Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-02
CHARLES H. ALLEN
Inaugurated as Civil Governor
of Puerto Rico.
President Signs Bill Continuing the
Present Administrative Officials
And Gov. Alien at Once Takes Up Cuties Of
His Office.

san Juan De Puerto Rico, May l.
| Tho Inauguration Of Charles Herbert
Allen. cx-assistant secretary Of the
| United States navy, as first American
| civil governor Of the island Of Puerto
| Rico, took place, today. The ccre-
mony was very impressive. "A more
| beautiful day could not have dawned
| in which to usher in Puerto Rico's new
| Cove rnment. Before the penetrating
! warmth of the suns rays could be felt
| the streets of the city We're thronged
with people.
The days exercises opened at sun
| rise with sercnldes by the bands of the
| 18th Infantry, the 9Th Cavalry and the
Puerto Rico Regiment. The troops be-
gan assembling at $ O'Clock. ana later
| GOV. Allen and Cen. Davis reviewed
| on the plaza the artillery. cavalry, in
| fantry ana Puerto Rico Regiment. the
sailors and marines from the fleet and
| the police ana civic societies. GOV. Al
| len tapk the oath Of office. at 1890 A.
| NJ. under flag canopy at the execu-
| tive mansion. a large crowd Of natives
| being present The ceremonies began
with an Invocation by Bishop Blenk.
Cen. Davis, the retiring governor gen
| eral. then made an address gubstan-
| italy as follows:
The duty has been devolvcd upon
mo, by order Of the President. To. this
| day. transfer to the governor Of Puerto
| Rico the charge assigned to me by
| orders Of the President. This charge
| involved the grave responsibility Of
| administering The government If 1000
| 600 beings. which has been in my
keeping for nearly year Without
| the cordial support Of the inhabitants
| it would have been impossible for me
| or others to perform this task without
| constituting and maintaining the rule
| of a despot. the very thought of which
| is abhorrent to every American.
| The transfer of the sovereignty of
| Puerto Rico was ratified in April, 1899.
| and it is proper t. note as a coinci-
| dence that year later exactly, the
final step was taken in the organization
| nf civil government The principal
| legislative ana executive officers Will
| DE- the At provided by Congress. AT
| least 20 If these will b. citizens Of
| Puerto Rico. The appointment Of the
| other seven rests with the President.
The whole Of the judiciary may also.
| in the discretion of the President and
1
| governor. be Puerto Rican.
| The laws familiar to You will con-
| tinue in force. except as they may be
| modified by military orders such mOdi-
| fications from my orders will neve~ be
| promulgated uhtll theE nave received
| careful consideration and have been
| endorsed by distinguished natives
| learned in the laws ana institutions Of
| the country ana familiar with its So
| '
| clal ana lhluStflal conditions.
| ION this memorable occasion | make
| acl,,nvIaipa of feelings az tha daansst
|
| sratltude 70 me people lor the h"Spl-
| table reception and innumCrable mani
| raet,tior Of cordial co-onar,tior in ev
| ... 49,. 1;f,;-.,I. 49,. -, =,
| e'"ti"E tH' uliIt' ult 'dSNA assign cu ~
| me ana my military assistants.
| Nov sir +, Won the first governor
| - a. .t b.. ~, p,,..t1.,,,+
| ''Hl'" ''' INV I.9' 10y 'ii' ii'9iN'' ~,
| in pursuance to the act of Congress, |
| have tho bigb honor and nro1d ..1tis-
| r..; ,17ii,.- ,,,,,. ,...,,i,,,r ~,
| Id't'"" ~ "'llNtl y 9"u! h,'Pl"H '"N
| government IF Puerto Rico.
| The oath IF office was then admins
| . II, ,,.,. ,1I-,, VI. III, ,r,;a, i,,-.;,,
| 'i NJ" Nj, -N''' II ~ '.,.i -,
| after winch COY. Allen ana Gtn. DAVIS
| shook hands The crowd applauded
| u , ,..,, r,.-1 r,,, r,,,.- c,,,,
ana II guns We're Hred from f"rtS ~"
| Cristnbal ana Eim1rro ana the iNtt.
| An address Of welcome was next de-
| ti,-,r.I ~ U,Ir, o,,irop,s
| HN,i'' ~
| Cen. DAVIS then introduced MI Al
| lent to the people as the governor Of
| puorto Pico ana Cav Auan made his
| N''N' ''''''' ''''
| inaugural address:
| re St'".
| ~ ms l!nlntSSlN" cet'iii"hH prlIlE -