The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1900-04-18

"Ihe capital shall be at San Juan. Per
sons who were Spanish subjects on April
IL, 1899, and who have not elected TO
preserve their allegiance 10 Spain, are
held TO be citizens of Puerto Rico, and
entitled to the protection OF the United
States"
The designation of the body polite is
under the name, "The People of Puerto
Rico"
The laws and ordinances of Puerto
Rico now in force shall continue in full
force and effect, except az altered by
this act or by military orders, and which
are not inconsistent with the laws Of the
United States.
The old law forbidding the marriage
of priests and ministers is repealed.
The vessels OF Puerto Rico are TO be
nationaljzed and admitted to the benefits
of the United States cossting laws. Quar-.
antine stations are to be established.
Puerto Rico coin is to bs rated, the peso
being rated at 6 oc in the exchange.
Three months after the act takes effect
Puerto Rican coins are not to be legal
tender. Property usually under the
control of the United States will so con-
tinue, and other properties acquired from
Spain will be administered by the Puer-
to Ricsn Government. The Governor
is TO be appointed by the President and
hold his Office for four years, having the
powers conferred on Governors OF terri
tories of the United States, but he is to
make his reports through the Secretary
ofState to the President.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
An executive council, appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Sem
ate, will consist of Secretary,
Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor,
Commissioners of Interior and Educa-
ton. and five other persons, to hold of
fee for four years. The council is the
upper branch of the Legislature, five OF
whom shall be natives OF Puerto Rico.
The other branch shall be a House Of
Delegates, to consist of thirtY-fve men,
bers, elected annually by the qualified
electors.
Puerto Rico is divided into seven dis
tricts, each with FIVE delegates. The
qualifications for voters are: "At such
elections all citizens OF Puerto Rico shall
be allowed TO vote who have been bona
fide residents for one year, and who pos
sess the other qualifications of voters
under the laws and military orders in
force on March l, 1900, subject TO such
notifications and additional qualifca-
tons and such regulations and restric-
tions as to registration as may be pre-.
scribed by the executive counci.
"No person shall be- eligible TO men,
bership in the House OF Delegates who
is not 20 years of age, and able TO read
and write either the Spanish or the Eng
lish language, or who is not possessed in
his own right of taxable property, real
or personal, situated in Puerto Rico"
Provision is made for enacting legela-
ton similar TO that in other territories.
The judicial power is vested in courts
already established, the Chief Justice
and Associate Justices and Marshal to
be appointed by the President; judges Of
the District Courts and other officers by
the Governor OF Puerto Rico. There 10
also United State District Court, SINH
lar 10 that of other territories.
The annual salaries OF all officers APP
pointed by the President are: Governor,
$1,000; Secretary, Attorney General, Au-
ditor, COMMISSIONER of the Interior,
$4,000 eacb Treasurer, $4,000; Commits
sioner of Education, $4,000; Chief Justice
OF the Supreme Court and United States
District Judge $1,000 each; Associate JUS
tees, $4,000 each; two Marshals, each,
$4,000; District Attorney, $4,000
No export duties are 10 be collected,
but taxes and licenses may be levied.
On the regular election day in Novem-
Der, and every two years thereafter,
Puerto Rico may choose commissioner
to represent the island at Washington,
D. O., with salary Of $4,000.
A commission OF three members, one a
native OF Puerto Rico, is to be named to
revise and codify the laws of Puerto
Rico. ~
The act for civil government is to go
into effect by May l, 1900.