The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1900-09-20

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 % 1899. having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination of certain places IN
yolying hduciary responsibilities or duties
of strictly confidential. scientific execn-
tive character. which it thought might
better be filled by noneompetitive examina-
ton by other tests of fitness in the dis
creticn of the appointing officer
Value of Merit system.
It is crafty 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. far practicable.
is made the basis for appointments to Of
fee in 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 its honor
The survivors and the widows and orphans
of those who have fallen justly entitled
to receive the generous and considerable care
of the nation
Few are left of those who fought in
the Mexican and while many of the
veterans of the Civil War are still spared to
US their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and 1nhrmity are increasing their de-
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 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, 1899 We have re
stored order and established domestic tran
quillfty- 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
troduced public educa ton, and taken 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 now in operation, ad
ministered by the people Our military es-
Establishment has been reduced from $4,000
less than 5000.
An election has been ordered to be held on
the 18th of September under fair election
law already tried, in the municipal elections,
to choose members of 4 constitutional con-
vention, and the convention. by the same
order. $ to assemble the first Monday of
November frame constitution upon
which independent government for the
island will rest All this is a long step in
the fulfllment 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
ceded the conveyed the other
Congress has given to this island 4 govern
ment in which the Inhabitants participate,
elect their own legislature. enact their own
local laws, provide their own system of tax
alton. these respects have the same
power and privileges enjoyed by other terri
tories belonging to the United States and
much larger measure of self government
than was given to the inhabitants of I-ouisi-
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
mercfal Intercourse with the United States,
Congress complied with my recommendation
by removing, the 1st day of May last,
So per cent of the duties and providing for
the removal of the remaining i per cent
on the 1st of March. 1902. earlier If 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 a tariff of 10 per cent of the rates
under the Dingley act and our goods going
to Porto Rico pay 4 like rate The duties
thus paid and collected both in Porto Rico
eminent of Porto Rico and no part rhereof
is taken by the national government
All of the duties from Nov 1. 1898, to June
80, 1900, assregatfng the sum of S2,25Q.-
523-21, paid at the custom houses in the
United States upon Porto Rican products.
under the laws existing prior 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, have ex-
pended for relief. education and improve
<Fr I- G I
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force In the
islands has been reduced from 1000 to
800. and native Porto Ricans constitute for
the most part the local consta bulary-
Under the law and the Inauguration
OF civil government there has been a 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 being cult
waited: free schools are being established
Notwithsta nding the many embarra ssments
incident change of national conditions,
she is rapidly showing the good effects OF