BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-10-06
EDITORIAL.

of the Executive Council; another the
fire in Rio PiedraS, and the third the
Saddening spectacle of the poor un-
fortunateS who were thrown out of the
miserable huts which they have raised
on the shores of the malarial swamp.
Let us consider them separately,
without according any greater i'm
portance to one than the other.
AS the sworn foes of everything
which is in the slightest sense a de-
Walton from right and justice, we can
do no less than applaud the action of
the Executive Council, in its session
of the day before yesterday.
1t is not only that we are deeply
satisfied with our triumph, nor do we
care to sing our own praises on ac-
count of the great victory won. We
have not had to carry on a campaign.
We have written but one article, in
which we express the condensed
crystalization of public opinion in re
gard to the matter of election judges.
1t seems that the government was
with us in this opinion; and the peo
pie were with the government; and
IN this case all those who are pure in
politicsand free from personal inter-
ests in the guise of party affiliations
can join in the rejoicing. 1t is a
strong point gained. The resolution
of the Council will have great moral
influence.
Nothing on earth is more baleful
in its effect on the public mind, moth
ing is more prone to poison public
opinion than the sight of partiality
and injustice on the part of those in
authority, and the whole collective
body is bound to suffer the spread of
the evil, when the clear light of equity
and fairness fails to shine from the
highest pinnacle Of the governing
authority. And it is of the greatest
Importance that we should have abso-
lutte mpartiality and fair play.
Let who will have the majorities;
let popularity follow him who wins it,
leave the triumphs to those who work
hardest to secure them; but above and
beyond all let not the law be shat
tered for the favoring of the merce-
rneditatedly lend the strength of the
law to the commission of crimes against
justice.
From whatever viewpoint those who
had personal interests in the outcome
may look at the history of the day be-
fore yesterdays happening, we who
are free from all alliances and compll-
cations whatsoever that might influence
us toward one side Or the other, can
a.
{ > the act of the Executive Council,
and this time can find no fault, where
SO many times before we have been
compelled to pick flaws.
The resolution was made straight
from the shoulder-but it was neces-
sary that it should be expressed with
strength and clearness. 1t was neces-
sary that the government should thus,
once and for ali time, clearly and
forcibly stand out for respect and
compliance with the law, that it should
be interpreted with equity, and that
as far as possible in its Interpretation
the errors of the past should De cor
rected.
From whatever light the subject is
viewed, the declaration made by the
. Executive Council was most timely.
This shows that the government has
finally determined to put an end to
the abnormal conditions existing here
totore; to strike out On new course,
of reforms, of changes and OF cor
rections of past abuses, which at first
may be irksome and difficult, but
which will eventually lead to the ideal
which we have 50 long been striving
for. AS a precursor of radical change
III methods the C0nncils work Can
not have been in vain.
t:s:It is an eloquent forerunner Of some
thing sensational that is soon to be
heard.
In direct contrast to the news CT
better things to come that is heard
rom the Executive Council, there
comes alarming tidings of fear and
CONSERVATION on the part of the whole
population Of Rio Piedras-where the
people are in dread and mortal terror
1t the fall of night Of what the next
morning may witness.
We echo the alarm and terror that
S in the mind Of everyone in Rio
Eiedras, a desperation grown from a
ear that has seized upon the crushed
aud terrified towns people.
r -.