Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-03
ARE ANT|-AME R|CAN
Porto Ricans Want to Be In
dependent.
MR.. MEDINA'S BILL
DECLARING ISLAND A estate"
UNDER U. S. PRoTRCToRATE.
It's Various Provisions Set Forth-The
Hour Has Come to Rebuke
This Sentiment.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star

SAN JUAN, L. H., January 20, 15oo.
Even the most optimistic and patient
Americans here are viewing with apprehen-
sion the anti-Amercan spirit which seems
to be Grazing the house of delegates and
which is evident all over the island. The
most sensational political Incident of the
past week was a rabd ant1-American
speech by Speaker Matienzo Clntron or the
house a leader of the unionist party ana
who was for four years member OF the
executive council as an appointee of Pres
ident Mckinley. His speech was filled with
contemplate references to the administra-
tion ana was cheered to the echo by the ex-
cited delegates. Delegate Ochoteco de-
clared that porto Ricans should ask for
their liberty with their heads held up and
not srovelling on the ground and other
bitter speeches were made before the pass
ing of the memorial to the United States
Congress demanding greater Liberties
Delegate Medina of Mayaguez stlll STANDS
boldly for the independence of Porto RICO.
He says that American rule is more ty-
rannical than that of Spain and that forto
Rico will never be content unul she Is Tree.
The local press calls him the Patrick Henry
of the house.
Delegate Medina's Bill.
Delegate Medina's bill is to declare
Porto Rico an independent territory under
United States protectorate and to be
styled the state of, Porto Rico The
United States shall have no power to in
terfere in the internal or external govern
ment of Porto Rico beyond the appoint
ment of a civil governor for the island, ana
this appointment shall be made by the
President of the United States.
The governor shall be the commander OF
the insular military and naval forces. which
shall be placed al the disposal OF the Chlteo
States in time of war. and also of the DO
lice He shall be the United states repre-
sentative in the island with similar powers
to those with which consul general IS IN
vested; besides this the dignity OF vice pres
ident of the congress Of the state or Porto
Rico shall be conferred upon him, he shall
attend all the sessions of the congress as a
passive member, furnish all the lntorma-
ton that shall be required of him that he
may be able to give, but snail nave no
voice or vote in the affairs of the congress
except at such times as he may be called
upon TO preside. He Us deprived OF the
power of veto and can only exercise clem-
ency in the, case of criminals condemned
for crimes other than those of fraud
against the treasury of Porto Rlco or
treason to the state OF Porto RICO or the
United States. He shall remove from OF
flee all public officials or functionaries con-
victed of crime and fill the vacancies oc-
curing in the state council in accordance
with law. He shall annually report to the
President of the United Sta ties and TO the
Senate the condition of affalrs IN Porto
Rico and shall receive an annual salary OF
$1,000 for his services, his appointment De
ing for term of four years.
All persons taking the oath of allegiance
to the state of Porto Rico Shall be citizens
of the same. Citizens of the United States
and of Porto Rico are equally entitled 10
hold any office in the country.
The state of Porto Rico shall take no part
whatever in the affairs of the United states
,,,la nav
resources at their disposal in time of war,
and it shall be the duty of Porto Rico IN
every instance, to support the rights ana
liberties of the confederation.
Merchandise imported from the unlted
States shall pay no import duties in Porto
Rico except on such articles as silks, meri-
nos, cassmeres, hardware, pertumery, goo
and silver jewelry, precious stones furnl-
ture and other articles produced by manuai
labor ready-made eliot hing, boots and such
fancy articles as shall be provided for by
law, The currency Of the state of Porto
Rico shall be United States coin and paper
money.
Divided Into Seven Districts.
The state of Porto Rico shall be divided
into seven districts, as equal as possible
as to extension and population, and each
district subdivided into nine counties when
shall likewise be as equal as possible IN eX-
tension and population. There shall be
seven senates, corresponding to the seven
districts each to be composed of nine rep
resentatives elected by popular vote Tor
term of four years. The 'slXty-thfee rep
resentatiyes thus elected shall form reg
slative body which shall sit for thlr!y nv
days each year, from April l to May D, ana
as often afterward as the governor may see
fit to cCnvoke it for special sessions. vi
the second day of its first session each Oh
the seven senates composing the leslslatiVe
body shall elect a councilor ana lhe seven
councillors thus elected shall form the eX-
ecutive body. which shah be styled the state
councils These seven councillors Snail pe
the heads of the seven departments 10 De
created.
Each councillor must not be less than
thirty years of age, be able to. read ana
write either English or Spanish, De u ci,i-
zen of Porto Rico and have resided IN tle
island for a period of not less tLdn iiliie
years, the salary of each snail pc so'9oo pei
annum, and may only be removed iron.
office for negligence, smisa ppfopriatioii u
funds, fraud or physical incapacity.
The state council shall form the COVER
nor's cabinet and shall meet at leas. one
month or as many times thereafter as
may be necessary. ltIshali attend the les
isative assembly during its sessions ahu
may take part in its discussions, put shall
| have no power to vote. The heaGs ot the
seven departments shall have absolute con-
troll of their respective departments lhahe
such rules and regulations Tor thelr suic
ance as they may deem proper, appoint
| such employees as may sDe IeSc99uiS 80" -
nually make full reports ae the Ohltea
| States President, Secretary OF state ana
| Congress.
| Each county shall elect representa-
| tive by popular vote, as also a substitute.
| who shall take the place of the repre-
sentative proper IN Ease OF absence or
| DEATH No representative shall be less
! than twenty-five years OF age and must
be able to read and write either English
or Spanish. The elections for all repre-
for
| must be held throughout the Island ON
the same day. Each. county shall nave
full autonomy. No biql shall become law
| until it has been published at least ten
| different times in the various newspapers
| of the island or in the official Gazette.
chief justice. tvs assistant judges and
attorney shall each receive $4,000 per an
num- and the salary of the marshal shall
be $1,000 per annuIn,
There shall be seven district courts,
each to have one judge, one attorney and
one marshal. the salary of the two for
mer to be $1,000 and that of the latter