The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-02
PORTO RIChNS LOTAL.
The Insular Commission Recommends Local
Self.GoYernment for the Island.

WASHINGTON. June The Insular Com
mission appointed by the War Department to
investigate affairs OF Porto Rico. and to report
upon all matters relating to currency. laws.
taxation. judiciary, public improvements. ed
ucation. and civil affairs generally has made
its report to the Secretary Of War The report
speaks Of the loyalty and devotion Of the peo-
pie to their new country. and says they are
very solcitous to become and be regarded as
part thereof. All classes and conditions are
ready and willing To accept American institu-
tions. and to be content with them. They ask
that American institutions be given them. and
quickly relieve them OF the oppressive laws
and systems which have so long been the plan
OF Spanish rule.
The population Is estimated at from 1000
to 1.O0o.OO0 Tho people are very Industrious
and willing to work If an opportunity is given.
In every instance employers speak In the
highest commentator OF them as workmen.
1t is estimated that fully 80 per cent OF the
population can neither read nor write. al
though they are very bright and intelligent
and are very an xious to have extended to them
the opportunities for education.
While the people are poor. there is no danger
OF starvation as the island is so rich and pro-
duces 80 much tropical fruit Of oil kinds that
II is almost impossible to starve a people on
is largely a continuation OF the old civil gov
eminent under Spanish rule. The commits
| sion reports that IL Is too elaborate. expensive
and complicated to be continued. and will rec
ommend a new system Of government more
after the form Of those in the United States,
The report recommends that the Spanish
bank bills be redeemed. and that the bank be
no longer permitted to issue currency: that as
W. be- snppSneG ne
states currency. and that the exchange be
i made at the expense of Porto Rico; that the
early date. to be fixed by the President, to be
suppantcd by United States currency;
1t recommends division OF the island into
districts CORRESPOND ing with counties in the
United States, with local government and
o. sHe r nc for the
local affairs. all to be regulated by laws which
shall require careful estimates and ludicious
in the United States
1T recommends complete separation OF
1t also recommends a reformation OF the
courts upon the plans OF courts n the United
states also the es,S1ishimsent OF Federal raj
the island. which shall have original jurisdic-
ti92nn upon various questions
IT recognizes vested rights upon the, island
and proposes methods to care for and main
tain them.
It recommends that special measures, be
taken, for, the purpose Of establishing public
schools. the building OF schoolhouses and the
employment OF competent teachers IN them:
1t recommends in general the establishment
in the United States
In regard to concessions and franchises the
commission recommends such generous set
Element Of the question as will encourage the
investm ent Of moneys in the way OF building
| railroads and other public improvements OF all
kinds. all to be regulated in such manner as
shall be to the best interest OF the people Of the
| island. and all to be under Govern ment con-
| troll. such concessions to be granted only after
| proper advertisement In newspapers in Porto
| Rico and the United States. and then sold to
| the highest bidder at public sale. The report
| shows the temperature OF the island in four
| months of American occupancy-the high
| est recorded was 80 the lowest in December
| $50. The mean temperature was 49, the
| greatest range 169. the lowest s.. the total
| rainfall being 80 inch.
The report recommends that the marriage
and divorce laws OF the island be remedied &C
| that marriages must he performed. and re-
| curing husband and wife and those now liv.
| ing together to make record OF their cohabta.
| ton. and giving children the power to make
proof of same. and legitimitizing all such mar
| riages. with the issue thereof.
The commission also suggests the abolition
| Of the system of paying pensions to officers OF
| the civil government upon the island or their
| descendants: that the postal and military tele
| graph now upon the island. the property OF the
| Government be continued as Il part and pal r
eel Of the postal service: that the insane on
the island be gathered into one general hos
pital under the charge OF the State. to he cared
| for at Government expense. and that a census
be taken OF the island at as early date as pos
sible