The Yale expositor., 1900-09-28

'"H+NeAAht ~ ANA tue VI mummy anu
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 Oc-
casions have arisen for modification or
amendment in the existing civil service law
and rules they have been made. Important
amendments were promulgated by executive
order under date Of May 30 1899. having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination Of certain places in
volving fduciary responsibilities or duties
Of a strictly confidential. scientific or execu-
tive character. which 1t was thought might
better he 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 gratlfyl ing that the experience OF more
than a year has indicated these changes In
the marked Improvement of the public ser.
vice.
The merit system, as far as practicable
is made the basis for appointments 20 Of
flee In our new territory.
The American people are profoundly CRATE
full to the soldiers, sailors and marines who
have in every time Of conflict fought their
country's battles and defended It's honor
The survivors and the widows and orphans
of those who have fallen are justly entitled
to receive the generous ana c1nsiderate 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
anG age and innrmity are increasing their de-
pendence. These, with the soldiers Of 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 he given to the soldiers, sailors and
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. 1890. We have re-
stored order and established domestic tran
Qullity. We have fed the starving, clothed
the naked and ministered TO the sick. We
have improved the sanitary condition Of the
island. We have stimulated industry, in
troduccd public education, and taken a full
and comprehensive enumeration OF the in
habitants.
The qualification OF electors has been set
tied and under It officers have been chosen
for all the municipalities of Cuba. These
local governments are now in operation, al
ministered by the people Our military es-
adjustment has been reduced from $4,000
to less than 5000
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 4 constitutional con
ventlon, and the convention, by the same
order. Is to assemble on the first Monday OF
November to frame constitution upon
which an independent government FOR the
island will rest. All this Is long step in
the fulfl.ment 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 Il 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 self-government
than was given to the inhabitants Of Louisi-
ana under Jefferson. district court Of the
United States for Porto Rico has been estab.
lshed and local courts have been inaugur-
ated, all Of which are in operation.
The generous treatment OF the Porto
Rlcans 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
mercial Intercourse with the United states,
Congress complied with my recommendation
by removing. on the LIST day Of May last,
81 per cent OF the duties and providing for
the removal of the remaining 10 per cent
on the LIST OF March. 1902, or earlier IL the
Legislature of Porto Rico shall provide local
revenues for the expenses Of conducting the
government.
Island Ia Profited.
During this intermediate period Porto
Rican products coming into the United
States pay tariff Of - 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. l. 1898, to June
30. 1000, aggregating the sum OF $3.50
523.21, paid at the custom houses In the
United States upon Porto Rlcan 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 s1,513,OS405.
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force In the
islands has been reduced from 1i,000 to
500, and native Porto II leans constitute for
the most part the local constabulary.
Under the new law and the Inauguration
OF civil government there has been grail
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 Guilt
waited; free schools are being established.
Notwithstanding the many embarrassments