The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-02

Now sir, TO you, the first Governor
named for the post by the President, IN
pursuance to the act of Congress. / have
the high honor and proud satisfaction to
deliver TO your keeping the government OF
Porto Rico
GOVERNOR ALIENS INAUGURAL.
Governor Allen took the oath of Office at
1890 a. M. under a flag canopy at the ex-
ecutive mansion. His inaugural address
follows:
'At this impressive ceremony bring to
you, the inhabitants OF the ever faithful
Island of Porto Rico. the congratulations
and good wishes of the people of the United
States
Imposing as the occasion is I'm itself. and
far-reaching its effect may be upon the
future of your beautiful island, IL is es-
pecially significant because II marks the
first step in the establishment here of civil
government under the flag of the United
States of America, and with the blessings
and opportunities that go with it,
"A new page has been turned in the
volume of your history and a new era in
augurated in the development of your
island. Whether 1t shall turn out well or
Ill now depends largely upon yourselves
The greatest constitution makers only
lay the foundation. The building of the
superstructure. whether or not IL shall be
stately, beautiful and enduring, must rest
upon the industry and wisdom OF the peo-
pie themselves.
"The governmental plan presented in
your care ii is committed. and you to-day
assume a great trust. No greater work
ever confronted people than that of
building their own fortunes. IL will stimu-
late you also to bear in mind that a great
nation of seventy millions of people across
the water, yet close at hand in community
of thought and interest. Is watching your
every effort, ready TO help you and TO assist
you TO help yourselves.
"Fellow-citizens of Porto Rico-for, as |
have taken the oath or Office here to-day.
so from this time become one of you i'm
my endeavor to work with you and for
you in all that tends to the true interests
of the island-I bring this message from
the President and | place myself in full
accord with il, that IL is his intention to
give to you, so far as all officers are con-
cerned, whether selected from your own
| numbers or from the United States. men of
character and standing, who
thusiastic and diligent and Industrious
men Of high sense of honor. who will not
seek to advance their fortunes at
your expense, and who will not allow
others to do so; men who will see that jus
tice ana straightforward honesty will be
meted cut 10 all, and who will have a sole
regard for the welfare of Porto Rico and
the honor of the American government in
its relations to it.
"If in working out the provisions of the
act of Congress which enables you to par
ticipate in the government and to provide
your own legislative assembly you are ac-
tuated by the same purpose TO elect men
who are devoted to the general interests of
| the island and the people of Porto Rico, we
may confidently expect that, thus working
| richly blessed by Divine Providence in
| its wonderful natural resources, not only
another gem of the Antilles in respect TO
natural beauty but an example OF what an
| industrious and honest people may accom-
| plish when properly directed by a wise
policy of civil government.
II bring you also the assurance that
every man, be he high or low. rich or poor.
under the administration of this form of
government and under the sovereignty OF
| the United States. shall be justly treated,
and that his rights shall be respected.
"Henceforth we are under one flag. We
are under the same institutions of freedom,
| equality and education. Together move
| on in the great American current of ad-
vancing civilization. Loving our country,
animated by high sense of honor, devoted
| to a common humanity, we take our place
before the world, and invoke on our prog
ress the blessing of Almighty God"
ALL SPEECHES TRANSLATED.
The Inauguration platform was an exten-
sion of the balcony. Among those present
were Rear Admiral Farquhar, commander
in chief of the North Atlantic station
Chaplain Brown. Bishop Bleenk. Judge
| Quinones of the Supreme Court and the
members of that court; Governor General
| Davis, the appointees or yesterday, all the
| foreign consuls, the families of Governors
Davis and Allen. the army and navy off,
GERS and thirty prominent citizens.
! No soldiers were i'm sight. The chief jus
/ tice administered the customary oath to
| support the Constitution of the United
| States. Governor Aliens address, which
was eloquent, was received favorably.
though quietly All the speeches were
translated into Spanish.
Some of the Americans who looked on
commented on an apparent lack Of interest
on the part of the Porto Ricans. This
was probably more apparent than real. In
| any event, any lack of demonstrativeness
| should be attributed to their training for
! four centuries under an oppressive regime.
| which held them in restraint and did not
| allow them free expression of emotion.
| Only now they are beginning to realize the
changed order of things and this in only a
| small degree. A city of $4,000 might have
been expected to turn out large crowd,
| especially as all the business houses were
closed. There was display of national col
| ors from a number of private houses, but
nothing that would compare. for instance.
with the display of holidays and Sundays.
twelve months ago, when Spanish flag
| fioated over every house.
/ dONeTnOr DdFlS ana OlNil tION-
ernor Allen yesterday apparently expected
| a message from Washington advising them
| of the passage by Congress of the resolu-
tion providing for holding over the army
| officials temporarily. None coming i'm the
| afternoon, appointments were made of an
| executive council by Governor Davis be-
| fore retiring from his office at midnight.
| Mr.. Allen was thus enabled to continue the
| conduct of affairs uninterruptedly. He did
| not make public the names of the council,
but ii is understood that Judge Pettingill
| will be secretary of state. Mr.. Odlin attar-
ney general Dr. Cole Toste secretary
| of the interior and G. G. Croft, secretary
| of education. The latter, who is an acting
surgeon with the rank of lieutenant, will
| resign his commission.
| General Davis, presumably on orders
| from Washington, yesterday pardoned all
those who were concerned in the Guayama
election frauds. lifting the cases from the
Supreme Court.
| General Davis gave a reception at the ex-
ecutive mansion last evening, introducing
| a hundred persons to Governor Allen and
| Miss Bertha Allen, his daughter. The en-
trance was hung with flags, an infantry
! band was in attendance and there was
| dancing and refreshments.
The $4,000 of United States currency sent
| here to be exchanged for Porto Rican