Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-09-28

something by for the days Of inhrmity and
old age.
Practical civil service reform has always
had the support and encouragement of the
Republican party. The future Of the merit
system Is safe in its hands.
During the present administration as oc-
casions have arisen for modification or
amendment in the existing civil service law
and rules. they have been made Important
amendments were promulgated by executive
order under date of May 30, 1899, having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination Of certain places in
volving fiducary responsibilities or duties
Of a strictly confidential scientific or execu-
tive character. which 1t was thought might
better be filled by noncompetitive examina-
tion or by other tests of fitness in the dis
cretion Of the appointing officer.
Value of Merit System.
1t is gratifying that the experience Of more
than year has vindlcated these changes In
the marked improvement of the public ser
vice.
The merit system, as far as practicable,
is made the basis for appointments to Of
fee In our new territory.
full to the soldiers, sailors and marines who
have In every time of conflict fought their
country's battles and defended Its honor.
The survivors and the widows and orphans
Of those who have fallen are justly entitled
to receive the generous and conslderate care
! Of the nation.
Few are now left of those who fought In
the Mexican war, and while many Of the
veterans Of the Civil War are still spared to
| US their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and infrmlty are increasing their de-
pendence. These, with the soldiers of the
Spanish war, will not be neglected by their
| grateful country ment. The pension laws
have been liberal. They should be justly
administered, and will be. Preference
should be given to the soldiers, sailors and
marines, their widows and orphans, with
respect to employment in the public SER
vice.
Kept Faith with Cuba.
We have been in possession Of Cuba since
the first OF January, 1899. We have re-
stored order and established domestic tran
quillity. We have fed the starving, clothed
the naked, and ministered to the sick. We
have improved the sanitary condition of the
|
troduced public education, and taken full
and comprehensive enumeration Of the In
| habltants.
| The qualification Of electors has been set
tied and under 1t officers have been chosen
for all the municipalities of Cuba. These
| local governments are now In operation, ad-
ministered by the people. Our military es-
| tablishment has been reduced from $4,000
to less than 5000.
| An election has been ordered to be held on
| the 10Th of September under a fair election
law already tried in the municipal elections,
| to choose members OF n constitutional con-
| ventlon, and the convention, by the same
| order. is to assemble the first Monday of
| November to frame constitution upon
| which an Independent government for the
island will rest. All this is a long step In
the fulAllment OF our sacred guarantees to
the people Of Cuba.
Plans for Porto Rico.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title as
the Philippines. The treaty OF peace which
| ceded us the one conveyed to us the other.
Congress has given to this island a govern
ment in which the Inhabitants participate,
elect their own legislature, enact their own
alton, AMI In these respects have the same
power and privileges enjoyed by other terri
tories belonging to the United States and a
much larger measure OF self-government
than was given to the inhabitants OF Louisi-
ana under Jefferson. A district court OF the
United States for Porto Rico has been estab-
lshed and local courts have been lnaugur-
ated, all of which are In operation.
The generous treatment OF the Porto
Rlcans acc0rds with the most liberal thought
OF our own country and encourages the best
aspirations OF the people of the island.
While they do not have instant free com
mercial Intercourse With the United States,
Congress compiled with my recommendation
by removing. on the 1st day OF May last,
IS per cent of the duties and providing fol-
the removal Of the remaining Is per cent
on the 1st Of March, 1902, or earlier II the
legislature of Porto Rico shall provide loca
revenues for the expenses OF conducting the
government.
Island Is Profited.
During this intermediate period Porte
Rican products coming into the United
States pay a tarifr OF Is per cent Of the rate,
under the Dingley act and our goods goint
10 hlCO pdy u lue uulle'
thus paid and collected both In Porto Rice
and the United States are paid to the gov
ernment of Porto Rico and 10 part thereo
is taken by the national government.
All Of the duties from Nov. /. 1903, to Jun
80. 1900. aggregating the sum Of S2,250,
523.21, paid at the custom houses In tn
United States upon Porto Rican products
under the laws existing prior to the abov,
mentioned act OF Congress, have gone int
the treasury OF Porto Rico to relieve tn
destitute and for schools and other public
purposes. In addition to this. we have eI
pended for relief. education and improve
ment OF roads the sum OF s1,613 os4.95
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force in tn
islands has been reduced from 1900 t
1900, and native Porto Rlcans constitute 10
the most part the local constabuary.
Under the new law and the inauguration
of civil government there has been graft
flying revival Of business. The manufacture
OF Porto Rico are developing; her import
are increasing; her tariff Is yielding In
creased returns; her fields are being cult
waited; free schools are being established
Not withstnndlng the many embarrassment
incident to a change OF national conditions
she Is rapidly showing the good effects o
her new relations to this nation.
For the sake OF full and Intelligent under