The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-06
PORTO RICQS DEMAND.
Not for statehood or independence, but
for an Elective tppcr House.

'"f on AshtNNA'N Npl'A 'sp"'N'
To lHB EpI1oE or TnB SuN Sir. The
Sun "a making good Its ri ght TO the title OF
a luminnry by the light It's recent publica-
! lions have shed on the economic and politi-
! cal situation of Porto Rico. There are
/ persons who would convince tho Washing
| ton Administration that the dissatisfaction
| OF Porto Ricans and their desire for at least
some modified form OF nationality comes
! from the innate ingratitude OF the Porto
! RlcAn soul
The prevailing attitude throughout tho
| island. as expressed In the confidence and
frankness of private conversation. IS one OF
| dissatisfaction. The causes for this feelin <
are wide reaching. and 1t IL a narrow judg-
ment which attributes II entirely TO the
| monetary stringcnoy and the prostratlon OF
the coffee industry. Tho underlying cause
Is that the Foraker act as It has been oper-
ated has not given TO Porto Ricans tho
measure of freedom and pro gress for which
they have been induced TO hope. That
organic act. which gave the island and It's
inhabitants such status as II has while II
made Americana migrating TO the island
citizens OF Porto Rico. did not make Ameri
can citizens of the Porto Ricans. and the
discrimination il the source OF silent re-
sentiment.
The Foraker act contained in its last
section but one recognition OF the er-
body of statutory law. coupled with pro-
vision for tho revision OF those laws by n
commission. Tho obvious intention was 10
harmonize the law OF the island with American
constitutional principles and the legal system
common 10 tho states OF the Z MON. by cutting
out the relics OF Spanish Catholic govern
rnent That which has actually been done
has been to repeal the law OF the bland, or
rather Ignore lts existence and substitute
in lieu thereof an incoherent inharmonous
patchwork which is the despair of the native
bar
Again. the form OF government Of the
island under tho Foraker act voucheqfes
the autonomic Constitution granted by
Spain on the eve OF the war, under which
the Governors Cabinet and the Provincial
Legislature wore composed OF natives OF IN .
island. Transient az autonomy was van
ishing as it did in the smoke Of the Ameri;
can battle guns. IL made powerful appeal
70 tho pride and patriotism OF the Islanders
In place Of those native leaders, who had
patriots. We have seen the island & finances
handled. first by Fellow from Johns Hop
kins and then by a statistIoian from the
Census Oflce. The administration OF JUS
tice has fallen Into the hands OF an eX-
Congressman from Idaho. public education
has been seoularized under the auspices OF
tho faculty OF the University OF Pennsyl-
vania. the Sisters OF Charity have been
shut out OF the public hospitals. and the
public works have been under tho control
Of n newspaper editor from Indiana. and
they In turn brought from the North scores
Of clerks and typewriters TO o work that
could have been equally well porf formed by
natives.
The servants and officers OF a free Gov
eminent should be chosen by the governed.
and II is safe TO assert that not single ad-
ministratiye officer chosen In Washington
under the provisions OF the Foraker act
has been appointed in Difference to tho
wishes OF the people Of the island. These
house Of the Insular Legislature and are
therefore able TO silence or modify any
legislative expression OF the popular Will
Not one Of them was ever known to have
any knowledge OF the language or legal and
social institutions OF the civilized and en-
llghtencd people he was sent to govern
Patriotism makes ono reluctant to I'll In the
details
It may be that optimism or oarelessness
or neglect on the part OF Congress will
Porto Rico unchanged for half q decade
more. II 20. the native discomfort will grow
more bitter There will be no armed re-
volt. but the jealousy and distrust toward
courage Investments and hinder the prog
ress Of the island IL is hypocrlttcal 70
promise Statehood, which by diverting
customs revenues into the national Treasury
as they must 90 under the Constitution
will cut the island budget In two. But
to concede to the traditions OF American
constitutional government the choice by
the island electorate Of tho upper as wen
M the lower house OF the Legislature would
90 fnr toward appcasing the islanders. az II
would restore to them almost all OF which
they were deprived by the triumph Of tho
American arms. The veto power lod ged
IN the Governor would act as a balance
wheel in the law making machinery Of the
with the change indicated accomplished.
the talk OF Independence or even OF state
hood will cease FRANK II. RICHMOND.
Late Associate Judge. San Juan District
NEw York. March 3.