The sun., 1900-09-18

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 administration as Oc-
casions have arisen for modification or
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
volving f1duciary responsibilities or duties
OF n strictly confidential, scientific or execu-
tive character, which 1t was thought might
better be filled by noncompetitive examlna-
tion or by other tests OF fitness in the dis.
creticn OF the appointing officer.
Value of Merit System.
1t Is gratifying that the experience of more
than year has vindlcated these changes in
The marked Improvement OF the public ser
vice.
The merit system, MS far as practicable,
is made the basis for appointments to of
flee in our new territory.
The American people are profoundly CRATE
full to the soldiers, sailors and marines who
have in every time of conflict fought their
country's battles and defended its honor.
The survivors and the widows and orphans
of those who have fallen are justly entitled
to 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 to
us their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and infrmlty are Increasing their de-
pendence. These, with the soldiers of the
Spanish war, will not be neglected by their
grateful countryment. The pension laws
have been liberal. They should be Justly
Administered, and will be. Preference
should be given to the soldiers 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 of Cuba since
the first Of January. 1909. We have re-
stored order and established domestic tran
Quillity. 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
anu COMPREHENSIVE Ul Lut iH
habltants.
The qualification Of electors has been set.
tied and under It officers have been chosen
for all the municipalities Of Cuba. These
local governments are now in operation ad-
ministered by the people. Our military es
tabishment has been reduced from $4,000
to less than 5000.
An election has been ordered to be held on
the 18th Of September under fair election
law already tried In the municipal elections,
to choose members OF constitutional con-
vention and the convention, by the same
order. is to assemble on the irst Monday OF
November to frame a constitution upon
which an independent government for the
Island will rest. ALI this Is a long step in
the fulhlment OF our sacred guarantees to
the people OF Cuba.
Plans for Porto Rico.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title as
the Philippines. The treaty Of peace which
ceded us the one conveyed to 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 own system of tax.
alton, and In these respects have the same
power and privileges enjoyed by other terri
tories belonging to the United States and a
much larger measure Of self-government
than was given to the Inhabitants OF Lousi-
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
Rcans accords with the most liberal thought
of our own country and encourages the hest
aspirations OF the people OF the island.
While they do not have instant free COM
merclnl intercourse with the United States,
Congress complied with my recommendation
by removing, on the LIST day Of May last,
50 per cent of the duties and providing for |
the removal OF the remaining Is per cent |
Oh the list OF March. 1907 or earlier II the |
legislature of Porto Rico shall provide local |
revenues for the expenses OF conducting the !
government.
Island Is Profited.
During this intermediate period Porto
Rican products coming into the United
States pay a tariff of 15 per cent of the rates
inder the DinGcy act and our goods going
% Porto Rico pay like rate. The duties
hus paid and collected both in Porto Rico
md the United States are paid to the gov
$ taken by the national government.
All of the duties from Nov. /, 1898. to June
20, 1900, aggregating the sum OF S3,a50.-
i2321, paid at the custom houses in the
United States upon Porto Rican products,
inder the laws existing prior to the above
act of Congress, have gone into
he 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
nent Of roads the sum OF Si,5130S4.95.
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force In the
stands has been reduced from 1000 to
500, and native Porto Ricans constitute for
he most part the local constabuIary.
Under the new law and the inauguration
VI civil government there has been n graft
wing revival OF business. The manufacturers
II Porto Rico are developing; her Imports
ire increasing; her tariff is yielding in
reascd returns; her fields are being culti.
'ated free schools are being established.
the many emharrassments
Incident to a change of national conditions,
hc is rapidly showing the good effects OF
Ter new relations to this nation.
For the sake of full and intelligent under
tandlng of the Philippine question and to
i've to the people authentic information OF