Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-13
SIGNED LAST EVENING
THE PORTO RICO BILL Is NOW A
LAW.
Assistant Secretary Allen. the Island
First Governor, Confers With
the President.

The President at Z o'clock last evening
signed the Porto Ricau tariff and civil gov
eminent bill. Only Secretary Root and Mr..
Cortelyou. the assistant secretary to the
President. were present when the bill be-
came law.
During the afternoon the President con-
ferred at length with Assistant Secretary
Allen. who, as stated in yesterdays Star.
will be the first civil governor of Porto
Rico.
Owing to the fact that a little more than
two weeks time intervenes before the civil
government must go into operation accord
ing to the terms of that act of Congress It
was decided that 1t would not he practical
BILE to complete the cabinet of the governor
in that time. Therefore Mr. Allen will
so alone to San Juan at the earliest possi-
Bile moment after Secretary Longs return
to Washington. which should be in few
days He will not be accompanied by Mrs.
Allen on his trip to his new post
Arriving in Porto Rico, Mr. Allen who
VIII carry his commission as governor with
him, will put himself in touch with GEN
eral Davis. now military governor of the is
land, and will spend a short time in ac
q"ainting himself with the insular affairs
and studying the character of the men
who present themselves to his notice as
proper material for members of the new
cabinet. The organic act prescribes that
at least seven members of the council shall
be Porto Ricans While the actual APP
pointment of these officials will devolve
upon the President Mr.. Aliens observa-
tons while in Porto Rico are expected to
materially assist in the selection.
AS soon as he shall have established
himself and gained the knowledge he seeks,
Governor Allen will return to the United
States. 1t may be that he will leave Gem
eral Davis in charge during his absence.
bur in case IT shall have been found pos
sible to complete the formation of the cabi-
net or even If only one member shall have
been appointed then that person will act
as temporary governor
AS to his intentions respecting the ad-
ministration of the islands affairs, Mr.. AL
len said:
1T is true that the President has asked
me to go to Porto Rico the civil gov
ernor. l regard this tender IN the spirit
In which 1t is made, as a great compliment,
although its acceptance means undertake
ing grave responsibilities.
My own inciinations and my personal in
terests urge me to decline; but one should
not always choose the easy way; there is
a patriotic duty sometimes to be performed.
If I can arrange my affairs in such a way
as to enable me to do so, shall accept the
position, and l shall then be ready to start
at once for this post of duty.
My effort will be to administer the gov
eminent provided by Congress in such a
manner as to command and hold the con-
fidence of the people. To help them so far
as / may, to realize the best there Is in
them, and to assist them In the develop
ment of the island along the lines which
have made us such a prosperous nation.
partment; my service there has been Of
happiest sort, and the attachments there
formed will always remain a pleasant
memory