Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-08-03
LIFE IN PORTO RICO.
Customs on the Island-Why American
Invaders Were Cheered.


According to a Porto Rican now in New
York, the latest estimates OF the popula-
ton of the island put it at about 100000,
OF whom 10000 are peninSulares, or ma
tives of Spain, and from 1900 to 1900
foreigners, mostly Frenchmen, Italians,
Germans, Englishmen and Americans,
other nationalities being very little repre-
scented. The native population is COM
posed of two-thirds whites, descendants OF
Spaniards and people OF other European
countries, and one-third negroes and mu-
lattoes, or people of mixed blood.
The mode of life is very similar to that
of the European countries except for
some slight differences due to the hot
climate. Fashions for men and women
alike are introduced from Spain, and
pecially from Paris and London. The
well-to-do in the principal towns dress
| just like people in European countries,
men wearing wooden clothes all the year
round.
The young women dress very elabor
steiy and all wear hats, the Spanish man
lila being worn only by elderly women.
In the small towns men dress after the
fashion of the cities, but wear linen
fabrics, rs wooden clothes are very I'M
comfortable, are considered a luxury, and
are worn on holy days and Sundays only.
Laborers and farm hands do not wear
coats or shoes. They do not care to do
so, and, if they did. they could not AZ
ford to, as their wages are very small.
Life at San Juan and the other principal
towns Is very monotonous, the only
amusements being retreta, or concert by
the military bands twice week, and
theatrical performances three or four
evenings week, matinees being given
very seldom. The theatres are owned
by the cities and rented to European
con psnies travelling through the island
at SO much an evening.
The principal towns on the island are
San Juan, the capital on the north coast
with $3.50 inhabitants; Ponce, on the
south coast, with 1850 inha bitants;
Mayaguez, on the west coast, %, 500 in
hahitants; Aguadilla, on the same coast,
but more to. the north, with 1900;
Arecibo, on the north coast, with $500
inhabitants; Humacao, Arroyo and Fa-
jardo, all seaports. Other important in
land towns are san German, lauco and |
Guayama.
Interpolation OF San Juan is that OF
the town and its suburb BIS but that OF the |
other towns named includes all the in
habitants OF the districts, that is to say, |
the country around the town.
nected with the mainland by the San |
Antonio bridge, is quite beautiful city,
with straight but narrow streets and
many fine buildings. 1t has several pub
lie institutions and colleges several
churches and seven small parks, among
them the Plazueia de Santiago. with a
very good statue OF Columbus.
The city is lighted by gas supplied by
an English company and by electricity
supplied by a local corporation. There
are eleven newspapers OF all kinds, the
principal one being La CORES pondenciG,
a daily political paper with Il circulation
OF about 1000 copies, which is equal to
that OF the other papers combined.
There Is "a local telephone company, but
no water except that OF the cisterns. A
reservoir was projected and the plan WAS
approved by the government some fifty |
years age, but owing to the manans sys
tenn II has not been finished yet.
The history of the Spanish administra-
ton in the island is one OF cruelty and |
corruption. The Spaniards began by ex-
terminating the native Indian popula-
tion, which some historians place as large |
rs SOC 900, in less han century.
Every branch OF the administration of |
the island j. conducted under a svsten, az |
by,ha Snor;ardsa .taa,i,,l' -,