BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-03-04
SAN JUAN, MARCH 4
Work Well Done.

w Vk N ttSbA DVAASS
A careful perusal OF the list of measures
passed by the Legislature of Porto Rico, at
the session which just closed, reveals
the fact that although mere novices In the
school Of legislation, and in spite of the sb-
sence of checking minority vote, there has
: been added to the laws of Porto REQ, .
number Of statutes which would do honor ta
the parliament of Great Britain, the Oldest
Of law mailing bodies, aud which will surely
have their lasting benefits unto the people
Of this island, just 90 long as they remain
"a the books. Conscientious disagreement
with measures while in the course Of discus
SION has been the policy of this paper. Hon.
sst appreciation and praise OF efforts in
behalf of the people, and for the good OF
the island, can be just as freely and readily
given "a harsh criticism for mistakes made.
We ere asked to name one single measu-
70 for which member of the House is res
ponsible. We can meme dozen which pas
sed and several which could not pass be
eAuse of the importance Of other work.
We can also give the members Of the House
eli credit and glory for being free from the
stigma of narr0w minded determination, such
% 10 open to no argument or discussion, but
ID blindly led on by incorrect opinions. The
iact that many members held views different
to those which they fioally expressed by
thier votes, should resound all the more to
their credit, and will certainly stamp them
~ men open to conviction in favor of all
measures for the public good or the Insular
benefit.
AZ TOR measures which have originated in
h. faka Mr.
day closing bill. This measure does not ef
feet great many people, but to those young
men who have heretofore been compt lied
70 spend their days and nights behind coun
ters and in shops, this measure is promise
Of better health and Of longer life. Ap,
plying to few amongst the many people OF
worth Its passage.
Mr.. Besosa's anti gambling law is an
other measure which originated in the
House, and which h0n0rs its author, and
will be monument in the statute books OF
the island. Tnis measure has gone far
beyond anything yet known OF heie, and in
tact far bey ond the laws on the same subject
which have been passed in the metropolis OF
the Union. Not alone is every form Of
gaming absolutely prohibited under severe
penalties, but unfortunate an wive is given
right Of action, not alone against the
gambler who has dishonesty taken her
bread, but against the landlord or oWner Of
the premises in sohich the money was lost.
This law ID strong and adequate, and there
viii be NO possibility Of eVading its man.
dates. No long litigation over the interpre.
tation OF words or phrases will result. TIE
measure 10 written in the plainest language,
leaves no doubt Of its parport, and is . fair
notice to al that the authorities will not
sountenance gaming within the Island of
Porto Rico.
All Of Mr. Oornwell's measures having
fer their object the perfection of eur system
Of laws, originated in the House, we're drawn
and defended by the credited author, and pas
Bedin both chambers through the unceaslng
Efforts Of . few members who were familiar
with their purport, and knew the good that
might me OF their passage. TIE libel and
SANDER bill, the quo warranto bill, the ia-
ju-ction bill and the measure for the conse
lidation of certain tewns certainly take rsLk
with the best Of measures which are intro.
ducsd and passed in the Lagislsiure Of any
state in tie Union. The injunction and
quo warranto laws are legal processes used
IN every state the bill for the conso
lidatiou Of towns will cause s great
reduction in lnsular expenses, and the libel
and SANDER law will compel people, espe
sally nesCspspers, to be decent, evenif it is
painful. II car Insplar Legislature had
passed this measure only and then adjourned
is work soould have been well done.
TIE right 70 viuify and degrade people in
ne eyes Of the community, simply because
sns has newspsper ct his command is q