The evening times., 1900-04-02
CAPTAIN LEARY'S DEGREES.
Orders That Have Made the Cover
nor of Guam Unpopular.

Although the Navy Department will not
admit it. there are excellent reasons, for
believing that the decision to recall Capt
Richard p. Leary from the Island OF
Guam, where he has been acting as Gov
ernor, was influenced by his persistent
issue of DEGREES.
Under date of August 16, 1899 Captain
Leary prohibited any person not resi-
dent of Guam before August 7 previous
from selling intoxicating liquors. That
was General Order No 1. His next or
der prohibited the importation of intoxi-
cants Penalties for violation of these or
ders were prescribed.
On August q Captain Leary issued an
order prohibiting the-sale OF property in
Guam without the consent OF the Govern
ment This action was taken to protect
Government interests and as a safeguard
for the residents of Guam against the
Vaccinations devices, and schemes OF
spectators and adYenturers." This order
caused the greatest dissatisfaction among
the people of Guam. which was shared by
the Navy Department Another order pro-
hibits public celebrations of feast days
of the patron saints of villages" etc. Such
celebrations, it says, must take place
within the walls of the church. chapel, or
private residence" and unless otherwise
ordered, the only public holidays recog
nized will be Sundays and the holidays
authorized by the United States statute
laws and by the proclamations of the
President"
An order of October prohibited the ez-
portation Of cattle. hogs. fowls. eggs, rice,
corn, and sweet potatoes. This was issued
on account of the scarcity OF food in the
island
On November 1 Captain Leary revived
his orders about intoxicating liquors, and
declared that drunkenness. the chief
source Of all crime and trouble in this
island must and shall cease" Another
order directs that dogs shall be licensed,
and that no animals must be permitted TO
run at large. On January >. 1900, Captain
Leary issued an order abolishing the
Spanish system of taxation on real estate
and decreed new schedule.
An order dated January 10, 1860. starts
off by an expression of regret for The Ii
centiOus and lawless conduct OF some OF
the men belonging to this station which
made it necessary TO issue an order. Cap
tain Leary calls attention "to the fact
that the natives of Guam are entitled to
as much courtesy, respect, and protection
as are the best citizens of New York
Washington, or any other home city" He
refers to the several Gisgraceful cases Of
assault committed by persons attached to
this station. interfering with the func-
tons of local officials, ruthlessly destroy
ing private property. viciously violating
the sanctity of native homes" etc. Cap
tain Leary ends with the statement OF the
American Nays virtues and expresses
the hope that efforts will be made by his
men to suppress lawless tendencies.
On January % last he directed that
public education be placed under the ex-
elusive control of the Government. which
would defray all expenses Of the public
schools, and made it compulsory for all
children between the ages of eight and
fourteen years TO attend school, unless
good reasons were shown for nOn-attend-
ance This order provided that religious
instruction in favor of any particular
church or creed is prohibited" and all re-
ligious training eliminated as the proper
place for religious teaching is the home,
church or Sunday school. ="
One of the most interesting orders is
sued January %. 1900, provided that 'ev-
cry adult resident of this island must
learn 10 write his or her own name before
the 1st day of July. 1900. unless prevented
from doing so by physical disability"
Captain Leary directed that the sigma
ture must be plain and legible, suitable
for use when required in legal documents
or commercial transactions, and must be
without ornamentation. scroll. or other
rubricaI decora ticn." He offered. in the
order. TO furnish facilities to the people
10 learn 10 write their names. and recon-
mended to all residents to learn how TO
read. write. and speak English.
The last report received. dated Febru-
ary 3. 1900. prohibited any person attach
ed to this command from living with the
natives "chamorro fashion directed that
such persons he placed in quarantine, and
provided for their punishment.