The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-20
PORTO RlCO'S DELEGATE
FEDERICO DE GETAN TO REPRE-
SENT NATIVES In CONGRESS.
Well-known Author, Scientist, Law
yer and Politician - Federals I'm
the Sulks, and Did Not Vote.


Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico. Nov. 12.-The
Porto Rico elections, as already announced
by cable, passed off without the riots and
disturbances predicted. There were but
one or two trivial rows on election day
The days following, when Republicans
were celebrating the victory in federal
towns. there were few clashes between
parties, and a few men were killed and
much ammunition wasted. But as a whole
Porto Rico may go down on record as
conducting a remarkably quiet election.
considering that II was the first time her
people had voted without the presence
of soldiers and police at the polls.
In round numbers the total vote on the
island was $1,000 Only LEO federal votes
were counted. The leaders of the federal
party had ordered their followers not to
appear at the polls. and the order was
generally obeyed 1t was an election in
name merely. as only one party voted.
AS the result. Mr.. Federico de Getan viii
be sent to Washington as commissioner
to Congress and the thirty-hve members
of the House OF Delegates are all Repub-
licans. In fact. the entire legislative as
sembly is now OF one party. Each of the
seven districts OF the Island SENDS uvo
delegates TO the House.
Mr.. De Getan Is well known on the
island and abroad. He Is an author, SCI
enlist, lawyer and politician. He has pub
lished several novels and scientific works
In French and Spanish. but his command
of the English language is limited. He
Is a lawyer and graduate OF the Gen.
trail University OF Madrid. He was always
q Republican under the monarchy. Since
1882 he has taken part In the principal
happenings OF his country, in Madrid as
well as in Porto Rico, and was one OF the
four commissioners sent I'm 1886 to ask
Spain for autonomy. He refused TO enter
into the compact with Sagasta- The dis
trict of Ponce then elected him deputy
to the Cortes in 1895. General Henry ap-
pointed him secretary OF the interior.
There is a great deal OF speculation as
to what the federal party here intends
To do. Had they voted, the election. it
is asserted. would have been very close.
as year ago they carried the island with
a majority OF 5000 votes. For reasons not
generally understood they refrained from
voting. They claimed that they had not
q fair chance to register, that the Repub-
lioan party was favored I'm the appointing
OF election judges, that they were refused
registration and that the districts were ger
Tymandered. Those I'm touch with the
party leaders believe that an attempt may
be made in the courts 10 nullify the cleo
ton on the ground that IL was not legal
contest.
Now that the elections are over the
people are beginning 10 look tor improve
ments. IL was announced recently that
a five-story building would be built on
one OF the most important business streets
IN the city, New York capitalist IL on
the ground with plans TO build a 200-room
hotel, and promoters and men with capital
behind them are knocking at the door OF
the executive council for franchises TO
build electric railways, TO control water
power rights, and TO erect docks and
wharves. Only one franchise OF any i'm
portance has been issued far. The COM
fra tc 10 bssfia
network of electric roads through the cof-
fee and sugar districts TO the ports