The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-06
NEW GOVERNOR
OF PORTO RICO
Governor Charles Ii. Alien viii Wear
Well With the Inhabitants CT
Our New Country.

The man of the hour is former Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy Charles II.
Allen, OF NIassa chusetts. And it is not be-
cause Colonel Allen is the first man to be
entrusted with the installation of the new
government in Porto Rico that he is now
so prominently in the public eye; not al
ALL His prominence is only the tardy re-
cognition Of the efficient services which he
rendered as rignt-hand man TO Secretary
OF Navy Long during the crisis through
which our country has recently passed.
And Mr.. Aliens appointment is by no
means TO be regarded S q reward for
these services. In choosing a man to es-
tablish the new government in the island
of Porto Rico, President Mckinley had
in mind the appointment of a person CT
affairs and of sound business experience,
both OF which are very potent require
ments in the administration OF the affairs
of an entirely new government After a
prolonged search and careful cOrsidera-
ton among the members of tine Cabinet
it was decided That Charles II. Allen was
the man fitted to the emergency.
The bare facts and figures which are
essential in a sketch Of Colonel Allen may
be hastily recounted in this way: He was
born at Lowell, Mass, April 10TH 1913,
and has, therefore. just completed the
fif;y-second year of his experience. HIS
father was Otis Allen, a prominent lum-
Der merchant of Lowell. and a man of
wide influence. The son was educated
in the public schools of his native city,
| and after graduation from the High
School of Lowell in 1865, was sent to Am
herst College, from which institution he
came out four years later at the head of
a class of eScey,ionaIly bright scholars
PUBLIC LIFE.
It was not until 1874 that Colonel Al
len identified himself with the public
life of Lowell. During the Intervening
years he had served in the war, which
ne entered as a plain soldier and left
as a Colonel. On his return homs he
was elected member Of the Io:-ell
School Committee and served as Il SER
want of the people for two years In lSS2
he was elected to the State Senate over
the Hon. Jeremiah Crowley, by margin
so narrow that a recount OF the votes was
necessary to determine the result OF the
election Having suffered defeat Tor re-
election thu following year, MI. Alien WIS
APPOINTED as Colonel on the. stan OIL 1StS-
ernor Robinson
In 1881 and again in 1886 he was elect
ed to Congress. AT the expiration oil MS
second term the sensor AIR Alien, E@.n2 was
ct that time eighty years of age. fe4t TOO
greatly tte Responsibilities OF the great
lumber. firm of which he was pfoorlelot
ana owner, so the son retired from ac-
tive political life to assume the manage
ment of his father 8 business.
But this retirement was. OF snort aura. aura :.
ton. Mr.. Allen mad so associated himself
with the public life of Lowell that n. ms
fame had constantly SPREAD. W1en the
Renubhcans of Massachusetts were LOOK
ing "a round for Z. Covert in 1871 they
iec.ef1 Charles Herbert Allen OF Lover
for the place. He accepted the ias:ilI'si t'o,,
but was defeated by William E. Russell
the Democratic nominee.
AS a legislator Mr.. Allen has but a
| modest record, devoid of any marked IN
| dependence or originality. as well as any
| suspicio1, Of unworthy motives. hut ms
| superb assistance to- Secretary Long 5tin-
ring the present administration slas Wois
for him the confidence OF NOT oniv. ths