The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-11
CORRESPONDENCE FROM PORTO RICO
The First Session of the Legislative Assem-
bly, and What It Accomplished, Etc

To THE FREE Lance:
Your correspondent in Porto Rico has
been somewhat remiss, mainly because
the newspapers OF the nited States take
so much interest in the island and so fully
present all matters Of Importance tran
spring here that there is but httlenew to
communicate by way Of periodical cor
respondence.
The first session of the Legislative As.
sembly Of Porto Rico was them noted
event that has marked the history of the
island since the inauguration of the civil
government The Legislative Assembly
convened. pursuant To proclamation Of
the Governor. ON the first Monday in
December. 1900 The two houses were
duly organized. Hon. Vim. II. Hunt, the
Secretary of Porto Rico, having been
elected President Of the Executive COun-
eli. which is the upper house. or Senate
and Hon. Manuel +. Rossy, of San Juan,
a native of Porto Rico. an able and
learned lawyer and fine speaker, having
been elected speaker of the House OF Dele
gates. GOV. Allen addressed the joint
meeting of the two houses in the theater
mt San Juan. a large assembagc being
present. The House OF Delegates consists
of thirty-fve members. five members
elected from each OF the seven districts
into which the island is divided under the !
provisions of the Foraker law. The mem |
bcrs Of the House are men Of fine personal |
appearance and dignifed bearing and, rs
a rule. their proceedings were orderly and |
well-conducted There was only one |
native-born citizen of the United States |
elected To the House of Delegates (Alr. |
Cornwell. OF st. Louis Mo. who practices |
law in Mayagnez). The Executive COun-
ell IL composed of six native Americans
and five natives Of Porto Rico. The six
Americans. who are heads Of departments
in the civil government. and who form
the Cabinet Council are members Of the
Council by virtue Of their Offices.
n provided in the Foraker act. The
present heads of departments are: Judge
Hunt. the Secretary of Porto Rico; Mr.
Harlan IN son of Associate Justice llar
Ian. of the Supreme Court Of the United
States). the Attorney General; Mr.. Hol
lander. the Treasurer; Mr.. Garrison, the
Auditor; Mr.. Elliott, the Commissioner
of the Interior, and Dr. Brumbaugh, the
Commissioner OF Education. The session
of the Legislative Assembly expired by
limitation on the night OF January 3lst,
1901. considerably after y o'clock, the
hands Of the clock being turned back,
after the time-hOnOred custom OF the
IIouse and Senate OF the United States
Congress, and the Governor being present
to sign bills Ms they were enrolled and
to him. Anumber ofimpOrtant
laws were passed by the Legislative AS
sembly and approved by the Governor
tbirtv-six in all While the numberis not
large. considering the necessity OF ad-
vanced legislation for Porto Rico, yet 1t
NAV be safely said that no bad law was
passed. The policy Of the Executive
Council. and also of the Governor, was to
concur in no measure the wisdom OF
which was uncertain. Among the inn
portant laws enacted was the bill proyid-
fng for Jury trial in the District courts ol
the island; the jury procedure law; the
revenue act commonly known as the
IIollander bill, having been mainly pre-
nared by Mr.. Hollander, the Treasurer,
as chairman of the Finance commlttee);
the act regulating foreign corporations
doing business in Porto Rico; the act
for the representation OF Porto
Rico at the Pan-American Exposition To
he held at Buffalo, n. Y, during the pres
emf year. and two laws providing Tor the
education in the United States OF young
men and women from Porto Rico; also,
the general appropriation act, providing
to carry on the GoVerh-
ment of Porto Rico.
The new assessment of property IN the
island under the provisions OF the hoi-
lander law, or rrevenue act, is progressing
rayorably. and the outspoken opposition
which this measure at first met is
less day by day. Conservative
and business men in Porto Rico are be
to realize that the system OF tax
alton. practically the same as that which
obtains in most of the States Of the United
States, is Ito quote the words OF Speaker
Rossy) "both philosophic and scientific,
and when the law has been thoroughly
tested. with such slight amendments as
NAV be hereafter found necessary, it will
prove a lasting benefit, and compelmany
who have heretofore practically escaped
all taxation under the crude system which
has prevailed, and from whom the outcry
of objection has mainly come, to con-
tribute their just dues for the support Of
the State.
The sugar crop for this year is turning
out most favorably. The grinding season /
has been on since January, and large =