The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-09-21

Practical civil service reform has always
had the support and encouragement OF the
Republican party. The future OF the merit
system is safe In it's hands.
During the present administration as &C.
caslons 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 20, 1899, having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination OF certain places in
vovlng fducary responsibilities or duties
of strictly confidential, scientific or eXecn-
tive character, which 1t was thought might
better be filled by noncompetitive examiha'
ton 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 a year has INDICATED these changes In
the marked improvement OF the public ser
vice.
|, The merit system, as far rs practicable
is made the basis for appointments to Of
flee in our new territory.
The American people are profoundly grate-
full to the soldiers, sailors and marines VINO
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 Oh the
veterans of the Civil War are still spared to
us their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and lntirmity are increasing their de-
pendence. These, with the soldiers OF the
Spanish war, will not be neglected by their
grateful countryment. The pension laws
have been liberal. They should be justly
administered, and will be. Preference
should be given to the soldiers, sailors ana
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, 1900. We have re-
stored order and established domestic tran
Quilllty We have fed the starving, clothed
the naked, and minlstered to the Sick we
have improved the sanitary condition OF the
island We have stimulated industry, In
troduced public education, and taken full
and comprehensive enumeration Of the In
habitants.
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-
mlnlstered by the people. Our military es-
tablshment has been reduced from $4,000
to less than 5000.
An election has been ordered to be held on
the 18th. OF September under fair election
law already tried in the municipal elections,
to choose members of n constitutional con-
vention and the convention, by the same
order Is to assemble on the first Monday OF
November to frame constitution upon
which an Independent government for the
island will rest All this is long step In
the fulfllment 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 when
coded us the one conveyed to us the other.
Congress has given to this island Il govern
ment in which the inhabitants participate,
elect their own legislature, enact their own
local laws, provide their own system OF tax
alton, AMI in these respects have the same
power and privileges enjoyed by other terri
tories belonging to the United States and
much larger measure of self-goyernment
than was given to the inhabitants or LOUISE
ana under jefferson. A district court OF the
United States for Porto Rico has been estab-
lished and local courts have been inaugur-
MI Of vrh n In OpprntiOn.
The generous treatment of the Porto
Rlcans accords 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 complied with my recommendation
by removing, on the list day OF May last,
IS per cent of the duties and providing Tor
the removal of the remaining 10 per cent
on the LIST of March. 1902, or earlier II the
legislature of Porto Rico shall provide local
revenues for the expenses Of conducting the
government.
Island Is Profited.
During this intermediate period Porto
Rican products coming into the United
States nay tariff of Is per cent of the rates
under the DlDBley act anu Jul SoouS S"ihs
to Porto Rico pay a like rate. The duties
thus paid and collected both In Porto Rico
and the United States are paid to the gov
eminent of Porto Rico and no part thereof
is taken by the national government
All of the duties from Nov. l, 1898, to June
30, 1900 aggregating the sum Of $500
523.21. paid at the custom houses In the
United States upon Porto Rlcan products,
under the laws existing prior to the above
mentioned act of Congress, have gone into
the treasury Of Porto Rico to relieve the
destitute and for schools and other public
purposes. In addition TO this, we have OK
pended for relief, education and improve
ment of roads the sum Of s1,513, 0S495.
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force in the
islands has been reduced from 1000 TO
1900. and native Porto Rlcans constitute for
the most part the local constabulary.
Under the new law and the Inauguration
of civil government there has been a graft
flying revival of business The manufactures
OF Porto Rico are developing; her imports
are Increasing: her tariff Is yielding In
creased returns: her fields are being cult
waited; free schools are being established.
Notwithstanding the many embarrassments
a..tao,t 20 n change Of national cOulitiO ions