Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-04-21
PORTO RICO AND LmERrY.


pm.o Rico rs now the official name
OF the island which, under Spanish rule.
was called Puerto Rico The 1ld title
was adopted by the lower House OF
Congress but the Senate changed Il TO
the Angllclzed form, and the Senate
amendments to the bin having been
c0ncured IN by the House, Porto Rico
win henceforth be the recognized name
OF the new possession.
The idea that there Is little n any
difference between the form OF govern
ment extended 10 Porto Rico, under the
measure recently enacted, and that Of
the home Territorial system Is not
warranted by the provisions Of that
luw. There Ia an essential difference
which is quite important, and presents
new feature IN the method OF treat
ment to inhabitants OF the domain be-
longing to the United states.
The people Of Porto Rico are permit
tea 10 elect one branch OF their legs-
lature-the lower house In the place
OF the upper house, usually called the
council answering 10 the Senate In a
state) and elected by the people Of a
Territory Porto Rico Is 70 have an Exc
cuuve Council consisting OF eleven
members, five only OF whom are 10 be
natives Of the island and an appointed
By the President. The Governor and
this Executive Council are 20 exercise
all the executive powers OF the local
government and also to form part Of
the legislative body, More than that. IL
Is 10 have exclusive control OF the
granting OF franchises, rights and
privileges on concessions Of public or
quas-publlc nature"
II must be conceded that this Is some
thing entirely different 90 the ordinary
Territorial system. While It is true
that the power Of absolute veto vested
In the Governor OF a Territory, would
ovefbaIance the voice Of the people
through their legislature, stili that IN
later years has been only authorized
In two Of the Territories. and Is now
almost obsolete
The inhabitants Of the new territory
are recognized IN the recent legislation
as citizens Of Porto Rico. but not as
citizens Of the United states, and this
IS another distinction between the Ter
rltorlal system and that now instituted.
These differences raise questions that
viii be widely discussed and they
should be understood so that debate
may be based upon facts, and not drift
into contention over groundless theor-
les.
We DO not wish TO discuss The right
or wrong Of the change that mas been
deemed necessary In public policy rela-
tive 20 the possessions acquired by the
treaty with Spain New conditions
have arisen as the result Of the war
and the settlements for peace. They
have 70 be dealt with IN the light of
the present with It's peculiar response
bIHtIes. The measure Of liberty ex-
tended to Porto Rico may be all that
can now be safely entrusted TO that
people. It can be Increased as they ad-
vance IN the path 90 selt-government
The power OF precedents too, must not
be ignored and the question OF form
of government for the Philippines
looms up as a shadow Of coming events
that necessarily has It's effects on pres
ent policies.
One thing ought TO be kept In view by
the statesmen Of an parties today. Thai
is. the spirit and intent OF the Consutu'
ton OF our country must be respected
and It's provisions be preserved, Al th'
same time the advancement Of this ma
ton as q great governmental power u
the world must not be retarded OF oil
minshed. It Is the evangel Of uniyersa
freedom. Il must not only proclaim bu
establish human liberty This canno
be safely effected except by degrees a
wisdom and the ability Of liberated PEG
pies shall determine.
While the rights and privileges Of SOW
ereign states in the Union may not b
fully exercised by inciplent commoN
wealths. the purpose must be, evIden'9
TO bring those human beings deliver
from bondage up 20 that glorious s'anu
ard as speedily as possible. Mean"hlI'
such governments win have to be esiao
lished as win secure order ensure pro
lection. and promote the welfare OF %
people brought under the sovereign
Of this Republic. until they are cap'o'
Of enjoying and maintaining that per
feet liberty for which the nation OF 70
United states. under Divine Provideh''
was set up 10 be- extended 70 the utter
most uarts Of earth