New-York tribune., 1900-04-15

loudly procIaiming hatred of Americans and every
thing American. No person be elected 10 office
in the island unless he gives before his election sat
isfactory proofs of his anti Americanism surely
this the eloquent Illustration Of Porto
Rican ignorance of the United States that can be
presented to American people, is TO the hon
Porto Rican the assertion. often heard IN
this country Porto Rico is fit for self-govern-
ment the highest manifestation Of the ignorance
of the United States Porto Rican affairs.
Every intelligent Porto Rican toiler feels that the
less the island is governed by his countrymen the
better He knows that the present sorry condition
of the island is owing much TO the change
sovereignty. the hurricane OF last August, 10
the closing of the islands foreign markets, as 10
the administration of public affairs by the natives
The executive Legislative and judicial powers are
substantially in the hands of Porto Ricans. The
only American officials in the island are the Gov
ernor the Chief Collector OF Customs. the Post
master-C4eneral the president of the Board OF Sani
tation the chief OF the tnsular police anc the
iudges and officers OF the American Provisional
Court whose Jurisdiction is very limited The Gov
ernor usually governs little as possible only IN
terfering with his native Cabinet when, through
ignorance. passion prejudice. some mistake OF
iniustice is about 10 be committed Sometimes this
Cabinet with the approval OF the Governor, legis-
lates An example OF this legislation is the present
Porto Rican Divorce law The administration OF
public affairs in island is therefore more Porto
Rican than American. a consequence. never
even IN Spanish times has public office been so
prcstituted. Few official services can be demanded
enforced in Porto ttlcan department. ot
office without bribes. Not only are many OF the
Porto Pican Judges incompetent. but corrupt. The
sentiment OF justice is complete stranger 10 the
character Of the native officials Even IN the courts
OF law fair play is unknown, the Porto hlcah oeIHs
ever favored as against the Spaniard or American
This circumstance the main reason for the ere
alton of the American Provisional Court BEFORE
giving Porto Rico self-government II would seem
advisable nculcate in the Porto fFlcans the SUI
lime quality of justice
iS q
there exist few guarantees or safeguards against
the murderer thief, many or the small properly
holders-that is the farmers owning from one 10
twenty acres-have ceased 10 cultivate tneir lAi1'
Manv OF those who plough and to-day in Porto
Rico unless they plant sugar cane, are raising
crops the Of their idle neighbqrs VINO VIII MI
naIiye ponce F anI an co Who labor When we reflect
only 6 or per cent know how TO read; that barely
have some negro blood in their veins II does not
seem seem surprising G6 gd4 Ibertv naI Incense mas
Pofticai parties are based upon political, re-
ence OF doctrine Is what really distinguishes one
party from In Porto Ro G oday it TT is
to say that there exist two parties, the Federal
theless two factions in the island one called the
Pedera % or am5iios demngogIe and the other
the Republican, those who repudate Muhoz
man Controlea t1 py in RRatred of Amer,cans
other They appeal to the passion, prejudice and !
island so strongly that the small hard working |
minority which is growing less every day. does /
MOI oppose them from fear OF provoking hostility. /
Numerous delegates some selI-constltuted and |
others sent at the expense Of these factions have
gone TO Washington claim certain things for /
Porto Rico. and they nave asked the Government /
first and foremost for selt-government and for .
surhorfty to negotiate loan OF S0O1,0oo for the {
island Every means has been employed by them
To Obtain these objects In preference the .
securing OF the United States markets for the /
islands products redemption OF the provincial '
peso which is hinderng trade an economical gov
arm r1ent and public schools things that most 1
needed by the island and desired by every tax /
payer.
the farmers are the taxpayers. Under present cir
cImstances to place the whole burden OF support
ing he nsular government upon the land is in !
Justice The only way reach the great OF /
the population who pay no taxes whatever is by a
tariff so that II cannot close the United States
markets TO Porto Rican products and still will
farmers, the true wealth producers OF
the island from some OF the burden OF taxation.
The House Tariff bill is. therefore acceptable to
Porto Rico, notwithstanding all the protests made
bv the Porto Rican professional politicians.
The present military government OF Porto Rico. /
no matter how dstasteful IL be the political
IL q blessing to the taxpayer II ID hon.