The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-13

Charles II. Allen, the Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy. whose selection for the
civil governorship of Porto Rico was an
nouneed yesterday, told the President yes
terday afternoon that he would accept the
place. After leaving the White House,
Mr.. Allen said to a reporter:
1T is true that the President has asked
me to go TO Porto Rico as the Civil Gov
ernor. / regard this tender in the spirit
in which it is made as great compli-
ment. although its acceptance means I'M
dertaking grave responsibilities. My own
inclination and my personal interests urge
me to decline; but one should not always
choose the easy way; there is a patriotic
| duty sometimes to be performed. II l
can arrange my affairs in such a way as
to enable me to do so, | shall accept the
position, and l shall then be ready to
start at once for this post of duty.
MY effort will be to administer the gov
eminent provided by Congress in such a
manner as to command and hold the con-
fidence of the people, to help them so far
as | may, to realize the best there is in
them and to assist them in the develop
ment of the island, along the lines which
have made us such prosperous nation.
My deep regret is leaving the Navy De
partment; my service there has been of
the happiest sort, and the attachments
there formed will always remain pleas
ant memory"
Mr.. Aliens nomination will be sent to
the Senate in the next day or two He viii
remain here until Mr.. Long returns, and
will then go to his home, Lowell, Mass. to
arrange his business affairs. President
Mckinley desires Mr.. Allen to go to San
Juan as soon as possible TO consult Briga-
der General Davis. the present Military
Governor of the island. over political,
social, and Industrial conditions there.
When Mr.. Allen has obtained an idea of
the general conditions in Porto Rico, he
will return to Washington to receive per-
sonal instructions from the President,
based on what the new Governor learns IN
the island, unless Mr. Allen decides that
there is no occasion for making the journey
home He will be installed as Governor en-
his arrival in San Juan, relieving General
Davis.
1t is the Presidents intention TO wait a
while before appointing the Executive
Council and other officials for Porto Rico.
Should Mr.. Allen decide to return home for
eonsultion in accordance with the Presi-
dents suggestion, after ascertaining some
thing from General Davis about insular
conditions the Secretary of State will prob
ably be appointed and designated Acting
Governor for the period of Mr.. Aliens abb
senee.
Mr.. Allen is a native of Massachusetts.
He was born in 1913. He served in the
lower house OF the State Legislature for
two years, beginning in 1881, and at the
expiration of that time was elected to the
State Senate He was member of the
Forty ninth and Fiftieth Congresses, and
at the expiration of his last term retired
from politics to resume control OF ex
tensive business interests. He became AS
sistant Secretary of the Navy in 1898, after
the resignation of Theodore Roosevelt.
Mr.. Allen is president OF one bank at
Lowell. director in another and the head
of a large manufacturing establishment.
He is also interested in other enterprises.