Evening journal., 1900-11-27
PORTO RICO HAPPY
OVER BIG VICTORY
Republican Sweep There Also
Causes Joy
San Juan News Expresses Sentiment
Of Island in a Well Written
Editorial


missary department of the United
States Army stationed in San Juan.
Porto Rico, has sent to Assistant Post
master H. II. Billany a copy Of the
San Juan News. a four-page daily.
bearing the date Of November s..
which contains a complete account Of
the sweeping Republican victory.
In leading editorial the San Juan
News says:
THE Republicans of Porto Rico
have won a most significant victory
and can heartily join with their fell
low-partisans of the North. On the
other hand. the Federals have gone to
an inglorions defeat. Their position
is unenviable and foretells the rapid
dissolution Of their party under pres
ent leadership. It is plain that no or
ganization can successfully live i'm
Porto Rico which Is not unqualnedly
for lasting bonds Of the closest rela-
ticnship with the United States.
The independence of Cuba is one
thing: it was promised to Cuba and
Mr. Mckinley, pure and just man that
he is, has kept his promise But to
Porto Rico was pledged much more-a
benehcent government under the flag
of the United States and as a posses
sion of the United States. Such a gov
ernment has already been we'll begun.
and in the light Of yesterdays election
will be continued under the national
Republican party of the United States.
The Executive Council gave to the
island an excellent and generous cleo
tion law. The proof Of this lies in the
registration Of $4,000 electors. Fed
erals and Republicans had every fair
show to have their names enrolled and
did so quietly and easily. Careful and
impartial preparations were made to
insure full and independent voting.
and that which was done was as fair
and free as could be.
But for reasons not understood by
Americans, the Federals refrained
from voting. The order TO take this
step sounded their death lxnell. True,
had they gone to the polls they would
doubtless have been defeated. because
It may be shown that they were in a
minority as a party; but no one can
accurately say this was true. But the
wayward, spoiled child course of re
fusing to play commands neither
respect nor sympathy, while It exhibits
the worst political sagacity on the
part of the party leaders. Federals
cannot now say that they had no
chance to register for the figures
prove they did register: they cannot
say they had no opportunity to vote
because they were not molested at a
single precinct in the island; they
cannot say the United States inter
fcred because there was not a soldier
near the polls; they cannot say the
insular government participated ex-
cept as it was Obliged to insure a free
inasmuch as there was not an
insular policeman near a polling place.
The whole election was with the Porto
Ricans themselves and was as free and
orderly as any in the United States. To
the enduring credit of the citizens oil
Porto Rico they have proved them
selves well worthy of the privileges
granted them and of even more soon tol
come. The great crisis has passed and
the people have moved forward in the
march Of progress and patriotism.
The Federal party is to be pitied to-
day. II cannot stand for the indie
pendence Of the island; nor can it sulk
and cry that its rights were disregard
ed in the elections It has simply made
a fatal blunder and buried itself deep
in the grave dug for it by its own mis-
guided leaders. But the people Of Porto
Rico took a tremendous step day be-
fore yesterday toward the great end Of
larger self-government
Captain Colquhoun also sent a type
written copy Of a proclamation trans
lated from Spanish in which 1t was
printed. 1t is as follows:
To the Public.
The mayors Office has just receiv- |
ed official notice announcing the
splendid victory obtained by Mr. Nc
Kinley in his reelection as president
Of the United States.
This triumph responds to the as
pirations of tho greater part OF the
Porto Rican people. to whom it is
for their political and oco-
nomic future.
To-day is, therefore, a holiday for
all men who love their country and
found their hopes ON the sincere prep
ositiOns of the existing American gov
q AAhInAs
The Republican party should salute
with jubilee this important event,
which opens a new horizon to their
generous impulses and fruitful begin
ninga, and who should then demon
strate that enthusiasm in civil mani
festations which show that the graft
tude Of the Porto Ricans is at a par
with the followers OF the present gov
eulment, / invite. therefore, all the
citizens of this capital that they hold
this day as a holiday; / authorize them
to make any public demonstration of
united people; I viii esteem any act
which will tend to solemnize that
splendid victory which will mark
without doubt, a glorious epoch in the
history Of Porto Rico.
San Juan. p. R.. Nov Z. 1900.
The Alcede, Manuel Egozoue.