Evening star., 1901-06-12
AT THE White HOUSE
DR.. Barbosa Talks on Porto Rican
Affairs.
SAYS PEOPLE WANT FREE TRADE
More Gossip About West Virginia
Judgeship.
NEW MEXICO'S GOVERNOR

DR.. Jose C.. Barbosa, native of Porto
Rico, talked to President Mckinley this
morning Of affairs in Porto Rico. DR..
Barbosa Is a member of the executive
council of Porto Rico and is regarded as
one of the most intelligent, able and con-
servative men on the island. He is q
leader among the black people of the is
land, where he does much charitable work
in line with his profession. DR.. Barbosa
graduated from the medical department OF
the University of Michigan twenty-one
years ago. His health has not been good
recently and he came to this country on a
brief vacation.
The condition of affairs in Porto Rico
is growing better as fast as circumstances
will permit" said DR.. Barbosa. What we
are all most hopeful for now is free trade
with the United States. We believe that
the annual report of the treasurer on July
1 will show that the island is supporting
itself, independent of aid from the federal
government If the report does not show
this in July we are sure that 1t will do SO
by May of next year.
The Foraker bill authorizes the Presi-
dent to grant free trade by proclamation
when he is satisfied by official facts and
figures that the island is sef-supporting.
We are going to ask Congress for free
trade with the United States at Its next
facts that will be convincing. Free trade
would give our sugar producers "a cents
on each 100 pounds, and that would be
big thing to them.
I'VE have free trade with this country
for our coffee, but the trouble is that we
never sought a market here for our cof-
fee until the last few years. When Spain
owned Porto Rico we had splendid mar
ket for coffee 1t sold readily and was
favorite in Spain and elsewhere. OF course
Spain withdrew all of our tariff privi-
leges, and this left us without ready mar
ket. Porto Rican coffee is beginning to
get foothold in the states, and we are
helping things along by a special exhibit
of coffee at the Buffalo exposition. When
the people here once begin its use we will
have no fear of a market. In the mean
time we should like to see some reciprocity
treaty made with Spain that will admit
our coffee to that country at reduced tariff
rates. We hope such treaty will soon
be made. 1t will help US wonderfully.
DIR. Barbosa said that the new tax laws
of Porto Rico are going to prove satis-
factory to the people.
The West Virginia Judgeship.
Represent ativer Dayton OF West Virginia
saw the President today to deliver a mes
sage from Senator Elkins regarding the
judgeship of the new federal district. Sena-
tor Elkins and Senator Scott, who are out
of the city, will be here by the end Of this
week or the first of next, and will present
ship. 1t is believed that the contest will be
settled early next week. In well-informed
circles the appointment is said to be al
most sure to go to one OF three men-Eliot
Northcott Malcolm Jackson or Taylor Vim
son. Representative Dayton himself has
been spoken Of, but the trouble is that he
does not reside in the new district, and the
many able lawyers of the district would
object to an outside man being appointed
considering it reflection. Mr.. Dayton
would have powerful backing for Judge
the latter, who was eligible to retire a
number of years ago.
The New Mexico Governorship.
Several delegations from New Mexico
have reached here to take part in what
some of the politicians Of the territory
seem to think will be fight for the gov
ernorship. The last delegation to arrive is
opposed to Gov. Otero while some Of the
others favor him. In official circles here
the feeling is strong that Gov. Otero will
be reappointed.
Senator Quay Of Pennsylvania was with
the President short time this morning
Judson Lyons. the register of the treas
ury, on behalf Of the officials of the ma
ton Of the colored Baptists, invited
the President to visit the convention when
1t meets IN annual session in Cincinnati
September II to Is. The President was
unable to give an answer at this time to
the invitation.
COmmissfOn Signed.
The President today signed the commits
sion of Edward H. Collister as collector Of
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