Foraker Act (1900): Named for sponsor Joseph Benson Foraker and also known as the Organic Act of 1900, this piece of legislation allowed for the establishment of a governing structure for Puerto Rico which had been recently ceded to the United States from Spain. The structure was very basic in that it only offered a bicameral house, the lower of which was elected popularly and the upper appointed by the US, and an American-appointed governor. In addition to this structure, all US federal laws were to be in effect on the island. This act was met with opposition amongst the Puerto Rican people and even talk of independence began to spread. However, as Puerto Rico is still very much occupied by the United States, that did not work too well now did it? The first appointed governor, Charles H. Allen, was inaugurated May of 1900.

Erica S.

Source: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h827.html