The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-04-27
The IMPERIAL
=. GOVERNMENT.
the United States to Take Its
Place In History as Such.
INAUGURATION OF GOV. ALLEN.


Occasion to He Conducted with
as Much Pomp aid Circum-
stance as Possible.
Special to News-Democrat.
Washington, April 24.-The Republi- |
cans are beginning to learn that there
are errors and defects in the Puerto
Rican bill which they SO gaily rushed
Through under administration whip and
spur a week or SO ago. The president
has already asked congress to pass a
/ fresh act SO as to enable the present
army office holders to retain their places
. for few months longer In order to
! prevent the chaos that would result IL
they all went out on May 1. The ex-
tension of time granted to them will
carry them to a date which will proba-
kbly be after congress adjourns and 1t
will not be necessary to confirm the
civilian appointees until next session,
some six or eight months away. But
these confirmed civilians will have
power to grant all and every franchise
in the islands just the same. They can
grant perpetual franchises, can exempt
the companies receiving them from tax
alton forever, can give them charters
without reserving the right to amend,
repeal or alter the same. and without
any exaction In the way Of compensa-
tion for the public utilities that are
gra&ed. Considering that a majority
of the appointees will undoubtedly be
American carpet-baggers, selected to
pay political debts and secure the re-
election Of William Mckinley, the more
conservative Republicans are right in
fearing that the gravest scandals will
result.
Even the New York Tribune, which
fought with all its might for the bill as
it stood, sees the danger and says, edi-
torially: "As matters stand the govern
or and council will have unrestricted
power to grant all franchises, with
present compensation or without any,
subject to the taxing power of the local
government or under stipulatlons
virtually depriving the government Of
that power. 1t seems marvellous that
statesmen in congress were willing to
turn over to a probably temporary
government a power so vast and far
reaching in its influence over the future
prosperity of the island-the president
would undoubtedly be able by the pri-
vate expression of his wish to prevent
the granting of any particular franchise
on excessively liberal terms. But his
attention cannot be constantly fixed up
on such details, and the governor now
appointed may at any time be removed
by death. Powers of such far-reaching
sort cannot with wisdom be left en-
tirely dependent upon the health OF
personal watchfullness of one man..
This in the opinion of Democrats here
IS very funny. Neither the statesmen
charge of the Payne-Foraker mea-
re, nor the administration and the
5eoIte behind 1t, were oblivious OF the
matter which causes concern to the
tribune. 1t was pointed out again and
Again on the floors Of congress, without
avail. Indeed, the entire combination
would have been disappointed and en-
ragged If the executive council had beer
hampered in authority in the smalles,
degree. The matter of franchises Is the
milk in the Puerto Rican cocoanut. II
was to give certain foreordained in
dividuals and corporations chance tc
exploit the island without much cost tc
themselves that the council was giver
a plenary power. The idea that any
supplementary legislation changing the
law in that respect would be allowed, IL
altogether too wild for serious discus
sion.
1t is possible that the president may
not have had 1t in view to evade thu
necessity of confirmation Of the civiliar
employees by the senate, when he re
commended that the army officers holt
over till August. But the influences be
hind him are not so simple. They hav'
all the appointees picked out alread!
|'and could have the president sent
their names in very shortly-say In
month at the outside. But the trouble
is that some Of them might not stant
much chance of confirmation by tn
senate, and 1t is desirable that the Who'll,
slate should go through. After tn
presidential election, it is believed tina
the administration will have little AM
perhaps no trouble in securing the en-
dors&ment Of the senate for anything
done during the recess.
Even If the reverse could happen
but small harm could result. Practicali
all Of the really valuable franchises II
Puerto Rico have been arranged for al
ready, and, with anything like loya
and Industrious work, the executiv
council ought to be able to make an ap
proximately clean sweep OF everything
within sight within six weeks afte
landing. The people who are to be tn
beneficaries of the exploitation hav
long had matters of preliminary char
acter carefully perfected. What lit
tie examination of application may b
indulged in to save appearances Wi
be largely perfunctory. The pie Is Gu
and labeled now and nothing remain
but to hand It around. If congress !
to adjourn by the middle Of June, ther
a.. ~ raooou UNIV the Puerto RiCa
Offices should be filled before that time
There is too much at stake. to risk tn
confirmation of nominees.
Meanwhile, in order to impress tn
people Of Puerto Rico with the I'm
portance of the event. President Nc
Kinley has given instruction that b