Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-05-28
new LAWS
IN PORTO RICO
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Continued from First page.)
day, but presume 1t is for the lack Of
something else to talk about. On the
same day that your elections take
place an election will also be held In
this island. II. on the other hand.
is a theme well worthy Of discussion,
not only by such individuals as are
directly interested in the result, but
also by such as. like myself, will not
be entitled to vote on account of in
sufficient residence. Popular suffrage
in Porto Rico is something Of an in
novation. Whether the elective fran
chise was wisely conferred upon the
masses of the people or not is some.
thing which yet remains to be seen,
but 1t cannot be said that the expert
ment thus far has been such as to
encourage the growth or establish
ment of the principle. At the last
elections the widest scenes of disor,
der took place at the polls. A sum.
ming up Of the days casualties show
ed a number of broken heads and
limbs, not a little ~bloodshed. and In
some instances cost the lives of GER
tain persons. A repetition of such
scenes Is expected at the coming cleo
tons. Party feeling runs very high,
Persons belonging to opposite polit
ical parties r bitter personal enc
mics. There are three organizations
here which deserve the name Of a pc
litical party, and between them nc
love is lost. They are the Republican
party, which is now riding on the
high horse, the federal party headed
by Munoz Rivera. and the socialist:
under the leadership of Santiago Ig
lesias. The chief of the Republican
party Is one Doctor Barbosa, and
whatever may be said of the rank ant
file of his adherents, it must be sale
of this gentleman that he Is one o
the most able. patriotic and sensible
public men that this country has pro
duced. Doctor Barbosa was educated
at Ann Arbor university; he has live'
for many years in the United States
and Is decidedly pro-American in al
his ideas. He has not dedicated him
self very diligently to the practice o
medicine, but is considered an author
ity upon tropical diseases. He is
member of the Executive Council, ant
frequently addresses that body II
good, fluent English. He is none tn
less respected and admired because b,
belongs to the colored race, possesse
great influence over his followers, an
is in frequent consultation with Gov
ernor Hunt, whose confidence he en-
joys. Like Booker Washington h
never tired of working for the we
fare Of his own people, and. like tn
distinguished American negro, ha
many of the same ideas c%oncernin
the social equality of the two races
never intruding himself in any plac
where he might be considered objet
tionable on account of his color.
the United States ever succeeds 4
americanizing this island, which som
people doubt, 1t will be largely du
to the efforts Of this man. The RI
publican party. of which Doctor Bal
bosa is the acknowledged dictator
claims to be working in harmony wit
the authorities to bring this island I
an acceptance of the American sy!
tenn. In its personnel are found
great many members of the colore
race, who have been chiefly benefi
ed by the change Of sovereignty, q
well as many other who are perfect
white and are among the best of on
citizens. At the last election the RI
publicans were everywhere triumph
ant, 1t bling claimed by some that tn
federals were inundated and M
permitted to vote. The federals al
now anxious to go into power. The
declare that they will purify the j.
! dietary and purge the public offices
the corrupt elements now In contro
Munoz Rivera. the leader Of this o
, ganization, lives in New York, and
, editor and proprietor of the Port
|, Rican Herald, a weekly publicatio
, fercely opposed to Americans. II
, party is composed of some Of II
best and wealthiest citizens Of the !
land and of the adherents of the a
, cient Spanish aristocracy, and the
policy is one OF steady obstructic
to the ruling authorities. The 81
Juan News, an American paper pu