New-York tribune., 1902-12-15
REFORM FOR PORTO RICO.
Increment to Place Island ON Merit
.N1LSfPW


San Juan Dec (SpeciaD.-A bill will be intro
duced in the next Legislative Assembly OF Porto
Rico to place under Civil Service all positions
In the Insular Government except those heid py
Presidential appointment The present lnolcauons
are that the measure will be beaten. despite the
fact that the Republican the majority party in
the House of Delegates, is commonly reputed to
be the administration party and that PRESIDENT
Roosevelt and Governor Hunt favor the appllca-
ton of Civil Service laws, first to insuiar places
and later the municipalities. The situation
is therefore, unique and interesting. Governor
Hunt is outspoken regarding the matter he
said
while I was Secretary for Porto Rico went
on record as to my attitude toward Civil Service
report to the Governor at thal tlire en-
phaticaly stated that l firmly believed that the
best thing that could possibly happen to iachta'e
public business and get the best eHofts OUT VI
government employees was to lnauSura'e the
merit system. Since the making of that state
rnent 7 have had no occasion to change my opin-
ion Any talk with reference to the passing OK
Civil Service laws at this moment is premature e.
as that is a matter for the Legislature "hen 1t
meets. There can be doubt that civil Service
would be a great boon, insuring as II does that
merit will win and that favoritism Will not be
responsible for advancement in the governmental
service. -
II am as vet unable TO say, but the hRehhoou
is that Will make mention of Civil Service
in my message to the legislative aSsefhplS oii
January next This matter is all in an enlpf!otie
state so il is impossible to say just what ac'oh
1 will take
Asked f any legislation was likely that "oulo
affect the present status of employees OF the III
stlIar government, the Governor replied;
No. | don't think it likely that any laws "0u'u
be passed that would interfere III any way Win
the present position held by any one IN 'ne so'etn
ment service. All il might do would De 10 govern govern
promotions which would then be by competitive
examinations In this way the best man lor tHe
place would always be procured
Asked if the Civil Service laws would Apply 10
municipalities the Governor said:
1T will, l think, be the idea OF the nrst Id"
that mght be passed to take In only the insuiar
government positions. but it would be the ultimate
idea to incorporate municipal positions in the civil
Service Department later on. This would take them
out of politics and would be great thins -0t '"e
island
The Federal party. which is opposed 10 tne au M
mnistraton of Governor Hunt Will s'aho WIN
him in support of this measure, thus credIls
novel and complex legislative problem IN TIC
next House of Delegates there will be ten eosiatS
and twenty-five Republicans. The Repuohcals nave
generally, up TO this time, controlled the aPpoii'
nents OF the natives who have been put IN lhsuidi
government positions. but for two years there nave
been no Federals In the House. hence every oill
introduced by native has come from kepuo-
lcan and along all lines Republicans nave hao tuii
sway in legislative matters.
The Governors stronghold is the Executive Coun-
Gil all appointees of the President. The council
can If it will bring back into the traces any Re
publicans who may chance to kick over them on the
Civil Service question but the moment 1t does the
result will be schism between the administration
and majority party. On the other hand. trouble
may~D De avoided Il DR.. Earbosa the shrewd Repuo-
lican leader gives orders that his followers in the
House are support Civil Service bill. 1he sue
cess of the will then be instantly insured
The principles Of Civil Service outside Of the
municipalities, have always been applied in Porto
Rico. first by Governor Allen and later by Gov
ernor Hunt The merit system has generally con-
troued promotions and faithful employees have had
no reason to fear dismissal National politics have
cut no figure and many ardent Democrats from the
States hold good positions because OF their eff
clency. In recent speech at a private dinner in
San Juan Governor Hunt paid this tribute TO the
insular government employees
The aims OF the general government are steady
to fulfil their high missions with unseish accu-
racy: Speaking OF those with whom IT has been
my fortune be associated. let me here say that
line OF duty followed II more carefully without
or intemperate abuse. That will fade
away. but things done will last forever, They have
work as pioneers has been and is 10 instruct, what
they have done will soon pass into history; they
have oeen out the 20 brlng dressings 10
claimed by all in Porto Rico.
The situation in the municipalities. where local
politics govern appointments Is not so satisfac-
While the insuar government Offices have been
kept free the faint of dishonesty. 1t cannot be
said that municipal affairs. in which the alcaides
mayors are the ruling powers have been as
satisfactory. City positions have frequently been
party leaders. and Governor Hunt is kept busy In
vestlgating complaints and furnishing offenders. 1t
Civil Service laws applied to municipalities. 1t
would accomplish reforms much needed in Porto