Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-23
FARCE ELECTION
PORTO RICO FEDERAL PARTY
DID NOT VOTE.
NOT A REPRESENTATIVE BODY.
House of Delegates Plays at Law
Making-Honors for Gov.
Allen. IN

correspondence Of the Associated Press
san Juan. p. r.. Jan. 10; here is no
telllng what may come out of Porto Ri
can politics. Before election the gov
ernment and the federal parties were
enemies. but It is now quite evident that
the Americans have discovered that = 81
republican party is not representing
Porto Rico Before the election the re-
pupllcan party. as claimed by the ted
erals, was favored so openly that the
federals. although undoubtedly in TIL,
majority, did not vote, but Isl If So
900 federal votes being cast A house
Oh delegates composed of S5 republicans
was elected. Forty four days of the six
" allowed oy law have passed and the
house has passed no laws worthy the
name. beyond the jury trial bill which
originated i'll the executive council. No
bill worth mentioning has been origins
ated in the house.
The republican party of Porto Rico is
composed of middle and lower classes.
mostly Of the colored element The
Porto Ricans moving in the high class
OF society. the merchants and painters.
the monled men, in short the CONNER
clal men of the island. are in most in
stances federals. The federals today
are not in any way opposed to the gov
ernment. r.
Governor Allen recently made an ex-
cursion into the interior. He stopped
at the little town Of Ceres a hotbed OF
federal sentiment While there he was
more than surprised at the way he was
received. Over $50 men on horseback
met him five miles from the town ana
escorted him to the mayors residences
tine largest civilian escort on record for
Porto Rico. The mayor declared the
day a holiday. shops were closed ana
everyone donned his Sunday clothes
Parades and receptions were held in the
governors honor and the town was his.
The little city was Illuminated at night
and he was the guest of honor at a ban
Quet ait which two hundred plates wers.
laid. He visited other towns and was
royalty received. and his visit was to
one of the strongest federal districts.
The federals now recognize that the
governor is in earnest in his endeavors
to promote the islands welfare. Many
of the party leaders formerly held dip,
lomatic positions and they are in a po-
sition to be of great assistance. 1t is
not difficult to See the lean of a politi-
cal campaign. TIE ,federals are already
and they expect that the next general
election will be theirs.
The taxation bill is the chief topic.
Every article TAXED, Including even
agricultural implements. is taxed in til.
same excessive ratio and the owners a
property are protesting against the bill
They know that by the provisions of
the bill that their plants Will be taxed
beyond their value. The bill was a Week
or more in debate before the council
before it passed. but the people had no
idea of its nature. 1t was not given our
TO the public until after it's passage.
Then some extracts We're published in
THE local English paper and the Spanish
papers Immediately picked it UP ana
now a cry of protest is being raised on
every hand. 1t is evident that the
house has orders from party leNders to
pass the bill but the people hope that
the governor will 1,,to it. This bill is
supposed to represent a years work of
treasurer HO,ander. rs