The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-12-20

the benefit of throwing open oul
market to it has not compensated fol
the loss inflicted by the closing of ths
markets to it abroad. / call your at
| tention to the accompanying memo
rial on this subject of the board OF
trade of San Juan, and I earnestly
hope that some measure Will be taken
for the benefit of the excellent and
high grade Porto Rican coffee.
In addition to delegations from the
board of trade and chamber of com.
merce of San Juan, l also received
DELEGATIONS from the Porto Riceo
Federation of Labor, and from the
Coffee Growers Association.
Question of Citizenship.
There is a matter to which I wish
to call your special attention, and
hat is the desirability of comforting
Gu!l American citizenship upon tn
people of Fcrto Rico. l Lost earn
easily hope that this will be done. l
can not see how any harm can pos
sibly result from it, and it seems to
me a matter of right and justice to
The people of Porto Rico. They are
loyal, they arc glad to be under our
Gag, they are making rapid progress
along the path Of orderly liberty.
Surely we should show our apprecia-
ton OF them, our pride in what they
have done, aid our pleasure in ex-
tending recognition for what has thus
been done, by granting them full
American citizenship.
Under tie wise administration of
the present progress has been made in
the difficult matter Of granting to the
people of the island the largest meas
Urc Of self-goverament that can with
safety be given at the present time.
It would have been q very serious
mistakes to have gone any facter than
We have already gone in this direc-
ton. The Porto Ricans have COM
plete and absolute autonomy in all
their municipal governments, the OH
II power over them possessed by tho
iHsular government being that of re-
moving corrupt or incompetent mu-
officials. This power has
never been exercised save OH the
clc&rest proof of corruption OF in
COMPREHENSIVE as to ~jeopardiza
the interests Of the people Of the IS
land; and under such circumstances
i has been faarlassly used to tins
immense benefit Of the people. 1t IS
not q power with which it would be
s&Gc. foE tie sake Of the island itself,
70 dispense at present. The lower
House is absolutely elective, while the
PIPER House is appointive. This
scheme is working we'll; no injustice
any kind results from it, aud
great benefit to the island, and it
certainly not be changed at
this time. The machinery Of the
elections is administered entirely by
the Porto Rican people themselves,
the Governor and council keeping on
such supervision as is necessary
II order to insure an orderly elac-
ion. Any protest as to electoral!
is settled in the courts. Here
again it would not be safe to make
any change in the present system.
The elections this year were absolute
Y orderly, unaccompanied by any
disturbance; and no protest has been
made against the management of tho
elections, although three contests are
threatened, where the mGjoritics
vcre very small and error was claim
ii; the contests, Of course, to be set
led in the courts. In short. the
Governor and council are co-opcrat-
.ng with all of the most enlightened
md most patriotic of the people of
Porto Rico in educating the citizens
II this island in the principles Of or
lerly liberty. They are providing i
government based upon each citizens
'eif-respect, and the mutual respect
# all citizens; that is, based upon j
1gid observance Of the principles Of
Justice and honesty. It has not heon
,asy to instil into the minds of peo-
lie unaccUstOmed to the exercise Of
.reedom, the two basic principles of
'ur American system; the principle |
hat the majority must rule, and the
principle that the minority has rights
Which must not be disregarded or
5ramPled upon. Yet real progress
las been made in having these prilI-
lples accepted as elementary, as the
foundations Of successful self-govern-
nent.
L transmit herewith the report Of
he Governor Of Porto Rico, sent to
he President through the Secretary
f State. .. ~ |
All the %insular governments should
re placed In n bureau, either i'll
he Department Of War or the De-
'artment of State. It is a mistaks |
lot so to arrange our handling of
hese islands at Washington as to be
BILE to take advantage of the ex-
'erience gained in one, when dealing
With the problems that from time to
ime arise in another.
In conclusion let me express my
y - =. o 4