Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-12

were active in the autonomiSt party under
Spanish rue. That party has naturally
ceased to exist. 1t had i large following
and representative one. The republican
party is evidently popular. Judging from its
success in the last elections. The aim of
the leaders is to make it the controlling po-
iitical interest. and to embrace in it all of
1ne PRINCIPLES which should animate a peo-
pie which hopes to become citizens of the
United States.
Party Platform.
The platform states in its preface that
1t Is the highest duty of every citizen to
uphold the laws of the land and the in
tegrity of his country 1t indorses and
commends the able, patriotic and true
American spirit manifested by President
Mckinley in releasing Porto Ricans from
the mlsrule of Spain, and pledging a faith
1uinesS to adhere to the new principles of
the new country. and have for their aim
harmony, unity and good government, rely
ing with confidence upon the hope of
speedy settlement of national affairs
The platform is very interesting as ex-
pressing succinctly and in plain terms Just
what the people of Porto Rico expect of
the United States. After declaring sincere
loyalty to the American flag and American
IDEAS and pledgfng Porto Ricans to strive
to become worthy of the great nation of
Whlch they are now part the platform
in its fourth section says:
I'VE believe that the people of Porto Rico
could be trusted with the civil government
or the island, but that authority only
emanates from the Congress of the United
states it is but our duty to wait their ac-
ton. While under military government
awaiting action by Congress, we desire that
all civil offices should be filled by men capa-
Bile, honest and of unquestioned loyalty to
the government of the United States, and
disposed to act singly for the best interest
of this island and our common country
without distinction, thereby affOrding us an
opportunity to demonstrate our fitness for
elf-goVernment, with all the burdens and
responsibilities it entails, and which will
hasten the day when our island will have
place among the states of the Union.''
Free Ballot and Liberty.
The party stands for free ballot to
every lawful citizen, native or foreign born,
declares a devotion to liberty of thought
and freedom of speech and of the press and
opposes any union of church and state. The
party also declares its hostility to the intro
duction into the island of foreign contract
labor, and believes that the English lam
guage. soon to be the official language,
should be taught in all the schools. In re-
gard to commerce and money, the platform
says:
I'VE believe, as we are under the direct
protection of the United States and a part
of that great nation. that commerce should
be free between the Island of Porto Rico
and the United States. thereby giving us
the same rights and privileges of any state
or territory of the Union.
I'm order to divert the financial panic
which now threatens us, and in order that
the tfller of the soil and the tradesman of
the land may be justly compensated for
their tolls and labors, we declare ourselves
in favor of the exchange of the provincial
money of the Island of Porto Rico for the
money of the United States, it is right
and proper that every dollar. paper or coin,
issued by the government be as good as
any other
The republicans declare that Porto Rico
Is an agricultural country, and upon that
portion of the island falls the greatest bur-
den OF taxation under the old system. The
extremely oppressive taxation, the high
tariff on agricultural implements and the
excessive custom duties on the products of
the soil should be so regulated, they de-
clare. as to furnish relief to the agricul-
turlst Finally, they congratulate them
selves and their country being under the
protection of the American flag, 1.-The recog-
plzed emblem of liberty and say they