The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-03-30
PORTO RICO.

n low uhyS uSO tCA eiOuosehN L WV
Ricans, headed by the San Juan
Chamber of commerce, appeared at
the palace of the Governor general
and submitted petition in reference
to the needs of the island. This petit
ton set forth in such detail the unfor-
tunate condition of affairs there that
we quote from it as the very best of
proof that it is "our plain duty" to do
as the President recommended in his
message and to do it quickly.
After telling of the almost absolute
state of perjury which prevails and
will be aggravated by further indie
cision of Congress, they urge some ac-
ton, no matter what, and gives these
additional reasons for their prayer:
The urgent necessity of a final set
Element of the question as means OF
saving to their owners, mostly men OF
small means, the sugar and tobacco
crops, which would pass under the
control of spectators, if a conclusion
is not soon reached, this being the
time for planting new crops, and a
failure to act promptly being also cal
culated to have most prejudicial re-
suits.
The distress and alarm that are daily
becoming more harassing in all
branches of trade, owing to the virtual
lack of a fixed and definite standard
for transactions, and the grave appre-
tensions as to the future, now SO gen.
orally entertained by all merchants.
The absence of buyers of products,
which, with the loss of their former
market, as a consequence of the new
regime, are now at a practical stand
still.
Tho enormous depreciation of prop
erty, more especially on plantations
and the ruin staring q majority of the
planters in the face as a result of the
unnatural uneasiness which has made
itself felt among capitalists and loan
institutions leading them to curtail or
to shut off entirely the credit neces
sary in moving crops.
The lack of power as we'll as the
absence of credit to contract d loan for
the relief of most of the present ne
cessities and the development of re-
sources.
The need of undertakings of pub
lie nature instead of relief supplies
which, although necessary, tend to
make paupers of the working classes.
The outrage which is now being
perpetrated upon these wretched
people by the Republican party will
go down to civilization as a blot on
the history OF the United States. The
reason for it is very patent OF course,
but how the people can stand by
without protest and see this done
passes all reason.
For the promise of liberal donation
to the campaign fund, Mckinley has
experienced a change of heart, and
now denounces any one rs disloyal
who dares oppose this measure.
We cannot and do not believe that
the voters will ta,nely submit to this
violation of the Constitution and the
consequent harm which is attendant
by the suffering entailed on the Porto
Ricans. Can any one blame the Fill
pionos for continuing the insurrection
when they see what submission has
cost their sister colony. The present
government policy is the beginning of
the end. The only way that our Re-
public can be saved is to change the
administration at Washington. The
way to get rid of the evil is to destroy
the root. This can not be done at the
present time, but Mark Hanna's pow
ers can be greatly curtailed if the
country would elect a President who
would not be his tool. With Demo
cratic President in the White House
the work will be well begun, and while
several years must elapse before the
the vicious legislation we have had
fastened upon us can be repealed, yet
with the head of the nation right the
rest must necessarily follow. Let
every Democrat work as he never did
before bury internal dissension and
with an unbroken front sweep every
obstacle standing between right and
victory.