The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-05
LAWS FOR PORTO RICO
REPORT OF THE REVISION AND
COMPILATION COMMISSION.
Spanish Methods and Statistics
Changed or boIfshed-Amertcan
Forms and Laws Provided For.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-The commits
sion to revise and compile the laws OF
Porto Rico, appointed by virtue OF the act
of April II. 1900. has submitted its report to
the attorney general The commission con-
sisted of Joseph r. DAILY. of New York.
and L. 8. Rowe. OF Pennsylvania, and
Juan Hcrnandes Lopez Of Porto Rico. The
work undertaken was the revision and
compilation OF practically all the old Span
ish laws. The report is in two volumes in
English and Spanish. The first volume Is
devoted to commentary on the Spanish
system and on the changes proposed by RI,
commission. The second volume contains
the legal text.
The commission. after an exhaustive
study or the Spanish system. proceeded to
make the most necessary changes. such as
the reorganization of the judicial system
and the system of local government. the
revision OF the law OF marriage and divorce
and wills and intestacies and a number of
other important branches of the civil and
criminal law. The most important work of
the commission was the revision of the
organic act Of Porto Rico. comnonIt,
known the Foraker act
The system OF local government proposed
by the commission includes a county city,
ana village organization. Under SDaniS Sb
rule the island was divided into sixty-seven
divisions. known as ''municipios which
subjected TO the strictest form OF control
by the central government- The mayors
were appointed by the governor general
and the members OF the town coupciIs
were subject to this will in fact IL not in
law Local self-government was unknovn
The commission has taken a long stem IN
the direction of local autonomy bur bas
placed sufficient power I'm the insular soI,
ernment 10 guard against the dangers Of
local inexperience or incompetence Rriee,,
stated. the system leaves 10 the local am
thorities the management of local affairs
but preScribes a definite standard of efIi-
cieny in the most important services such
sanitation. drainage. water supply
street cleaning. etc. IL the local govern
ments fail to meet these standards the in
sular government is given sufficient power
to meet every emergency. The ha bea
corpus act is another OF the important
changes proposed by the commission
The subject Of marriage and divorce also
does not recognize divorce. although a
separate proceeding is provided for. This
branch of the law has been brought into
close harmony with the system prevailing
in such States as New York and Massa
chusetts.
IN the matter OF Wills and intestacies. the
Spanish civil code leaves but little freedom
10 the testator. Here again an adaptation
10 the system prevailing I'm the United
states has been made.
At the expiration Of the term fixed by
Congress for the presentation Of this re-
port. the Governor OF Porto Rico appointed
code committee 10 continue the work OF
the first commission The membership of
the second commission was the same as
that OF the nrst. with the exception of the
substitution OF j. NJ keedy. OF Maryland
for Joseph r. DAILY. the latter being unable
TO serve. The second commission. of which
| DR. l. 8 Rose is chairman. has utilized
the work OF the irst commission In gen
eral revision OF the existing codes The
report OF this second commission which
Will be published shortly, includes a poti.
cal code. penal code. a code OF Grimm a
procedure and a civil code.