Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-20
MUST CHECK ORATORS
PORTO RICAN NATIVES NEED
COOL AND TACTFUL LEADERS.
Special Corresponding. Of The Star.

SAN JUAN, p. r.. July 5. 1905.
Unless cool heads can hold some native
orators In check some expressions OF senti-
ment likely to be misunderstood Will
be held In significant convention
in Porto Rico this month. The
mayor OF San Juan. Robert II.
Todd who was a Porto Rican delegate to
the last republican national convention has
started a movement among the cities and
towns OF the island to form a municipal
league for the purpose of drawing up
memorial 10 Congress praying for certain
changes I'm the organic act by which the
people may be granted n more representa-
tive government At meeting OF the city
council a few days ago long letter from
l..e mayor was read, which was approved
unanimously by the council by a standing
vote
Acting upon Mr. Todds suggestion, an in
vitation has been sent to presidents OF all
the town councils asking their cooperation
by naming delegates to attend the conven-
ton and to suggest the point where and
when the convention shall be held.
Without going into any details, or explain
Ing why there is any "discontent among tho
people" Mr.. Todd starts off his letter TO the
council by stating that general discomfort
exists among the people of the island" that
they are pessimistic and that a lack OF faith
prevails among those who were formerly
leaders. This sentiment OF hostility toward
the American government says Mr.. Todd.
Is ever increasing and should il continue
to take root. 1t Is difficult to foretell the
outcome
So-Called Discomfort.
The real reason for the existence for the
so-called discomfort is said to be that the
people are dissatisfied with the form OF gov
eminent provided by the Foraker act. They
desire the executive council abolished and
its place taken by a senate to be elected by
the people as is the lower house of the Leg
islature at present.
The consensus OF opinion, according to
Mr.. Todd. is that the proposed league
should draw up a memorial to Congress. to
be introduced by Commissioner Larrinaga,
praying for certain legislation which shall
remedy the evil.
Mayor Todd says he is acting on his own
responsibility and that the movement Is
not party one. Nearly all the towns OF
Porto Rico have accepted his invitation to
meet in convention and San Juan may be
chosen as the place.
Mayor Todd asserts that before address
Ing the San Juan council he Acting
Governor Post about the matter and that
Mr.. Post told the mayor that the proper
thing for the people OF the island to do IL
they were disconnected or dissatisfied was
for them to meet in convention. embody
their grievances I'm n set of resolutions and
submit these to the United States governs.
ment. through Commissioner Larrinaga. at
Washington
American Opinion.
OF course no American here believes that
Congress will hasten to abolish tho exec
utive council and substitute therefor a ma
tive elective senate. even though Commits
sioner Larrinaga requests It in fiowery lam
guage. Apparently the only result of the
coming convention will be expression OF
native opinion as to the truth OF Mayor
Todds declaration that hostility to Amer
lean government Is increasing here.
In that respect establishing for them
selves a definite position as to loyalty. the
representative Porto Ricans will have a
rare chance to show just where they stand.
They cannot take to the woods, for there
are no woods. politically. In Porto Rico