Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-18
PORTO RICO PLEASED
GRATIFICATION AT ACTION OF
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Effect of In reasing the Privileges of
Resident Commissioner Degeteau
Gov. Hunts Views.


''i'Niai correspondence Oh iHe ENfhiiS Stai-
SAN JUAN, p. r., February 10, 1904.
Every member of the House OF Represen-
tatives in Washington who voted for the
resolution TO seat FREDERICK Degeteau, resi-
dent commissioner of Porto Rico. a ter
ritorial delegate would feel the conscious
ness of a good deed well done if he could
mingle just now with natives and Ameri-
ctn liz the island and hear the favorable
comments. In fact, there are no opinions
adverse to the propriety or justice of the
action, which is looked upon as thoroughly
American in spirit
Just at this time some such expression
OF interest by Cong ess was needed to allay
native fears and Offset anti-administration
TRADES to the effect that the Washington
politicians never give a thought to the
Eeeos OF Porto Rico or encourage the island
10 move in the direction of territorial rights
ana ultimate statehood. Now there is re-
1olcing throughout the island and native
hopes for bright future have been re-
NiVed. In brief, the political effect of seat
Ing Mr. Degeteau and his successors has
DeeH immediate, beneficial and far reach
ing.
Gov. Hunt Gratifled.
Governor Hunt, who voices the sentiment
of all the administration leaders here. said:
Il am very much gratified by the action
or the House of Representatives. The in
terests of the million souls within the
island of Porto Rico can be much more
directly presented to Congress by COM
missioner with power to introduce bills and
speak than by one whose voice could only
be heard by committees
me island is entitled to federal consid-
-uoh- It's harbors need dredging. it's
postal facilities need extension, its agri-
cultural experiment stations need special
ctrs'derat ton. its Notifications need repair
ana It's educational requirements ought to
A-cfr. 81 - Il
no lnsular bureau charged with the special
duty of looking after these and like things
n Washington it should be helpful to feel
that they can be laid before Congress by
representative elected by Porto Rcans
themselves"
Commissioner Degeteau.
FREDERICK Degeteau. who has held the
Office of resident commissioner in WASH
ington from Porto Rico to the United
states, belongs to the local republican
party. He IS paid 5000 a year from in
sular funds and is serving his second ben
nal term, which Will expire on December
81 next. His successor will be elected by
popular vote in the island next November.
ana unless all present signs fail will be a
republican
commissioner Degeteau was born at
Ponce, p. r.. and was graduated as a
bachelor of science and arts at Barcelona
spain. and as a bachelor of laws at Madrid
tie was one of the four commissioners sent
by Porto Rico to ask Spain for autonomy.
ana the district of Ponce elected him a
deputy to the Spanish cortes of 1898 I-p,u
american occupation Gen. Henry appointed
Ilnl secretary of the interior of the first
American cabinet formed in Porto Rico
Later he was q member of the insuIar
board of charities, first vice president of
the municipal council of San Juan and
president of the board of education of .he
capital. lie was first elected resident COM
missioner on November s. 1890 by 5s515
votes against but las cast for his federal
opponent. the federals having generally re-
fused to vote. In November 1902 Mr. De-
geteau WAS reelected by more than 10000
majority, carrying five of the seven election
districts of the island He was admitted
10 practice in the Supreme Court of the
United States on April 80, 1901 and is an
bic lawyer.
The local republican party is of course,
highly elated by the seating of Mr.. De,
geteau. DR.. Jose Brioso and Mayor Robert
H. Todd of San Juan. who recently return
ed TO Porto Rico after comforting with
President Roosevelt. Senators Hanna and
Foraker and others concerning the admis-
sior of six delegates of the party to the
republican national convention, declare
confidence that the delegates will be ld-
mitted- If they are. they will all vote for
Rcosevelts nomination