The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-09-22

something Dy LOT tue uays VI innin'i'' "'N
old age.
Practical civil service reform has always
had the support and encouragement of the
Republican party. The future OF the merit
system is safe In its hands.
During the present administration as &C.
casions have arisen for modification OF
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. 1890, having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination Of certain places IN
volving fiduclary responsibilities or duties
OF a strictly confidential. scientific or execu'
tive character. which 1t was thought might
better be filed by noncompetitive examina-
ton or by other tests OF fitness In the dis
creticn of the appointing officer.
Value of Merit system.
1t is gratifying that the experience OF more
than year has vndIcated these changes In
the marked Improvement OF the pablo ser
vice.
The merit system, as far as practicable,
is made the basis for appointments 10 or
fee In our new territory.
The American people are profoundly CRATE
full to the soldiers. sailors and marines VINO
have In every time Of conflict fought their
countrys 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 considerable care
Of the nation.
Few are now left of those who fought In
the Mexican war; and while many OF the
veterans OF the Civil War are still spared TO
us their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and intirmity are increasing their de-
pendence. These. with the soldiers or 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, 1899. 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 fun
and comprehensive enumeration CT the in
habtants
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. al
mlnistcred by the people. Our military eS-
Establishment has been reduced from $4,000
to less than COCO.
An election has been ordered to be held on
the 10th of September under a fair election
law already tried In the municipal elections
to choose members of constitutional con
venton, and the convention, by the same
order. is to assemble on the first Monday CT
November to frame a constitution upon
which an independent government for the
island will rest. All this is long step In
the fulfilment 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 which
coded us the one conveyed to us the other.
Congress has given To this island a 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 a
much larger measure of sef-government
than was given TO the Inhabitants Of Louis-
ana under Jefferson. A district court Of the
United States for Porto Rico has been estab-
lished and local courts have been inaugur-
ated. all OF which are in operation.
The generous treatment Of the Porto
Ricans 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
mercal Intercourse with the United states,
Congress complied with my recommendation
by removing, on the LIST day Of May last,
SIS per cent OF the duties and providing for
the removal OF the remaining 10 per cent
on the 1st 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 pay tariff of IL per cent OF the rates
under the Dingley act and our goods going
to Porto Rico pay 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. 1, 1885, to June
30. 1900, aggregatlng the sum OF S2,o5O-
523.21, paid Mt the custom houses In the
United States upon Porto Rican 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 ex-
pended for relief. education and Improve.
ment Of roads the sum Of S1,513OS4.95.
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force In the
Islands has been reduced from 11,OOO to
1900. and native Porto Ricans constitute for
the most part the local constabulary.
Under the new law and the Inauguration
OF civil government there has been 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
incident to n change OF national conditions.
she Is rapidly showing the good effects OF
her new relations fhia nation