The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-15
Inauguration Of Civil Government In
Porto Rico.
Correspondence from the Auditor Of
Porto Rico)
San Juan, p. r., May |, 1900
To The Free Lance:

Since Congress passed the bill pro-
viding for OWL government in Porto
Rico, and the appointment Of Hon.
Charles II. Allen, the late Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy, as the OWL
Governor. was publicly announced, his
coming has been anxiously looked for
In the city Of San Juan. He arrived on
the Goth Of April. on the U. s. 8.
Dolphin" accompanied with his wife
and daughter. The U. S. battleship
Texas" came In with the " Dolphin"
also the Machias," and both dropped
anchor in the harbor Of San Juan. The
New York" (Which was flagship Of
Admiral Sampson during the Spanish
war; also came In convoy. but owing to
her great size and the depth Of water
she draws "a feet) she could not safely
enter the harbor, but anchored outside
Of Moro Castle Governor Allen was
received on his arrival with appropriate
honors and salutes from the fortifca-
tions and naval vessels in the harbor.
was met by the Military Governor Of
Port,j Rico (Brigadier General George
W. Davis) Ia whose carriage he was
conveyed to the Palace. with military
escort and music, where he remained
the guest Of General and Mrs Davis mp
TO the Inauguration. which transpired
to-day. General Davis, who, 1t is said,
will remain for an indefinite time in
command Of the military forces In
Porto Rico, will transfer his official
residence and headquarters 20 a large
and oommodious building on Fortaleza
street, near his former pllatial residence
as Military Governor, and tho Santa
Catalina Palace Cor as 1t is often term
ed the Fortalezl PAlace) will be turned
over to the Civil Governor, to whom II
is assigned by the act providing for a
civil government In Porto Rico.
On the evening of April 30 a reoep.
tion In honor Of Governor and Mrs
Allen and Miss Allen was given by
General and Mrs Davis OF the Palace
aud was very largely attended by mill
tary and naval officers, officials Of the
late Military government and citizens
Of San Juan Nothing but words Of
praise can be heard for Governor Allen.
His unpretentious, cordial yet dignided
manner, with his fine face and pleasing
personality. have made q decidedly
favorable impression upon all who have
met him. One of the last official acts
of General Davis was the issuing Of q
general order naming as acting officers
the various heads of departments and
bureaus Of the civil government, so
chat in case Of the failure of an eIten-
sion by Congress of the time when the
OWL government Is to take effect,
these acting officers, who were
duly sworn in on the afternoon of the
30th in the presence OF General Davis
and Governor Allen can go on with
the duties and official acts Of their re-
spective departments and offices with
out confusion or difficulty, Entil the
officers appointed by the President for
Porto Rico shall be duly commissioned
and sworn In.
Governor Allen made brief address
to the acting officers. thus sworn in, al
luding to the high responsibility which
rested upon them, the strict accOunta'
bility which would be imperatively re-
quired Of them by seventy millions of
people in the United States, and would
be rightfully expected by the people Of
Porto Rico
The Inauguration exercises Of May
were ushered in By a sunrise serenade
at o'clock g. m. by number Of mill
tary bands located at different points
/ In San Juan. Next came the military,
naval and civic review on the Plaza
Principal Cor Plaza Of Alfonso XIII at
a. m. and the inaugural ceremonies
az 10 o. M at the Santa Catalina Pal
ace, in front Of which o commodiCu q
stand was erected. beautifully dTaped
with the American colors Seats were
assigned upon the stand to various mil.
itary and naval officers, to all Of the
officials OF the OWL government. their
wives and daughters. le the spacious
rooms Of the palace accommodated
many other invited guests. FertaleEa
street, leading TO the palace, and the
roofs If ell adjacent buildings were
thronged with spectators. General Da-
Wis, clad In the full uniform Of his
rank, presided. The gorgeous uniforms
of the British consul (Mr. Ohurchward)
and the Spanish consul (senor Mar
conel) Wed in splendor with the uni
forms Of the military and naval officers
who occupied seats upon the stand, and
contrested strongly wish the sombre
black silk robes Of the judges Of the
Supreme Court Of Porto Rico. and the
light summer dresses of the ladies'.
After the rendition Of America" by
the band Of the 5th Cavalry the invo-
cation was offered by the Right Rev
James II Blenk. the Catholic Bishop
Of Porto Rico. who was clad in his
purple canonicAls. His prayer was
strong, earnest and impressive. Gen.
Davis next made a brief address,
reviewing the military occupancy
and Military governments OF Porto Rico,
pointing ont how she genius Of Ameri-
can institutions and the will Of
the people Of the United States
demanded thst military must give
way TO civic rnle. which had
beon oonsuinmated IN the aos passed By
Congress and approved By the President,
which was frAught with greas possihil-
titles and well grounded hopes for ihe