Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-09-20
PRESIDENT MKIN[EY'S LETTER ACCEPT ING Tho

dren. and. with thrift and economy, lay
something by for the days Of infrmity and
Old age.
Practical civil service reform has always
had the support and encouragement Of the
Republican party. The future OF the merit
system Is safe In Its hands.
During the present ad ADMINISTRATION as oc-
casions have arisen for modification OF
amendment In the existing civil service law
and rules. they have been made. Important
amendments were promulgated by executive
order under date Of May %, 1899. having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination Of certain places in
volylng fduciary responsibilities or duties
Of a strictly confidential, scientific or execn-
tive character, which II was thought might
better be dlled by nOncompetitiye ami
ton or by other tests OF fitness In the dis
creticn of the appointing officer.
Value of Merit System.
It is gratifying that the experience Of more
than a year has vlndlcatsd these changes IN
the marked improvement; OF the public ser
vice.
The merit system, as far as practicable.
is made the basis for appointments TO OF
flee In our new territory.
The American people IRE profoundly CRATE
ful 10 the soldiers, sailors and marines who
have In every time Of ccnfict fought their
country's battles and defended its honor.
The survivors and the widows and orphans
Of those who have fallen are Justly entitled
10 receive the generous and consIderate care
OF the nation.
Few are now left OF those who fought In
the Mexican war, and while many of the
veterans OF the Civil War are still spared, 10
us their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and inurmity are increasing their de
pendence. These, With the soldiers Of the
Spanish war, will not be neglected by their
grateful co~untryment. The pension laws
have been liberal. They should he justly
administered. and will be. Preference
should be given to the so diers, sailors and
marines, their widows and orphans. with
respect TO employment in the public ser
vice.
Kept Faith with Cuba.
We have been In possession Il Cuba since
the first OF January, 1899. We have re.
stored order and established domestic tran
q~uilllty. We have fed the starving, clothed
the naked, and minIstered to the sick. We
have Improved the sanitary condition Of the
island. We have stimulated industry, in
troduced public education, and taken a full
and comprehensive enumeration Of the In
habitants.
The qualification Of electors has been set
tied and under IL officers have been chosen
for all the municipalities OF Cuba. These
local governments are now in operation, ad.
mlnistered by the people. Our military es-
tabllshment has been reduced from $4,000
to less than 5000.
An election has been ordered 10 be held on
the 18th OF September under a fair election
law already tried in the municipal elections,
TO choose members OF a constitutional con-
v~ention, and the convention, by the same
order, Is to assemble on the nrst Monday of
November to frame a constitution upon
which ali Independent government for the
island will rest. All this is a long step In
the fulfllment OF our sacred guarantees to
the people Of Cuba.
Plans for Porto Rico.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title as
he Philippines. The treaty Of peace which
coded us the one conveyed 70 us the other.
Congress has given to this island a govern
ment in which the Inhabitants participate,
elect their own legislature, enact their own
local laws, provide their " system OF tax.
alton, AMI in these respects have the same
power and privileges enjoyed by other terri.
tories belonging to the United States and a
much larger. measure Ct self-government
than was given to the inhabitants OF Louisi-
ana under jefferson. A district court Of the
United States for Porto Rico has been estab-
llshed and local courts have been inaugur.
ated, all Of which are In operation.
The generous treatment OF the Porto
Ricans accords with the most liberal thought
OF our own country and encourages the best
aspirations Of the people OF the island.
While they do not have instant free com
mercial intercourse with the United States,
Congress complied with my recommendation
by removing, on the LIST day OF May last,
IS per cent OF the duties and providing for
the removal OF the remaining Is per cent
on the LIST Of March, 1902, or earlier IL the
legislature OF Porto Rico shall provide local
revenues for the expenses OF conducting the
government.
Island Is Profted.
During this intermediate period Porto
$1,000 PANNANNo NShiihk iuAO tue JnlIeQ
States pay a tariff OF Is per cent of toe rates
under the Dingley act and our goods going
to Porto Rico pay a like rate. The duties
thus paid and collected both In Porto Rico
and the United States are paid to the gov.
eminent of Porto Rico and no part thereof
Is taken by the national government.
All Of the duties from Nov. 1, 1895, to June
80, 1900, aggregatlng the sum Of 50, $50.
523.21, paid at the custom houses in the
United States upon Porto Rican products.
under the laws existing prior to the above
mentioned act Of Congress. have gone into
the treasury Of Porto Rico to relieve the
destitute and for schools and other public
purposes. In addition to this, we have ex.
pended for relief. education and improve.
ment OF roads the sum OF 81, 5l3, W .95.
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force In the
islands has been reduced from II. BOO "a
l,5oo, and native Porto Rlcans constitute for
the most part the local constabulary.
Under the new law and the i~naueurotion
OF civil government there has been a graft.
Il