The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-26

The resolution introduced by Senator
Foraker. with the amendments attach
ed, which has passed the house, Is
scarcely inferior In Importance to the
original Puerto Rico bill. The desper-
ate night made by Democrats against
that in the interest of free trade and
anti-expansion prevented the careful
study OF its provisions with reference
to- their immediate adaptation to con-
ditions existing in Puerto Rico that
would otherwise have been had. AS a.
consequence, the Puerto Rico bill was no
sooner law than It was seen to need
experimenting in two important partfcu-
lars.
The first of these IL the granting Of
formal permission to continue military
officials in places that they now hold
until such time as successors to
them can be appointed from civil life.
Strictly speaking. every Office in the ad-
ministration OF Puerto Rico would be-
come vacant Immediately upon the as
sumption by Gov. Allen of his duties.
The civil system supersedes the mill
tary. Army officers who have been in
charge of important places must give
way at once. And this would require
the governor. at the outset and before
he had familiarized himself with men or
with the situation. to fill these places
with such material as might come TO
hand. The necessary consequences would
be many mistakes and many inferior
appointments. BY allowing military APP
pointees TO retain their places until their
successors are named. good government
4 is assured and the executive has time
! to make wise selections for future re-
sponslbilltles.
Even more important were the amend
Z ments TO the resolution. relating to the
I granting Of franchises and the restric-
tons TO be placed upon corporations op.
Grating in the island OF Puerto Rico.
Doubtless no harm would have resulted
/ II the bill as passed had been allowed TO
stand. The power to grant franchises is
I vested in the governor and his council,
/ and we cannot imagine Gov. Allen con-
senting TO any abuse OF the privilege. At
/ the same Time this system OF govern-
ment for Puerto Rico Is designed 10 las
I for years TO come There may not al
ways be an Allen In the governors
chair. There viii be ceaseless attempt
on the part Of capital 10 obtain con-
cessions special privileges and vested
( rights in fieid 80 new and so promiS-
ing. II Ia best, la such cases, 20 begin
az the beginning. and to make impos-
siele the accusation that we intend 10
permit the exploitation Of these islands
for corporate advantage or personal
profss Therefore the adoption Of Ger.
tain restrictions including the approval
of the president as condition to the
Validity of any franchise was the wise
aud nSeessary course.
( Again We hold up the action o. the
Republican majority in congress as the
sufficient reputation OF the vile charges
that Mr.. Bryan is scattering over thu
country, From first to last. the whole
intent OF this administration has been
to give to our new possessions the best
government possible. and TO safeguard
them against both the asgressions u
others and their own mistakes. Per-
haps there was no point more important
- guard than the granting OF fran
cstses. upon which monopoly may be
| bSlit- Were IL true that the Repu hlicaa