Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-06-10

tobacco are the staples. The value of
the exports, which is increasing con-
stantly, was more than $10,0O0,O00 in
1890. This is far in excess Of the value
of exports of any island about the
Caribbean except Cuba.
Puerto Rico's mineral wealth includes
rich deposits of gold, iron, copper, coal
and salt. Only the salt beds are worked.
Animal life is abundant and varied.
Huge herds Of excellent cattle swarm
over the lowland plains and in the more
temperate mountain districts the cele-
brated Puerto Rican horses are bred.
All things considered, no spot on the
globe is better equipped by nature to
support a happy and industrious popu-
lation.
The people themselves are superior
in blood and industry to those of any
island in the West Idies, Cuba not eX
cepted. Of population of 100000 in
1890 nearly 100000 were whites of I'M
mixed blood, and but $1,000 were
negroes or mulattoes. OF the mixed"
population quite 100000 are the Jebaros,
an uncommon people said to be of
Spanish stock, with drops of the native
Indian blood in them. They are small
farmers and laborers. The race is
fine one, showing the regular features
and small feet of the Europeans. The
Jebaros are revolntionists to man.
Nature has done more for Puerto Rico
than any little island could expect of
her; the people have the qualities of
an industrious and highly civilized race
and yet the Islands resources remain
mostly undeveloped, and of 100000 of
white and Jebarc inhabitants less than
100000 can read and write.
In the Spanish methods of govern
ment is to be found the reason for this
mental and material stagnation.
The Puerto Ricans have no voice in
their government, as it is directly con-
troEed by the Spanish cortes, in which
the re- resentatives of Puerto Rico WELD
no influence. There is no vestige Of
local self-government.
| The situation Is aggravated by the
tnwritten but nevertheless unbroken
rule that no native of the island shall
hold an official position. The ''Peninsu-
kafs1r AZ the Spaniards are called, oc-
6upH every judicial us well us military
hos& Their number, including the sol
h4srS, AtA somewhat under $4,000, and
k1moSa III OF them are supported from
khs PRODUCTS Of the native Puerto
MhAse alien of1ce-holders drain the
solony of Its public money. Their
Volunteering manners and high-handed
actions have brought upon them the
hatred OF natives. They come to the
province with the single object of max.
Ing money and their venality has cor,
rupted the public service to such an eN
tent that bribery is now necessary il
procuring decision in every court o.
Justice.
| The taxes, which are burdensome, are
raised by duties Oh exports as well a:
imports, and by series of petty per
sonal taxes such as none but spir
itless people would willingly stand
These include stamped paper, toll
on railroad passengers and freight, ant
even on the consumption of food.
The total revenue collected in yeal
from this little island is $3,o47,s75. O
this S3,297,255 goes directly for main
taining the standing army and navy
whose sole purpose is to keep in sub
lection the peopls who support them
Of the remaining $685. but small
share IS devoted opublic purposes tina
will benefit the people of the island, a
the largest portion goes to employees o
the public works, all of whom ar
Spaniards.
The regular military force in Puert
Rico, under the command of the car
tain general, numbers $500 men, in
cluding two batteries of artillery an
two squadrons of cavalry. They ar
we'll armed and disciplined, and wer
recruited in Spain. There is also
corps of 500 police and IA battalions Q
volunteers containing about 6,00o mer
The volunteers are not natives of tn
island. Since the last uprising, when
battalion of Puerto Ricans went over
the insurgents, the natives have nc
been called upon to serve.
The naval station consists of tw
small gunboats with rapid-fring gun
The Notifications of the island, Will
impotent before modern ironc!ad
serve as formidable obstacles to rev
:. luton. DANIEL cLEyERToN.
s A Suburban Reason.
Subbubs-Johnny, why did Diogen'