The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-07-30
NO INDEPE PENOENCE
FOR PORTO R|CANS
SAYS GOVERNOR
Old Glory Must Remain Over Is
lands, Says Reilly
STATEHOOD is POSSIBLE
New Executive Declares Foreign
ers Must Uphold the Es-
tablished Government

San Juan, p. r., July Ex-Governor
e. Mont Rely, the new.y appointed
chief executive OF Porto Rico, was in,
augurated today with appropriate
ceremonies and In the course OF his
inaugural address declared strongly
against any agitation for independence
Of the islands which, he said, Games
largely from foreigners.
SO long as Old Glory waves over
the I'm ted States, it will wave over
Porto Rico declared the Governor,
He continued
Il want you to be fully aware that
there Is no room in Porto Rico for
any foreigner who is not willing TO
support and uphold our established
government There is no sympathy or
possible hope in the United States for
independence for Porto Rico, from any
individual, or from any political party.
THE last two great national con
yentions held in the United States,
Democratic and Republican, dec ared
unanimous y against independence for
Porto Rico. Neither. my friends, Is
there any place in these Islands for any
nag save the flag of our beloved and
common country the stars and stripes,
and there never shall be- So long as
Old Glory waves over the United
States, 1t VIII wave over Porto Rico.
If a majority Of the people Of these
Islands desire change in their govern
ment, | would suggest that they adyo-
cate statehood Pan to place your
selves in the same condition and situ-
alton that obtains today in New York,
Missouri. and California, and trust
the American people for perpetual
square deal If you can bring this
happy condition about, YOU can then
elect your own government, your own
congre sman, your own Tn ted States
Senators and then. you can fully enjoy
the privileges and fruits OF the Liber-
ty OF Statehood,
''ln accepting this call to the Cover.
norship, at the hands of our great chief
executive, have done so with an open
hand, an open m nd, and an open heart.
for all of the peop es OF these islands
said Governor Rely. 81 have come
here, not 20 much govern, but to be
one of you and to be your servant |
believe that those people who are
least governed are usually best govern
ed. and are the most contented and
happy. have not come toHbe the
Governor of any class, any party, any
sect, or any religion, but to be Govern
or OF a ! the people.
Il know there has been strong party
differences in Porto Rico as to how
governmental affairs should be con.
Quoted. and while do not question
the absolute patriotism and sincerity
of any party or party leader. | believe
that we could all have better under.
standing of affairs. generally II VIC
wi on y grant each other the same
unique toned motives we exact from
others. In other words, let us join
hands across the chasm OF party di.
vision and put aside party discord and
try to forget our dissensions of the
past uphold patriotism and work for
the one great common cause, namely
of the we l-boing and urbuild'ng OF
Porto Rico
Today You are as much a part OF
the United States as any sovereign
state of our beloved American union.
While serving as your Governor and
trying to be equa ly fair to al. | hope
you will understand that shall stead
fastly uphold and stand for our Nation.
al government first In the prophetic
language Of President Harding shall
stand for America First"
Governor Rely, touching on the
subject of recent conflicts between
capital and labor on the sand express.
ed his sympathy for those who toll
and declared he would be happy to
help settle industrial differences,
Capital and labor are hand.maldens
in the world of affairs and progress"
he said, "and neither can succeed with.
out the other
He declared he would like to aid In
making the growing of coffee more
profitable for sma planters. He also
EXPIRE essed himself in favor of univer
sal suffrage and sad he hoped ito
see the language of Washington, Lin.
coin and Harding become the para
mount speech of the Porto Rico
schools" Governor RELY a. so said he
woud strictly enforce the dry" law
OF Porto Rico. which was overwhelm.
ingly favored hy the voters In 1917.