New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-26
JUDGEDALY ON PORTO RICO
THINKS THE PEOPLE ARE INTELLIGENT
AND WANT TO BE AMERICANS.

Ex-Justice Joseph F. DAILY who arrived In New
! York last Saturday from Porto Rico, where he
! served on the Commission to compile and revise
| the laws of Porto Rico that the people there
! are acute. intelligent and law abiding. and that
the country merely needs development for its in
! habitants enjoy sound prosperity.
Judge Daily appointed under an act of Con-
| eress passed last April, to provide temporary
government for the island. When requested yes
terday to tell something about the scope of the
Commissions work and what had been accom-
plished. Judge DAILY said:
The Commission consisted of Senior fernando
Lopez of San Juan; DR.. Leo 8. Rowe, of the Uni
Yersity Of Pennsylvania and myself We held pub
lie hearings in San Juan from September to p.
being two sessions daily, besides conferences
In answer TO question with reference to the
Industrial and social conditions on the island Judge
DAILY said
1t is only necessary TO visit Porto Rico to see
that 1t is rich country, merely needing develop
prosperity. The majority of its people are now
iieve That With steady work at living wages, they
will not be ind4srions and thrifty Ihey are ca a
natured. and the masses are peaceable ana Jaw h
an ne GnK of the
political parties in local factonal disputes. and this
ardent politicians and carry party feeling 10 great
S RE mere In as p an and
in Porto Rico than have ever seen IT elsewhere.
carried to such excessive lengths as to affect the
administration Of the lower executive and judicial
and look to America for a remedy. Any system
viii be Cordially Welcomed by the people Of Porto
Rico, who at the bottom desire nothing so much as
to see their country prosperous and happy
Judge Daily was asked about the work of the Off
Gals appointed by the Federal Government and
said:
found no complaint respecting the government t
Instituted by the United States Government and
in conjunction with natives Of the island, among
whom are to be found men with the highest qualih-
pubic
government instituted by Congress is an honest
government honestly administered. The complaints
which reach America Of official Partially or OPP
still administered on old systems and these com
plants of personal corruption, but OF par
reforms in those Institutions, and prepared to
adopt every suggestion tending to cure prevailing
There is necessarily some uncertainty as to the
by mixture of Spanish statutes. civil codes and
gress known as the Foraker bin. which provides
LOT me present heTIS0Py IN nIace of
the present complicated system.
ning the powers of all the branches Of the govern
ment legislative executive and JUDICIAL Rart bl6
ing race look to the courts as refuge from oppres
crave a well ordered and competent judiciary ele-
waited above all partisan considerations ,-,
If capital is to be induced to invest in the island
and industries to be fostered judicial system
first necessity and this is desired on all sides in the
island. There is a demand, also. for a system OF
island. in order to regulate the burden of taxa
ton give stability to industries and enable munich
pates obtain such credit will enable the
people to raise from their own resources means for
Indispensable local improvements in order to de-
Velop the country.
II is only necessary for American to visit the
island in order to become the friend of the Porto
Rcans II is the principle of both political parties
to seek become a part of the United States, and
all those questions which divide our home poll
tics with respect to our relations with CUBA ana
the Philippines happily eliminated from the
Porto Rican question. The people Of that island
wish to be Americans and enjoy the privileges Of
American citizens.