The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-16
CONDITIONS IN PUERTO RICO
GENERAL IMPROVEMENT REPORT
ED ALL ALONG THE LINE.
People Are Satisfied With the Pro-
visions Of the Foraker Law, Un-
der which Conditions Are Much
Better Than Under spaniards.

general has just received a letter from
Capt. William III. Elliott, at present COM
missioner for the department. OF the in
terror. Of Puerto Rico, upon the po-
iitical. social and commercial conditions
OF that island. Capt. Elliott went 70
Puerto Rico in the latter part Of isss
and was the first director general OF
posts for Puerto Rico, and held that Of
fee until Puerto Rico became an inde-
pendent territory last June. when he was
appointed TO his present. position. Capt
Elliott Is an experienced journalist and
a keen observer, and writes most In
terestingly upon present conditions and
the future Of Puerto Rico. He states
that Puerto Ricans read with unfeigned
surprise and open-eyed wonder in the
newspapers of the North the fragrant
the ssr aw ~ our Sr
congress; that there is no dissatisfac-
ton whatever existing with that law
and that, in fact. all who intend to re-
main residents of the island not only
fndorse their tariff law but desire its
continuance. in order TO AFFORD the island
revenues for internal improvements. the
construction of roads, drainage. school
houses. education, etc. He speaks about
The little Dissatisfaction that has been
stirred up on the island as being for
political purposes. and as coming from
spaniards who do not intend to be our
subjects.
spsniards Want Trouble.
Continuing his very interesting letter.
Let IL be borne in mind that material
for the wild and weird stories published
by the Democratic press of the states is
furnished BY Spaniards for the purpose OF
bringing the citizens of Puerto Rico into
disrepute and with the hope, false and
fallacious though II may prove, of weak
ening the efforts being put forth under
the law OF congress to organize an equit-
able civil government that will accord to
every nan, rich or poor. black or white,
liberty. and justice, and In lieu thereof
ha fGt a NJ la -
pacfously rich and brutaily harsh Spanish
taskmasters, as in the past.
ut is burning shame and disgrace to
American Journalism that newspapers.
even Democratic, should seek to breed
discomfort. strife and disloyalty among.
and to belitth and bring into contempt.
opportunity to- cast their lot with the
citizens of the great republic and are SO
earnestly striving TO follow the light OF
knowledge to a correct understanding OF
the laws, methods. customs and habits
of those by whom they would hope to
merit welcome as comrades and brothers
in fealty and devotion to the country of
Washington. Lincoln and Mckinley
When legislation was pending In con-
gress and the Democratic party arrayed
itself in opposition TO the measures o
the Republican majority. no strange cir
eumstance, the Spanish element in Puerto
Rico, as "A means of creating discord and
dissatisfaction; actively agitated the
scienceless representative of a notorious
Democratic newspaper In New York came
here to engineer the scheme. So-called
mass meetings we're held TO protest
against the proposed legislation, citizens
signed memorials and letters. fiorid ora
tory was INDUCED and a great deal OF
noise was made, nearly all by Spaniards
or that class OF purchasable natives en-
ployed by the constituencies representative
to make up delegations labeled from one
town one day and from another the next.
The engineer OF the scheme returned 10
York confusion
sided with his disappearance from the
scene, and then II dawned upon his dupes
that in the advertisement of his newspaper
and n long list of cash subscriptions by
men who would need to hire an inter-
prefer to read the news to them, he had
successfully accomplished the purpose OF
The Foraker Bul.
1.-THE Foraker tariff bill was enacted
after fun and ample debate. during which
history was appealed TO for information.
the statutes were searched for prece-
dents and the situation as II existed
was made clear to all concerned. In APP
plication II may not prove perfect. IL
II should develop in practice that there
are material omissions or provisions not
applicable to the conditions. the defects
can he easily cured. But, upon the whole,
the law Is a good one. Its enactment
was hailed with JOY by the people ms a
long step In the direction OF free gov
eminent and rs the harbinger of the
liberty they had SO long prayed for. and
they are grateful for the opportunity
"a great deal OF political smoke was
raised over the tariff provision Of the
bill. which. MS finally passed. carried
only Is per cent. OF the Dinghy law, the
net proceeds OF the Puerto Rican and
the gross proceeds at the states end Of
The line to be paid into the treasury OF
Puerto RIGA AZ revenue for the support
OF the government until such time. within
two years. as the insular government
should provide a sufficient revenue by
u system Of internal taxation. The rea-
son for attacking the wisdom OF this pro-
vision rs found In the dire necessity OF
the opposition. To well informed people
here who realized that there was no
other possible means Of meeting the ex-
pcnse OF administration until "A iegtsla-
ture could be elected. meet ana enact
laws. property be listed, taxes levied and
collected, task OF large proportions and
not to be Immediately performed, the OBJ
jectlons seemed silly. Puerto Rico has
always relied on customs duties us the
chief source OF revenue. other taxes re-
lated TO the necessities. rice. beans and
goldfish principally, and the poor man
paid them. the rich planter. the wealthy
landlord and the possessor OF personal
property going sc0t-free. All classes saw
IN the tariff provision presen, relief from
the burden 81 taxation, and as its OPP
erations are observed. there Is genera
congrat ulRtton that the real friends Of
Puerto Rico ia congress stood firmly by
the proposition. Indeed the question Is
even now being discussed whether the
ttAtEfA2Nlf Nhftlt tsA ENt4iANu NNNAfF%s 70
repeal the limiting clause and let that
portion ~ the law remain permanent.
thereby materially tightening the burden
% Internal taxation. n Is argued. and
with force that the result would be 20
divert the trade OF the island 50 the
United states and cement commercial re-
lAtlons,
Appointments. by President.
1t g0ss without saying that tho APP
polntments 20 be made hy the president
under the law wee regarded with deep
concern. and In tho beEiuning some I'M
patience was shown over seeming delay.
But as the names ~ The sppointeea were
being considered and selected. complaints
ceased and everybody was content 20
awalf the EXERCISE - the presidents
Judgment and discretion The nnal COM
plstton q The list OF appointments ella
itcA gaErral approval The regulations
81 the men named. both native and
American. stand as a guarantee 70 che
people % an able and homes, admins
traiion q IRE Affairs % the island and
the bearing az ali classes 81 citizens.
whatever thsir local political leaning Or
bias toward the new administrator Is
that ~ confidence Ia It's ability ard fie.
position 90 restore prosperity 10 Puerta