Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-01
Less Cumbersome Form of Govern
ment in Porto Rico,
REPORT OF INSULAR COMMISSION
Reorganize heCourts and Establish
a School System.
JAILS AND FRANCHISE

The lnsular commission, appointed by the
War Department to investigate affairs of
Porto Rico and to report upon all matters
relating to currency. laws, taxation, judi
ciary public improvements. education and
civil affairs generally. has made its report
to the Secretary of War.
The report was unanimous and is signed
by all three commissioners. 1t takes up
all the questions separately. discusses them
at considerable length and makes recon-
mcndations thereon
1t speaks of the people of Porto Rico and
their loyalty and devotion to their new
country. and says that they are very solc-
itOus TO become part thereof and be so
garded. All classes and conditions are ready
and willing to accept American institutions,
and TO be content with them. They ask
that they may be given American institu-
items. and quickly relieve them of the op-
pressive laws and systems which have
long been the plan of Spanish rule.
There is much wealth and great intelH
genCe among the more favored classes, and
unbounded hospitality on every hand. There
is also great poverty in the country districts
well as in the CITIES.
The population is estimated at from 500.
Oo1 to 100000 persons. The people are
very industrious and willing to work If
given an opportunity. In every instance
employers speak in the highest cornmenda-
that fully 30 per cent of the population can
neither read nor write, although they are
very bright and intelligent. and are very
anxious to have extended to them the OPP
pOrtunities for education.
A great many of the people are living in
concubinage because the expenses of the
marriage ceremonies. as demanded under
the old Spanish system. We're so great that
they could not afford to secure the permits
and the services of the priests
The commissioners say that the reports
concerning starvation on the island are
without foundation. While the people are
poor there is no danger of starvation, the
island IS so rich and produces so much
tropical fruit OF all kinds that 1t is almost
impossible TO starve people on such an
island.
The present civil government of the island
is largely a continuation of the old civil
government under Spanish rule. The COM
mission reports that it Is too elaborate, ex-
pensive and complicated to be continued
and will recommend a new system of gov
eminent more after the forms of those in
the United States.
The report discusses the question of
finance and the financial conditions of the
country, and says that ii is largely the out
growth of Spanish Institutions. The cur
rency of the country consists of 81 10000
in Porto Rican silver in circulation and
about S1,1pO,OoO in Spanish bank bills To
this there has been added BY reason of
payments to United States soldiers visitors
and investors. perhaps S5,O00O0O more
making the present circulation larger than
what it was prior to American occupancy.
1t recommends that the Spanish bank
DllIs he redeemed, and that the bank be no
longer permitted TO issue currency
1t recommends that as soon as possible
the Porto Rican money which is now in
circulation be supplanted by United States
currency and that the exchange be made
d at the expense of Porto Rico.
Double Standard Confusing
1t says that the double standard upon
which business is now conducted in Porto
Rco-or two standards, one based upon
the American dollar OF 100 cents valuation.
and the other on the Porto Rican peso of
60 cents OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES business and
makes confusion and misunderstanding in
all kinds Of trade and traffic and that il
should be reme6ied as speedily as possible
II recommends that the Porto Rican mon
ey be redeemed at an early date TO be
fixed by the President of the United States
TO be supplanted by United States currency
II makes reference to the municipal gov
ernments Of the island and their extrava-
CANT methods of conducting business the
large amount Of salaries paid to officials
and the small amount accomplished for the
amount II taxation levied upon the people
IL recommends a division Of the country
into districts corresponding with counties in
the United States. with local seIf-govern-
ment, and district officers for the assess
manGCemeut Of local affairs all to be reglI
lated by laws which shall require careful
estimates and judiciOus expenditures, after
the system now prevailing in the United
States
Concessions TO the Highest Bidder.
It discusses the question of concessions
and franchises and recommends such a
generous settlement Of this question as
will Civ to Porto Rico every opportunity
for advancement and Improvement, and
encourage the investment of moneys in
the way Of building railroads and other
public improvements OF all kinds. all to
Re regulated III such a manner as shall
be TO the best interest of the people of
the island. and al! to be under government
control All such concessions TO bf. grant
ed only after proper advertisement in news
papers in Porto Rico and the United States
ana thsn sold TO the highest bidder at pub
nc sale. all to be subject to the control
OF the government of the island and ali
franchises so granted TO be regulated and
directed for the benefit of the people
IL makes report Of the Temperature of
me island showing that in four months
OF American occupancy, during which time
ret'ro OF the temperature was kept by
TIE weather bureau, the highest tempera-
ture was ~, the lowest in December 70
me mean temperature was IS; the greatest
range, 10; the lowest. s, the total rainfall
being So inches
1t discusses the question of religion. and
says mat EFFORTS are now being made to
estdp4lSH emu CneS OF all denOnin 4tiouS
and that the representatives of many de-
nominations are now in Porto Rico for
Ihls purpose and are meeting with encour-
aging success.
Reorganization of Courtx
1t discusses al some length the courts
OF the island and recommends a reforma
ton OF these courts upon the plans of the
courts in the United States giving to
judges Of the first instance jurisdiction
over civil affairs in amount not EXCEEDING
$50, to hear and dispose of minor Of
lenses. take acknow Judgements of certain
Instruments Of writing. &c; the estahIish-
ment Of courts Of ''auGiencia or courts
OF appeal, to which appeal may be taken
from the judges Of the first instance In
both civil and criminal affairs; a reorponi-
cation of the supreme court so that onI,
the more important cases shall be taken
to this court. and only such questions as
usually come before such courts in tbc
different states and territories
1t recommends also the esta bljshr,ep. 90
FEDERAL courts TO be held at three di-ar
ent points on the island who shall bay,
orlslnal Jurisdiction upon all questions