The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-12-11


island tie largest measure 81 scli gov
eminent that ran with safety be given
OF The present tifne, II would nave been
. very serious mistake TO have gone
any faster than we have already gone
IN this direction. The Porto Kicans have
complete and absolute autonomy in ell
their municipal governments. the only
power over Them possessed by the IN
Hilar government being that pf remov
Ink corrupt Or Incompetent municipal
officials This power has never been
exercised ava 90 the ttarcst Grnof Of
corruption % Incompetence such AZ 10
ieopardize the interests ~ the leland I;
and under such circumstances Il has
been fearlessig used 70 the immense ben
tnt Of the people II Is no; a power with
which II would be safe, for the saks Of
the Island itseIf. % dispense at present
The lower house + absolutely elective,
while the upper house y app0iHtiye.
This scheme Il working well no inius-
tice ~ any Kind results from ~ and
great benefit - the island. and II should
certainly net he changed "A this time.
Thc machinery 1T the elections n IA
ininiatesed entirely Ny Tic Porto Rican
people themselves. the governor AMI
council keeping only such supervision
as 4 necessary IN order 10 insure an
orderly election Any protest az 10
electoral frauds Is settled Ia The courts.
Here again Il would not w. safe 10 make
any change n the present system. Tie
elections this year were absolutely or
DERBY, unaeepmpanied by any disturb.
ances and no protest has haen made
against the management 81 thc elections
although three contests arc threatened
where the malofities we're very small
and error WIS claimed the contests, 81
course, to be settled ID the courts. in
thaft the governor and council are GO.
operating with AL Of the most enlight.
ohcl and most patriotic Of The people
Of Porto Rico N educating the citizens
Of the island IN the principles Of orderly
liberty They are prviding a government
based upon each citigen'a self.respeet
ami the mutual respect Of oil citizens
that ~. hased Upon rigid observance
81 the principles u Justice and honesty
/ Ii has not bern easy ~ instill into the
minda Of people mnaccustOmed 10 the e1t
erciae 81 freedom. the two basic pfinci
/ ples Of our American system; the princi
Die that the majority must rule, and ths
lpfindple that the minority haa fight'
which must not be disfegarded or tram
pied upon. Yet real progfess has beer
made IN having these principles acceptee
Va elementary. as foundations Of sue
cesstul self government
transmit herewith the report Of thl
governor IL Porto Rico, sent 70 the Pres
! idcnt through The Secretary Of State.
An the inaliar governments should b
placed III one bureau. either 10 the De
lrartment Of War Or The Department o.
state II il mistake not so to ar
range our handling OF these islands 81
Washington as to be able 60 take 40
vantage Of tie experience gained IN ono
when dealing with the problems thai
from time TO time arise IN another.
In conclusion let me express my nd
miration for The work done by the Con
greAs when Il enacted the law undc
which the island II now being admin
listered. After seeing the island per
sonalv. and after iiye years cxcrienc'
in connection with its administration
| II Il but fair to those who devised thi
flaw 60 say that Il would be wel.nigl
Impossible co have doyiscd any othe
which IN the actual working would hay'
accomplished better results,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.