Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-11
PORTO RICAN CONDITIONS
INTERESTING LETTER FROM COM
MISSIONER w. II. ELLIOTT.
New Tariff Law Endorsed by the PeO-
ple-Dawn of Prosperity and Hap
piness for the Island.
Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

CHICAGO, September 0. 1900
Secretary Heath of the republican ma
ticnaI committee. until recently first assist
ant postmaster general, has just received
letter from Capt. William II. Elliott, at
present commissioner for the department
of the interior of Porto Rico. upon the po-
litical social and commercial conditions of
that island Capt. Elliott went to Porto
Rico In the latter part Of 1893. and was the
first director general of posts for Porto
Rico, and held that office until Porto Rico
became an Independent territory last June,
when he was appointed to his present
position. Capt. Elliott is an experienced
journalist and a keen observer. and write
most Interestingly upon present conditions
and future of Porto Rico.
He states that Porto Ricans read with
unfeigned surprise and open-eyed wonder
In newspapers of the north the fragrant
Instrumentation as to the operation Of
the recently enacted tariff law by our Con-
gress: that there Is no dissatisfaction what
ever existing with that law among the real
residents of Porto Rico, and that, in fact,
all who intend to remain residents of the
island not only indorse their tariff law,
but desire its continuance. In order to af-
ford the island revenues for internal inn
provements, the construction of roads,
drainage. school houses. education. etc. He
continues:
The Civil Appointments.
at goes without saying that the ap-
pointments to be made by the President
under the law were regarded with deep
concern. and in the beginning some i'm
patience was shown over seeming delay.
But. as the names of the appointees were
announced, and it became evident that only
men of high character at home were be-
ing considered and selected. complaints
ceased and everybody was content to await
the exercise of the Presidents Judgment
and discretion. The final completion of the
list of appointments elected general ap-
prevail The regulations of the men named.
both native and American. stand as a
guarantee to the people of an able and
honest administration of the affairs of the
island and the bearing of all classes or
citizens, whatever their political leaning
or bias, toward the new administration Is
that of confidence in its ability and dis
position to restore prosperity to Porto Rico
and bring contentment and happiness to
the inhabitants through the impartial exc
cution of just but liberal laws provided by
the representatives of the people soon to
be elected.
I'm Porto Rico. as in other states there
are politicians, partisans and demagogues;
there are two so-cailed political parties
but live issues are so scarce that neither
organization amounts to more than per-
| scnal following OF an accredited leader
One or the other. however. will hold the
ture, but 1t Is understood that both will
work in harmony with the executive cOun-
Gil.
1.-The period of military government in
just when 1t appeared that the time
of waiting for government to get to-
gether and move on and the APP
preaching harvest of coffee and fruits gave
promise of business revival and plenty for
the poor to eat. the awful hurricane of Au-
gust 8. 1899. came. with death and destruc-
| ton in It's wake. carrying deso,ation and
woe to every part of the island. The his
tory and effects Of that calamity are we'll
known. Suffice 1t for present purposes that
the military government successfully COPIED
with the situation and for year fed the
poor with rations furnished by the War
Department. 1t was noble and generous to
| thus provide for the needs of the people,
but the wisdom of giving without requiring
return in labor admits of grave doubt
Certainly the state of affairs produced by
the policy has added many burdens and
perplexities to the civil government.
Conditions on Inauguration Day.
1.-The conditions above enumerated, and
others. confronted Governor Allen on inau-
guration day. They are yet being wrestled
with. and, at best, will but slowly be over
come. Nevertheless, there has been pro-
gress all along the line. and now that the
furry caused by the exchange IF provincial
money, current only in Porto Rico. for
United States money. as good rs gold the
world over, has practically subsided, and
the commercial community knows where 1t
stands, there are unmistakable signs Of
confidence and renewed life The new gov
eminent now fully equipped with head
of every administrative department, ana
the courts In motion, Is meeting the expec-
tations of the people In every respect. True
its hands are tied by mixture Of old Span
ish laws and military orders. but the exec
utive council Is arranging for the election
of legislature which will be prompt to
take up matters Of importance and enact
some. wholesome laws
1.-The receipts from customs have largely
exceeded the most sanguine expectations OF
the off1cIals: the internal revenue system
has been worked up to a most satisfactory
state of efficiency; the treasury Is always
able to meet every legal demand and yet
show a respectable balance OF cash on
hand and the people are well pleased with
the outlook. Ask an Intelligent Porto RI
can what he thinks of conditions now
compared with the situation under Spantxh
regime: whether 1t Is his opinion that the
people are being swindled In the exchange
Of money. and he will invariably reply that
there Is no ground for complaint or criti-
cism.
"No one--not even q democras-need lose
sleep from worry over his fellow citizens
in Porto Rico. They perfectly understand
the purport and duly appreciate the benc-
Ats possible under the Foraker law. They
fully understand the fact that the future
veal or woe of the island .epeEls upon its
own people They know that they. through
their chosen representatives. are TO iaalso
the laws for their own government. and
they propose to make as few mistakes as
from the thralldom OF Spanish laws rests
with them now and that hy tina axerciaA of