The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-06
PORTO Rico.


PORTO RICO.
A Form OF Government Is RECON-
mcndcd. i
recommend that legislation to Thea
same end be had with reference TO the
government OF Porto Rico. The time Is
| ripe for the adoption of temporary form
OF government for this island. and many
\ suggestions made with reference TO Alaska
are applicable to Porto Rico The system
OF civil Jurisprudence now adopted by the
people of this island Is described ny com
petcnt lawyers who are familiar with II
as thoroughly modern and scientific 80 tar
as It relates to matters of internal bNsl-
ness. trade, production and social and l'rl-
vate rights In general.
The cities OF the island are governed by
charters which probably require little or
no change, SO that with relation TO ma
tiers o. local concern aud pri7A,e right IL
is not probable that much, IL any, leg,sla-
zion Is desirable; but VITA references TO
public administration and the relation OF
the islands to the Federal government.
there gre many matters when are oil press
ing Urgency. Tho same necessity exists
for legislation upon tho part of congress
Ito establish Federal courts and Federal
jurisdiction in the Island as has been pre-
viously set out by me with refsrelce to
Hawaii. Besides the administration OF
Justice are the subjects of the public
lands. the control of rivers and narbuis;
the control OF the waters of streams aot
naygable, which, under the Spanish law,
belonged to the crown of Spain and have
by the treaty OF cesson passed TO the
United States; the immigration OF peul,e
from foreign countries the importation %,
contract labor. the imposition aud collec-
ton OF internal revenue; the application of
the navigation laws. the regulation OF the
currency money. the establishment of
postoftices post roads; the regulation ot
tariff rates on merchandise imported f,om
the Islands into the United States; the eB-
Enlistment OF ports of entry aud delN
cry the regulation of patents and copy
rights. These, With various other eur
1ects which rest entirely within the power
Of congress, call for consideration and ac
ton.
1t must be borne in mird that since the
ceasion Porto Rico has been dcsiod tho
principal markets she has long enjoy ed
and our efforts have beea continued
against her products as when she was un
der Spanish sovereignty. Tho markets of
spain are closed to her products except
upon terms to which the commerce OF all
nations IS subjected. The islaHl OF Cuba
whiot used 20 buy her cattle and tobacco
without customs duties now Imposes tbs
same duties upon these products as from
any otter country entering her ports. Sh,
>, has. therefore, lost her free Intercourse
j., with Spain and Cuba without any com.
: rensatinB hencits in this market lIeI
!, coffee was. little known and not IN lse b,
+, our people. ana, therefore thOre was ne
= demand nero for this one Of her chie
products, The markets of the United
States should be opened To her produng
Our plain duty is 20 abolish all customs
, farms between tho United States aud
Porto Rico and give her products free &c.
cess to our markets.
AS result of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the Sth OF Au-
. gust over 100000 people were reduced TO
absoiute destitution. without homes and
deprived of the necessities OF life. To the
appeal OF the war department. the people
OF the United states made prompt and
generous response. In addition 10 the
private charity OF orr people The war
department has expended for the relief OF
4 the distressed S392.3f2, which does not
Include the cost OF transportation
IL Is desirable that the government on
the island under the law OF bclligerent
rights, LGw maintained through tho lCgis.
II latlye department should he superseded
t by an administration entirely civil In lts
, nature. For present purposes ] recon-
% mend that congress pass law for he or
y ganlzation Of a temporary government
J. which shall provide for the appointment
l. by the president, subject to confirmation
!. other officers as tho general admlnistfa-
n ton Of The island may require and that FOL
'r legislative purposes on subjects or q ioca
= nature not partaking of a Federal char
l. acter. a legislative council composed
D partly of Porto Rcans and partly Of cti'
II zens of the United States. shall 30 nomi-
IL mated and appointed by the president sub
n ject to confirmation by the senate; theiI
"a acts to be subject to the approval OF con
i gress or the president prior to going int
l. effect. The municipalities and other loca
n subdivisions: ! recommend that the prin
:. cIple OF local self government be applied
~ AT once SO as 10 enable the Intelligent
Is citizens OF the island to partake In thei
!. own government and TO learn by practica
"a / experience the duties and requirements o
:, self-contained and eif-goyerning peo
~ pie / have not thought IL wise to connl
the entire government Of the island to Of
u ticers selected by the people. because
30 doubt whether the inhabitants training
j" and experience are such as TO Mt then
TO exercise at once so large degree
!" self government; but II is my judgmen
j. and expectation that they viii soon arriy
is AT an attainment OF experience and wis
ie dom and self control that VIII JUSTLY con
co ferring upon them much larger partici
u patton In their insular offices.
&c The first mental requirement. for thes
at people. as for all people, Is education
Sc the free school house is the best precepto
IS for citizenship. In the Introduction o
o. modern educational methods care. how
,e, ever, must be exercised that changes b
not made too abruptly and that histor
IN and racial peculiarlties Of the nhabitant
re. shall be given due weight. Systems Q
.et education In these new possessions, FOUND
re ed upon common sense methoos. aaap.s
"a 10 existing conditions and looking TO In
a. future Individual advancement OF the PEG
e. pie will commend them in peculiarly Ell
~ fectiye manner the blessings OF free gov
IT, ernment
Try LYNCHINGs.
Is
At u.....,,.a that They Really MuI