Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-12-08

easily understood. see no reason why
more complete form Of territorial or
lowing the precedent established In the
year 1905, when a temporary government
territory, then known under the name OF
Louisiana, IL seems TO me that IL would
be advantageous to confer greater execu-
tive power upon the governor and 10 estab-
lish. as was done In the case Of the terri
tory of Louisiana, "A legislative council
having power TO adopt ordinances which
shall extend to all the rightful subjects
Of local legislation, such ordinances not
TO take effect until reported to and ap.
proved by the congress II in session, ana
II that body is not In session then by the
president. In this r. amer system oil laws
providing for the corporation aud gov
tain population, ENHg them the power
TO establish and maintain system OF ed
ucation TO be locally supported, and ordi-
nances providing for police sanitary and
other such purposes could be speedily
believe a provision Of this kind would
be satisfactory to the people Of the terri
tory 1t Is pro6a5le that the area ,,o Is too
transitory TO make II wise at the present
| time 10 provide foc on elective legislative
| body, but the conditions calling for local
self-government VIII undoubtedly, very
soon exist and will be facilitated by the
measures which have recommended.
Porto Rico.
! For Porto Rico he advises legislation that
VIII give them a temporary form OF gov
| eminent. recounts the work done by the
military government now in control, and
! makes the following recommendat tons:
IL 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 Span
! tsh 1VCrci snty. The markets or ~. "a T. 2 70
! closed to her products except upon terms
10 which the commerce OF all nations IS
subjected. The island of Cuba which used
| 10 buy her cattle and tobacco without GUS
! toms dutles, now imposes the same dutles
I unon those products as from any other
/ country entering her ports sne mas t here
| fore lost her free Intercourse with Spain
and Cuba without any compensating bene-
! fits In this market Her coffee was little
known ana not IA use by our people, and
this one OF her chief products. The mar
kets Of the United States should be opened
abolish all customs tariffs between the
! United states and Porto Rico and give her
/ products free access TO our markets
IS rcSuir OF the hurricane Wnlcm sW 800
over 100000 people were reduced TO abso-
lutte destitution, without homes, and de-
prived Of the necessaries Of life To the
! appeal Of the war department me PEOPLE or
the United States made prompt and gener-
| Gus response In addition 10 the private
charity Of our people the t, war qep3hr I Ss
tressed s392.S42.6S. which does not include
the cost of transportation. ...
1t is desirable that the government Of the
| island under the law Of belligerent right,
now maintained through the executive de-
partment should be superseded by an adj
/ minis q l.CH t44t4lti9 CIV All iN0
For present purposes | recommend that
! congress pass a law for the organization or
vide for the appointment by the president.
subject 10 confirmation by the senate, or
governor and such other ofhcers as me
general admin istration OF the island may
require, and that for legislative purpc seS
on subjects of local nature not partaking
C rCose9 ne ~, ~ Porto Ricare ard
partly OF citizens Of the United States shall
be nominated and appointed by the presi-
n mt firm
ate their acts to be subject 10 the approval
Of the congress or the president prior to
other local subdivisions recommend mat
the principle of local self-government pc
applied at once so as to enable ne lnteli
gent citizens of the island TO participate IN
their own government and TO learn by
practical experience the out ana
requirements of a selt-contairtn ana
thought It wise 20 commit the entire
government of the island TO officers select
IN habits. training and experience they are
such a. to lit them TO exercise at once SO
large a degree Of self government, but IL
Is my Judgment and expectation that they
will soon arrive at an attainment OF expert
ercc ard wisdom and self-control that VIII
Justify comforting upon them mucn
isTger participation In the choice Of their
irsular officers
Education Is Needed.
The fundamental requirement for these
people, as for all people is cducatlon: Inc
ern educational methods care however,
must be exercised that changes be not
made too abruptly and mat me history ana ma
be given due weight. systems OF educa-
ton in these new possessions founded upon
! common-sense methods. adapted 10 eX-
isting conditions and looking to the future
movement and industrial advancement OK
preecuiiar!y effective manner the blessings Of
free government.
The Civil Service.
Changes in the working of the civil service
provisions are explained, and Of the
! Some Of ne .uciusious were found wholly
illogical ard unsuited to the work of the
2 me rules "a many cf the places so Included
2 was found to result in friction AID m
: ful consideration it became evident 10 the
heads of the departments respons bic for
thhese difficulties and promote an efficient
and harmonious administration certain
amendments were necessary These amend
tive order dated May 29, 1899.
: The principal purpose of the order was to
J except from competitive examination GER
: tain places involving fiducary responsible
tiles or duties of a strictly confidential,
scientific or executive character, which II
US thought might better be filled either
by non-competitive examination, or in the
3 discretion of the appointing o li man
Comparatively few in number. The, order
! provides for the filling Of much larger
~
: arvice of the war department. by what Is
.nown as the registration system, under
> Equations to be approved by the pres
, idsnt' similar to those which have pro-
: duced such admirable results in the navy
yard service
r Objects of Amendments.
All of the amendments had for their
vain object a more efficient and satisfac-
torv administration of the system Of APP
e nointments established by the civil service
law The results attained show that under
r their operation the public service has inn
proved and that the civil service system
is relieved of many objectionable features
which heretofore subjected ii TO just crit
icism and the administrative officers to the
charge of unbusinesslike methods in the
, conduct of public affairs 1t is believed
that the merit system has been greatly
strengthened and its permanence assured.
: IL will be my constant aim in the admin
istration OF government in our new possess
sions to make fitness character and merit
essential to appointment TO office, ana 70
give to the capable and deserving inhaD-
itants preference in appointments.
The 1ith of December VIII be the one nun
dredth anniversary OF the death or WASH
ington For a hundred years the republic
: has had the priceless advantage OF the lofty
, standard of character and conduct which
Il . ftsnf |