The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-04-19
He Signs the Bill Which Makes
Him the Islands Dictator.
HIS POWER IS ABSOLUTE.
People Have no Voice 10 Their Govern
ment--- Measure Will Go Into Ef'
feet on the First Day of May

ment bill, and thereby became abso
lutte ruler of the island.
Because he appoints the governor
and the executive council, the higher
branch of the island legislature, a
majority of whom may be citizens OF
the United States
Because the governor has the veto
power to stop any legislation which
the president may not approve.
Because the granting of all fran
chises in the islands lies in the hands
of the executive council.
Because the people are taxed with
out representation in congress, and
with representation in the controlling
branch of the insular government
only at the pleasure of the president.
Because every appointive office
under the insular government is filed
by men selected by the officers, who
are appointed by the president.
Because the people are allowed only
TO elect the members of the house of
delegates and one commissioner to
the United States
A summary of the officers appoint
ed by the president for the terms of
four years:
A governor at 5000 year.
A secretary of the council at 81 900
ayear.
An attorney general at $4,000 "A
year.
An insular treasurer, s., 900 year,
An auditor at 81 900 year.
A commissioner of the interior at
$4,000 "A year.
A commissioner OF education at
$4,000 a year.
A chief Justice of the supreme court
at S. 900 year.
Four associate justices of the su
preme court at 81, 500 year each.
A marshal OF the supreme court at
$4,000 year
A United States district Judge at
$4,000.
A United States district attorney
at 81 600 year.
A United States district marshal at
$4,000 year.
Three members of commission to
codify the laws of the island at s., 900
year each.
Five members OF the executive
council, whose salaries are to be fixed |
by the Puerto Rican legislature
Elected by the Puerto Ricans, for
terms OF two years:
One commissioner to the United |
States at 5000 year.
Thirty-fve members OF the house
of delegates, who will be paid s. a
day when in session
TARIFF PROVISIONS.
A duty OF Is per cent of the Dingley
tariff rates upon all articles dutia BILE
under existing laws imported into
the United States from Puerto Rico
and from the United States into
Puerto Rico. The duties upon goods
from foreign countries entering Puerto
Rico are made the same as those lev
led upon goods entering United
States. except coffee. Coffee enters
the United States free, but to import
into Puerto Rico tax OF ) cents a
pound must be paid.
By this bill, which passed the house
OF representatives yesterday and was
signed by President Mckinley late
this afternoon, "a government as des-
potic as any of the absolute mon
arches OF Asia will be foisted upon
the unfortunate island beginning the
first of next month
There We're present at the white
house this afternoon when the bill
was signed, besides the president.
Secretary Root, Secretary Gage, At
torney General Griggs, Senator For
aker, who, at the Presidents request
drew up the civil government provi-
sions of the law; Senator Allison.
Speaker Henderson, Representatives
Grosvenor, Payne and several Others
OF less Importance. No member of
the Puerto Rican delegation was
present.
The bill will go into effect on May /
l, and the appointment of the Off
c. ais who are to govern the island
most probably viii be made before
that date. Under the provisions OF
the bill. these appointees need not
be Puerto Rieans. There is nothing
in the law to prevent the appoint