The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-09-28


old age.
Practical civil service reform has always
had the support and encouragement of the
Republican party. The future of~tne merl'
system is safe in its hands.
During the present administration as oc
casions have arisen for modification oi
amendment In the existing civil service Ia"
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 II
volviBg fiduciary responsibilities or duties
Of a strictly confidential, scientific or execu-
tive character, which it was thought might
better be filed by noncompetitiye examin"-
tion or by other tests Of fitness in the ais
erection of the appointing officer.
Value of Merit System.
1t is gratifying that the experience OF more
than year has indicated these changes III
the marked Improvement Of the public ser
vice.
The merit system as far as practicable
is made the basis for appointments to or
fee in our new territory.
The American people are profoundly CRATE
full to the soldiers, sailors and marines VINO
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 are justly entitled
to receive the generous and considerable care
! Of the nation.
| Few are now left of those who fought N
| the Mexican war, and while many OF the
veterans of the Civil War are still spared TO
us their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and in6rmity 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 be 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, 1899. We have re-
stored order and established domestic tran
quillity. 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 education, and taken full
and comprehensive enumeration OF the In
habitants.
The qualification of electors has been set
tied and under 1t officers have been chosen
for all the municipalities of Cuba. These
local governments are now in operation, ad-
ministered by the people. Our military es-
Establishment 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 a constitutional con-
vention, and the convention, by the same
order. is to assemble on tAS first Monday of
November to frame a constitution upon
which an Independent government for the
island will rest. All this is 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 us the one conveyed to us the other.
Congress has given TO this island a govern
ment in which the inhabitants participate.
elect their own legislature enact their own
local laws, provide their own system Of tax
ation ana 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. A district court Of the
United States for Porto Rico has been estab-
lished and local courts have been lnaugur
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
mercial Intercourse with the United States, |
Congress complied with my recommendation |
by removing, on the LIST day of May last, |
50 per cent of the duties and providing for |
the removal of the remaining 10 per cent !
on the 1st of March. 1902, or 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
70 Porto Rico pay like rate. The duties
hus paid and collected both in Porto Rico
Ind the United States ara paid to the gov
eminent Of Porto Rico and no part thereof
S taken by the national government.
All Of the duties from Nov. l. 1898, to June
30, 1900, aggregating the sum Of s., 25O,-
523 81, paid at the custom houses in the
United States upon Porto Ricau products,
lnder the laws existing prior to the above
act of Congress, have gone into
he 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
nent Of roads the sum of s1,513,Os4 90.
Military Force Cut Down.
The United States military force in the
stands has been reduced from 1000 to
800, and native Porto Rcans constitute for
he most part the local constabulary.
Under the new law and the Inauguration
II civil government there has been a graft
ying revival of business. The manufactures
f Porto Rico are developing; her imports
re increasing; her tariff is yielding in
reased returns; her fields are being cult
ated; free schools are being established.
Notwithstanding the many embarrassments
Incident to change Of national conditions.
he Is rapidly showing the good effects of
er new relations to this nation.
For he h e..1T .