Evening star., 1901-07-05
No Important Business Before the
Cabinet.
STATUS OF PORTO RICO SETTLED
President and Mrs. Mckinley to
Leave for Canton Tonight.
TODAY'S APPOINTING ENTS

The cabinet meeting today was the last
one that will be held until the President
makes trip back to Washington from
Canton. The business today was not i'm
portant, and the cabinet members are look
ing forward to rather a quiet summer and
rest from the important subjects that have
taken the time of the administration for
three years and more. The status of Cuba,
also of the Philippines, Is about settled,
and there will probably be no serious prob
lens arising this summer in connection
with these countries.
Status of Porto Rico.
The status of Porto Rico is practically
settled by the action of the Porto Rican
legislature yesterday in adopting a resOlu-
ton notifying the President that under the
provisions of the Foraker act the island
is sef-supporting and is entitled to free
trade with the United States
In accordance with the request of the
Porto Rican assembly the President will
issue his proclamation establishing free
trade on July 25, both in Porto Rico and
this country. That date has been made a
holiday in the island to commemorate the
coming of the American flag.
The President expressed qualification that
Porto Rico was SO soon taking her position
with the rest of the country. The Pres-
dent will not take action on his proclama-
ton until he has received official notifica-
ton of the action of the Porto Rican as
Sembly.
Second-CIass Mail Matter
Postmaster General Smith talked to the
cabinet about his intentions as to the modi-
fication and enforcement of second-class
mail regulations Mr.. Smith hopes that by
the new regulations the government rev.
enues from the postal service will be great
ly increased and many fake publications
will have to pay higher than second-class
rates Much matter that now goes at one
cent pound will pay eight cents after Mr.
Smiths enforcement of new regulations Is
begun.
Second-class mail matter now embraces
about three-fOurths of the entire weight of
all the mail matter handled by the govern
ment. and yet 1t brings in less than $1,000
oo of revenue out of total of s11O 600 600
each year.
MIR. Evans Sees the President.
H. Clay Evans, pension commissioner, WIS.,
tied the President this afternoon after the
cabinet had adjourned, and talked with
him a short time. Mr. Evans was in par
ticularly good humor when he left the
White House. and the supposition was gen.
eral that nothing had occurred in his con-
ference with the President to worry him
The Presidents proclamation openine IN
the kioWa, Comanche and Wichita Indian
reservations to settlement will be issued
Monday.
Appointments Made Today.
The President made the following ap-
pointments today:
Treasury-Fred. v. Martin of Indiana to
be commissioner of immigration for the
port Of San Juan, Porto Rico
Navy-Jacob John Hunker, to be COM
mander in the navy on the retired list;
Paul E. Mcdonald, to be an assistant sur
geon. with the rank Of lieutenant Junior
grade: Russell M. Young, to be an assist
ant surgeon, with the rank Of lieutenant,
junior grade.
1t is expected that there will be a large
list Of army appointments this afternoon or
tomorrow, just soon as the list can be
made up. The President will sign many of
these appointments before he goes away to-
night. The War Department is endeavor-
ing to have the President to dispose of as
many appointments as possible before he
leaves the city.
New Consul at Pretoria,
Grant Gillespie, the young Missourian
who Is to become consul at Pretoria.
was presented to the President today
by Representative Joy. Mr. Gillespie's ap-
pointment will soon be made, and the I'M
derstanding is that the State Department
will endeavor to have the salary Of the
position increased from $4,000 to $4,000 a
year.
Going Away Tonight
special car attached to the regular
train leaving on the Pennsylvania road at
7:45 o'clock this evening will take President
and Mrs. Mckinley from here to Canton
for the summer vacation. They will be
away from Washington all summer. They
will be accompanied to Canton by Secre-
tary Cortelyou and Stenographer Latta,
DR.. P. M Rixey, George Barber and the
Misses Barber.