The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-06
CHANGE OF MONEY.
It Has Been Nearly Completed in
Porto Rico

Porto Rico.
New York, Sept. 6.-The transport
Mcclellan. which arrived last night
from Porto Rico, brought $4,000 pesos
in Porto Rican silver. The coin was in
charge of Capt. William Weigel, Elev-
enth q. S. A. infantry, and a detail Of
six men. 1t was turned over to an ex-
press company to take to the Philadel-
phia mint, where it will be recoined.
A conservative estimate places the
amount of unredeemed Porto Rico silver
still in circulation on the island at
about $50O,OO0 This coin is steadily
coming in through the various bank
agencies and it is safe to say that in
about six weeks or two months at most
but little of the old circulating medium
will remain on the island In the larger
coast towns such as San Juan, Ponce
and Mayaguez, where the government
has established direct exchange, the
provincial coin is exceedingly scarce, be-
ing entirely replaced by American gold,
bills and silver, but in the small, $50
lated interior towns the new medium is
almost unknown The Spanish bank at
San Juan up to date has put out ABOUT
100000 in paper which, although more
or less wild cat" is readily accepted,
and fast getting into circulation.
When the first time limit expired on
August / it was found that but little
over half of the Porto Rican coin had
been redeemed. The smaller merchants
refused to accept the debased currency,
and prices doubled and business re-
manned at a standstill for several weeks.
Competition and the law of supply and
demand has steadily brought about
readjustment, and prices have now, II
is said, reached the normal conditions
Besides a full list of passengers from
Porto Rico and Cuba, the Mcclellan
brought company I, First infantry, Cap
tain Darlington, which is en- route to
Fort Leavenworth, Kas-
George H Davis and the Misses Da-
Wis, family of the commanding general
of the department Of Porto Rico, We're
also among the passengers.
Major Sharpe, who has been judge
advocate of the department of Porto
Rico since the occupation of the island,
also came on the transport. He IS on q
four months leave. 1t is probable that
Major Sharpe will be sent TO daWa1l
when his leave expires. In conversation
with an Associated Press representative
he spoke in the highest terms OF Porto
Rico and predicted brilliant future Tor
the island.
II have been in nearly every port and
city in the United States said he, but
L had much rather live in Porto Rico
than any other place have had the
pleasure to visit The climate is all one
could wish for"
Major Sharpe says that the reorgani-
cation of the judicial system will bring
about a startling change. There is
good deal of work to be done there along
that line and the commission to revise
the laws will have no time to spare to
turn in their report by April L. said ne.
1.-THE civil code in force is admirably
adapted for existing conditions and
should in my opinion, be allowed to
stand to a considerable extent, but the
system of procedure is entirely 1mprac-
teal and should be abolished as soon as
can do It, The Wnoie system
is crude and generations behind the
times
When asked concerning the future
of the island under the For
no prediction in that direction. THAT is
a question which can only be answered
as it works itself. OUT he said. I will
say, though, that do not believe the up
per and lower. house system will be q
success. The lower house, which will be
of 35 members elected direct
ly by the people, will probably prove a
failure. That depends though on which
political party carries the elections There
are about SO, 900 eligible voters on the ISL
and. At the elections last spring the
federals carried the island by major
ity of about six thousand. If that party
controls the lower house and occupies
the speakers chair, it will be in a posi-
ton to dictate to the upper house and to
the governor himself The other party,
the Republicans, are prO-administration
in every way, or at least purport to be,
and are in favor of the introduction of
American institutions. The Federals are
anti-American in their sentiments to a
extent and seem opposed to
things American on general principles
They want to see all the offices and
filed by men from their party
and it is a CALLING sight to them to see
so many lucrative positions held by the
or Americans.
Il am very anxious to see how the
works out. will not be sur
prised if it deadlocks at it's first session
and accomplishes nothing. If such
should be the case congress would have
to pass a new bill, and it is probable |
that the lower house would be abolished
A government by a governor and his |
cabinet Of the six heads of departments |
would be an admirable institution