The times., 1901-04-26
HIGH PRAISE FOR ALLEN.
Receives an Address Signed by Fiji
teen Hundred Porto Ricans.


Charles II. Allen, Governor OF Porto
Rico, who is in Washington, yesterday
received an address signed by 1,5OO citi-
zens of the island. The address is bound
in calf, with gold plates, and is as fol-
lows:
ITO the Hon. Charles II. Allen, Governor
of Porto Rico.
Honorable Sir: One year ago you first
came to Porto Rico bearing commission
from the great American Republic to in
augurate civil government upon our ISL
and home, the beautiful Pearl Of the
Antilles.
'You came, sir, to a docile, hospitable,
and oppressed people, who were discour-
aged by many years of public misfortune
aud misrule, without faith or confidence
IN their former governing power and over
whelmed by a terrible economic crisis.
Upon your arrival new hope leaped
in the hearts of the people of Porto Rico.
The establishment of civil government in
Porto Rico had been for more than
quarter of century the fondeSt dream
and the most precious expectation of our
people. 1t was the ideal which sustained
us in the long and painful struggle against
the oppressive rule of Spain. That cher
ished dream, that sacred expectation. that
noble ideal, sir, became to US a reality
with your arrival upon our Island home.
THE people of Porto RiCo-a reinVigOr-
ated people-coming now from the thrall
OF oppressive measures into touch with
modern life, law, and civilization, heralded
your coming as the dawn of human lib
erty and democracy. In an incredibly
brief time we saw the machinery OF re
publican institutions moving in steady and
rhythmic measures for the betterment of
our people. In all this We saw clearly,
the ability, insight. and prudence Of your
wise and exalted craftsmanship.
Under the election laws formulated by
the Executive Council, the House Of Del
egates was duly elected and the Legisla-
ture began auspiciuosly 70 enact for the
first time in the history of the island a
system Of laws for the guidance and grad
ual uplifting of our people. Realizing that
the legislative duties imposed upon the
Delegates were to them new and without
precedent. you gave them freely the ad-
vice they needed. you guided their early
footsteps in the sure and safe way to self
respect and freedom Your administration
shows a conscientious study of the great
problems of our people, and the guidance
you vOuchsafed has proven TO be in har-
mOny with our political and social needs
and with the progress Of civil government
in our midst.
The House of Delegates, legally and
freely chosen by more than 10000 loyal
citizens, in its deliberations gladly ac-
cepted your advice and, aided by hon
est, capable. and conscientious men, crys-
taIliZed your cOunselS into the fundamcn-
tai laws of the island. These laws met
with your official approval, and are now
giving an immeaSurable satisfaction to
the citizens Of Porto Rico.
Your efforts, untiring and patriotic.
of course met with tise opposition of men
who n: . always heretofore made a farce
of law and who openly sought only their
own selfish interests They naturally op-
posed a reform that brought equity and
equality and protection to all; but their
opposition is fast disappearing, and in the
near future every Porto Rican VIII bless
your administration and cherish your
patriotic services.
we congratulate you upon your years
glorious achievements we are proud of
your administration; we pledge you con
tinucd and increased devotion. and we
earnestly hope. sir, that you will long re
main with us. giving us your advice and
assistance building here on this historic
and beautiful island the same democratic
institutions that have so wondrousiy
blessed the great Republic that gave you
birth and training.
God bless you, your family, and your
home, and God bless our grand nation
the land that knows no serfdom and the
| land over which flcats the noblest en-
blem of human liberty-the Stars and
l Stripes