New-York tribune., 1900-01-09
PUERTO RICO's TROUBLES.
GENERAL DAVIS BEFORE THE CON-
MITTEE on INsULAR AFFAIRS.
A DISASTER TO TIE AVERAGE PUERTO
RTCAN. HE sAYsTHB OLD ORDER
SWEPT AWAY AND NOTHING
7UT IN IT'S PLACE.
[sr TELEGRAPH TO THE rHBUxz-I

the island for self-gOvernmeut were the topics
which Governor General Davis discussed IN
most interesting and instructive manner to-day
before the Committee on Insular Affairs OF the
House Of Representatives. Chairman Cooper
and nearly every other member % the commit
tee were present. and they all manifested keen
and intelligent interest IN the statements OF
General Davis. as was shown by the nature and
scope OF the questions they asked him The
form OF government TO be established, the char
scter Of the population. nIiteracy. debts OF the
people and rates Of interest. together with as
sessed and actual valuations OF real property.
rates OF taxation. public education. whether the
island should be placed the same footing as
other portions OF the United States as regards
the internal revenues, tariff and navigation
laws. and the laws relating to merchant sea-
men, the judiciary system now IN vogue public
improvements. agricultural resources and posi-
bilities, the currency, probable revenue and
probable necessary expenditures, and variety
OF other subjects were reviewed. and the COM
mittee was not only placed in possession Of Gen
eraI Davis's views respecting proposed and
necessary legislation by Congress for the island.
but supplied with a mass OF pertinent and use
fuI Information.
GENERAL DAvIS'S STATEMENT.
The people Of Puerto Rico. General Davis said.
Ministers or secret,-ries IN charge OF depart
ments. He had believed when he took up the
administration OF affairs in the island that
things could be improved by eliminating these
Intermediates and getting closer 10 the people.
He had made step in that direction by substi-
tuttng mixed Boards for these secretaries. and
the result had been satisfactory
The civil administration was now entirely IN
the hands Of boards OF health charities educa-
ton, public works. etc. in all OF which the na-
tives had representation. The customs were col
lected by Army officers assisted BY natives
Natives were everywhere the principal employees
One OF the great problems which had confronted
him was that Of making the receipts and ex-
penditures balance. This had been accomplished
by readjustment Of salaries and other economies.
The industrial situation in the island. General
Davis said was not satisfactory. He sketched
the discouragement which had resulted from the
trade and tariff Determinations against the
products OF the island, both in the United States
and Cuba, before the great hurricane devastated
the island last August, when coffee plantations
had been ruined and every banana plant on the
island had been destroyed For the i've years
preceding 1898 the average exports had reached
about 100000 pesos In 1898 they were cut in
two and this year General Davis figured that
they would hardly exceed 100000 pesos The
people were discouraged They lacked the
AngIo-Saxon enargy to face a gloomy outlook
General Davis justified the arbitrary action OF
General Henry IN extending for one year from
January 10. 1899. the time in which mortgages
overdue could be foreclOsed, but that year, he
said, would expire shortly, and thousands OF
properties would change hands This added an
other discouraging feature 10 the situation.
General Davis did not believe he had authority
further TO extend the time under the treaty
with Spain. but that property rights OF tndtvid-
Uals and corporations must remain IN the stu
alton which existed when the treaty was ratified.
NATIVES SETTLED OLD SCORES.
Regarding the political situation General
Davis described the fury with which the natives
plUndered and murdered the spaniards after the
war closed. They sought TO even up old scores
This had been stopped by the military. and civil
disorders had ceased The elections IN the
tow IS shortly after the United States assumed
military control he said. were farces- No cleo
ton was ordered until the result had been pre-
vicusIy ascertained. General Davis said that
under his discretion suffrage had been limited
10 those who could read or write or who had
paid 81 80 in taxes IN two years. Then new
elections OF alcaIdes and town councils had
been held. Under these terms less than per
cent Of the inhabitants had been able 70
qualify. In half the towns elections had been
about half a million people. The elections had
been held under military supervision. and had
given eminent satisfaction so far their fair
ness was concerned. General Davis said he re-
garded the elections as an education OF the
people,
Regarding the future civil government OF the
Island General Davis said he had given much
thought 20 the subject, without beinE able 70
formulate q satisfactory scheme u would De
difficult undertaking but he considered IL essen
tiaI that the people OF Puerto Rico should have
an opportunity 10 demonstrate their capacity
10 enlarge their responsibilities Re thought
they might have representation in a legislative
body. but that body he said. should have q ma
jority Of persons appointed by the President in
order TO be sure that control should not pass
into hands which would use it improperly.
Unless a loan could be made, ne said. the pres
ent Industrial paralysis must continue. Revert
ing 10 the question Of mortgage foreclosures, he
said that there were mortgages 70 the amount
OF 100000 pesos or real estate The interest
rates ran as high as "A per cent He would not
commit himself as 70 the advisability Of extend
ing the period for fOreclOstng mortgages. but
expressed the opinion that something must be
done The revenues Of the Islands were made
Quare 70 meet its wants For instance, 5OoUoo
pesos had been allowed in the budget for educa-
ton. That sum provided a very limited educa-
ton FOR 80 600 children. There were, he said,
go 600 other children who had not the slightest
chance Of receiving an education In his opinion
100000 pesos a year should be expended on tne
roads for twenty years
General Davis said he thought less than per
cent Of the inhabitants understood the response
bilities Of government In answer 70 a direct
question from Representative Henry, OF Texas,
General Davis said that he did not think ter
r4torfaI form OF government such as was pro-
posed for Hawaii would be for the best interests
OF the island But he distinctly thought the peO-
pie Of Puerto Rico were as much entitled 70