New-York tribune., 1900-05-06
NEW LIFE IN PORTO RICO.
MERCHANTS, PLANTERS AND FARMERS
READY TO INVADE THE COM
MERCIAL FIELD.

San Juan. Porto Rico. April 25.-The merchants
planters. farmers-all men engaged in Porto hlcan
industries who have been Withholding operations
pending Congressional action-are now ready to In
wade the commercial field. and shiploads Of sugar
and tobacco will soon be dispatched to the United
States. It is interesting TO note that the retail
prices of cigars will probably soon be raised, the
retail dealers asserting that this step will be neces
sary on account OF the large shipments 10 the
United States. Three steamers leaving here within
the next few days will carry over 6cco tons OF
sugar and about 1,5O0 bales of tobacco.
a Porto Rican paper says:
1t was somewhat a surprise after all the dis;
lengthy consideration which the Foraker bill was
approved by both houses and signed by the Presi-
dent should be crude that its provisions are
might be reasonably expected of the Porto Rico
House OF Delegates when they first try their hand
a ripple of snickering would travel throughout the
their first lesson in practical government But
nevertheless the fact remains that the greatest
tails and some one or ones in Porto Rico will have
10 shoulder the onus OF the mistake. Amt, % q
Z O'clock every military oticer in Porto Rico
hIrS al al anu al at nr fns Of ne crnmen 1T ofces are
insular buildings. All the appointments 10 the
been made by May / and the officials installed by
that time. If Mr. Allen is inaugurated as Governor
on that day he will be the Governor of Porto Rico
with no authority to act except IN concert with
Governor-C eneral Davis will longer be an Of
fetal in power but the most Will have authority
to preserve the peace. with the soldiers under his
command.
Court proceedings stop for want of authority, and
the marshal cannot make arrest. Certain laws
OF the United States in force theoretically but
no man has authority TO compel compliance. and
none OF the machinery of the law to accompany IT,
The American lawyers on the island who are de-
pending on their practice for their daily bread
must needs starVe or else oVeruraW t4elr pahA
accounts. The Provisional Court is dead, and no
session Of the new courts Is provided for until
October The members OF the bar recently pro
tested against the condition OF affairs, and drew
telegram to be sent TO the President. suggest
ing legisa ton to allow the Provisional Court 10 sit
business.
1t is evident that the should have provided
that the present incumbentS should exercise the
duties Of their offices until their successors are ap-
pointed and qualified. It is clear that some Iegsla
ton IS needed 10 relieve the predCameut, and II
Is hoped that 1t Will come in time 10 effect its pur-
pose
Trouble is predicted regarding the exchange OF
the currency. According TO the provisions Of the
law. the Porto Rican currency viii be exchanged
! for American coin the rate Of so cents for
one peso. August I IS the date when the Porto
Rico coin ceases 10 be legal tender. After that
date the banks will refuse accept it, News travels
slowly IN Porto Rico, and il will be impossible 20
exchange all the coin by that date. In many sec
tons to-day United States coins are refused by
small dealers, who recognize money but the
Porto Rico peso II is estimated that not per
cent of the people to-day know that the money is
to change In the sense of the law. Porto Rico
coin ceased to be legal tender after the Occupa-
ton It continues 10 circulate and Il will con-
tnue circulate after August !, for months-pos-
sibly years-so slowly do the people grasp new
schemes In the end, the hOldOVer coin viii be a
white elephant in the hands OF its holders and
its value will be more than its bullion worth.