New-York tribune., 1903-04-09
PORTO RICO'S PROGRESS.
No0eL Features of It's Government
Outlined by j. S. Harlan.

Washington April (SpecfaD-James s Harlan
whose resignation Attorney General of Porto
hlco is now in the Presidents hands to-day out
lined some of the novel features of Porto Fican
government, which he believes is making the island
prosperous and contented. The island government
has a S5ooo00 surplus and debt; pays no tribute
TO the federal government and receives financial
assistance therefrom.
My only fear" said Mr.. Harlan. lis that we
are too prosperous for our own good The fact
that we have a surplus which is growing larger
each year and the further fact that get
ting along well may lead to change by
Congress in present relation the federal gov
ernuent Congress may deem il wise TO take over
the customs revenues or extend the internal reVe-
system Of the government over the Island l
can only hope that this will not occur as II would
be great blow the islands progress. and wouIo
retard what in judgment Is going to De spAeil-
did success in colonial government
IF Congress Will simply leave Porto Rico alone
for the next twenty-five years the people OF TINS
country viii be astounded at the result Porto RICO
viii be the garden spot Of the country. supporting
a well-to-do community Of Intelligent citlzens Pa-
trfotic and peace loving
In reviewing the general features OF the Foito
Rican government Mr.. Harlan called attention 10
the fact that it unlike any other government
in the federal system except in some respecIs' '1e
Philippine government
You nay call it territorial or colonial, as you
choose" he continued Its distinguishing feature
is that It does not contribute to the national treas
the so-caled Dingley tariff act is in force in the
island, and from that source officers appointed oy
the federal government collect large amounts Oh
revenue But every dollar so collected goes into the
insuar treasury, instead Of into the nanonaI treas
ury this city.
Under authority Of the Foraker act the tnsular
government has also established system OF inter
naI revenue taxes Of its own, and the 1ederal sys
TEN OF internal revenue taxation has never been
extended TO the island, that every dollar colect
cd -l7a ctII
spirits and other products which in other parts OF
the United States pay tribute TO the federal treas
ury, remains with the island treasury. These two
sources Of income supply the greater part OF lHe
total annual collections
The result is that we are enabled carry on a
system OF government as complex as any other
State or Territorial government Of the country
and this although Porto Rico can be classeo as
only an agricultural community, with no great
manufacturing commercial interests from whlch
TO derive governmental support We are carrying
on an elaborate system Of road improvements We
are opening up agricultural LANDS, and "ndl
is perhaps more important. we are inauguraung
an extensive school system throughout the lslano-
In every way we maintaining beneficial public
works such are carried on in highly organized
The situation is a most ideal one: We are not
the slightest burden to the national government
Porto Rico does not contribute in any way to the
% @ nrato Of t5 tb2 ths e ss
TO any portion Of the United States. and az ne
burden Of that protection. In this respect We diner
from Alaska and Hawaii. where both the customs @
and internal revenue collections are covered INTO
the Treasury Washington ,,,
do the Porto RicanS realize their good fortune!
Yes: although the last session OF the issls-
lature there introduced into the lower mouse
two propositions for a change. one was JOINT
memorial asking for Territorial form OF govern
rnent and the other q joint resolution ASKING ioI
the extension of the Constitution OF the United
States over the island But, in fact. neither OF
these propositions was thoroughly UNDERSTOOD oy
the people at large, and nothing came OF them
There two political parties in the island tle
Republican and the Federal. The Republican party.
which is now in power. seems to be most wiling 70
adopt the American system of government more
readily The Federal party has announced lts al
legIance the American system, put seems more
conservative its adoption Of the same. Yet our
ing the last session Of the legislature IL was olIH
cult TO discover any substantial difference between
the two parties. They Joined cordially IN voting
for measures that indicated progress and tat were
American in origin The session most harmonl-
Gus and resulted in measures that are most credlt-
ebie TO parties and to the people In my Juos
rnent that session may be accepted as a. demon
stration Of the fitness Of the Porto dcan people TO
administer a free government such as they now
eniov 1t demonstrated q gratifying capacity Tor
island and showed a real understanding of the
dignity and responsibility of the legislative of1ce
Mn frpression is that there has been tremendous
advaDce toward AmericaniZing the government and
it's people. So -,
ssIhese gratifying political conditions have been
ACCOMPANIED by a marked Improvement IN com
merciai conditions There is little difficulty just
now caused by the low price Of coffee. but with
that exception there is every indication or real,
s11h antfal prosperity.