To the appeal
of the War Department the people of the United States made prompt and
generous response. In addition to the private charity of our people,
the War Department has expended for the relief of the distressed
$392,342.63, which does not include the cost of transportation.
It is desirable that the government of the island under the law of
belligerent right, now maintained through the Executive Department,
should be superseded by an administration entirely civil in its nature.
For present purposes I recommend that Congress pass a law for the
organization of a temporary government, which shall provide for the
appointment by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate, of
a governor and such other officers as the general administration of the
island may require, and that for legislative purposes upon subjects of a
local nature not partaking of a Federal character a legislative council,
composed partly of Puerto Ricans and partly of citizens of the United
States, shall be nominated and appointed by the President, subject to
confirmation by the Senate, their acts to be subject to the approval
of the Congress or the President prior to going into effect.
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