply any other form OF governmental con-
troll than the military over territory conquered
by the armies OF the Union. until Congress
shall BY suitable enactme emit determine and fix u
form OF civil government for such conquered
territory. 1t is tho unanimous recommends
ton OF the ten members OF two advisory boards
on governmental reforms-com posed eKclu-
slvely OF distinguished citizens OF Porto Rico
that as regards the present organization OF tho
civil branch OF the military government the
system existing ought to he radically changed
in some respects. The changes that have
already been made. and those now intended.
will supply for the island form OF government.
as respects Its superior branches. that will ulti
mately be merged into the territorial form. as
heretofore applied in the United States to those
portions Of the national domain that are in the
transition stage or one preparatory to full
ats md In In hn Mai al
Union.
Tho territorial government. when organ
lied by Congress. may be expected to consist
OF Governor. a Legislature. a Judiciary, a
Secretary OF State. an Attorney General. q
Treasurer, an Auditor. n Bureau OF Public
Works. q Bureau OF Agriculture. a Board OF
Prisons Board OF Health. Board Of Chart
ties. and few minor branches.
Tho Judiciary may be expected to consist
OF Supreme Court. District or Circuit Courts
and Primary or Probate Courts. there being a
Circuit Court for each judicial District.
Tho political divisions in tho island would.
following United States practice. be counties
or provinces and towns or municipalities. The
government proper would consist OF throe CO.
equal though independent branches. viz: The
executive. the legislative and the judicial. All
administrative officers and heads OF boards
and bureaus would report direct to the gov
ernor.
As Congress has as yet taken no m ensures or
action respecting Porto Rico the supreme
Government 10. under the constitution. vested
In the President OF the United States as
Commander in Chief OF the army and navy
Ho has designated general officer to
represent him and to perform the functions Of
civil government. Every step taken by the
commanding general in changing the existing
order Of things has for it's ultimate. and. in
decd. it's primary object. the adaptation OF the
laws and administration to suit the change
that must soon como and which all DESIRE
that TO- complete territorial autonomy.
The effect OF the orders issued and tho
changes resulting therefrom tends directly to
harmonizing the existing system and that to
como with territorial autonomy when ordered
by Congress. Then tho military governor
will give plaoe to civil governor. the solicit
tor general to an attorney general. the Judi
cial board will disappear and the courts will be
supreme in their respective spheres. The
provisional United States court will
be replaced by court created by
Federal legislation. Tho governor will
have legisature-senate and house OF repre-
sentatives-to regulate his actions. to make
laws for the people and to control expendi-
lures. Tho treasurer. auditor and various
bureau chiefs. all reporting directly to the gov
ernor. and indirectly to tho legislature, will
continue. But another change Is necessary to
carry forward the transformation and adapt it
to the system which all thinking men expect
and desire. Complete autonomy for munich
palitles Is very greatly to be desired and is in
tended to be instituted as rapidly as possible
tho governments OF the towns to be as indie
pendent as they are in tho United States. but
at present a bad economic state exists in many
municipalities. All tho towns need assistance
to extrioate them from their difficulties, and
for this help their appeals are very numerous
"A very considerable portion OF the q opula-
ton calls for the institution OF changes that
may confer self-government and full auton-
omy. 1t 10 believed that tho course being pur-
sued will lead directly to that end by the most
expeditions means possible. When tho NUM-
oipalities or towns shall have demonstrated
their capacity and ability to govern
themselves. as do all orderly and
w-abiding communities. tho first and
most important advance toward insular
autonomy will have been taken. It 10 the
wish and intention OF the Military Governor to
rapidly furnish an opportunity. through care
fully and honestly regulated elections, for the
municipalities TO govern themselves. and he
promises to all towns absolute freedom from
superior restraint as soon as their govern
principles OF law. equity and absolute justice.
Tho files In the ONCE Of the Comma nding
General are now full OF complaints alleging
dishonest. corrupt and unlawful municipal
administration in many towns. Inyestiga-
tons made by impartial officers have unfor-
tunately justified the complaints In many
cases. The law abiding people OF Porto Rico
cannot expect or wish that the military gov.
eminent should cease and the towns be left in
tho chaos that some Of them WERE and, it is
feared. still continues.
"A general plan for municipal elections has
been resolved upon. by means Of which edu-
Gated mon and business interests OF the island
nay have expression. This has been explained
to the accredited leader Of each OF the political
parties. and both these gentlemen have as
sured me OF their hearty approval and support
OF tho proposal to hold municipal elections in
the manner indicated. II all their adherents
will act according to the dictates OF justice and
equity. there will soon be installed In oil towns
municipal governments really representing
the will OF the people"