Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-27
SCHOOLS IN PORTO RICO
Gratifying Progress in Educating the
islanders
Director Eaton's Views on an Inter-
ers, school Houses and Books.

| Mr.. John Eaton, who was compelled 10
| resign his position as director Of educa-
| ton in Porto Rico on account OF I'll health
| has returned to Washington and is at his
| home at the Concord. In conversation with
a Star reporter about Porto Rican affairs
| Mr.. Eaton said:
Much interest is shown in the provision
| for schools in the island next year The
| success in the introduction of English Is
| Universally admitted. Still, II is to be con-
fessed, there are those who so cling to
the past that they uneasy as they con-
| template the result of every child's being
able 10 speak English. These obstruction
| lists are specially fearful of the incoming of
! American influences sure to follow a xnowl-
| edge of the English language. Others who
| would Americanize the island at once have
| lett that there has been TOO much delay
| IN preparing The educational provisions for
| reXt year, but l took time to study care
| lutiy and introduce changes in a way TO
| enable the people TO see and appreciate their
| importance My health gave way some
| two months since, and / was compelled to
| resign. In bidding farewell to the teachers
| or Porto Rico / told them that to have
good schools we must have good teachers
! When came l everywhere heard there Is
| 70 money-the cry began to come up that
| the municipalities cannot pay the salaries
| OF the teachers next year. Soon relief
| came in the assurance of Gen. Henry that
| the insular treasury could pay three hum
| dred and twenty-five thousand dollars
| fer education next year. 1t was de-
| cided that this should be divided equally
| for the benefit OF the whole island and
used mainly in the payment of teachers
| salaries This would so far support the
| teachers and keep the schools open for
| the benefit of the children. at the same
| time Ii was expected that the municipalities
would do the rest. and they are therefore
required to furnish homes for the teachers
and buildings for the schools. and meet
any further eXDenses necessary.
Il impressed upon the teachers the fact
| that public schools must be conducted in
| the interest of the public and not in the in
terest of any class. This does not interfere
with the rich providing out Of their own
means for the instruction of their children,
nor does II interfere with teachers who
choose TO establish other than public schools
for pay scholars; nor does it forbid the
teachers of public schools teaching for pay
in hours not occupied in the public school.
but it does proceed upon the principle that
in the public service there must be no dis
tirction between he rich and the Door and
that during the hours for which the teacher
is paid by the pubic he must devote himself
faithfully to the instruction of all the chill
dren under his care.
Engiisb-Speaking Supervisors.
"A way has been found not TO displace
native teachers, as so many prophesied
would be done. but to introduce supervisors
of English instruction who should train both
native teachers and pupils in the correct
pronunciation of English. The island,
therefore, is divided between sixteen super
visors, whose native language was English.
Before the year closes il is hoped 1900
pupils VIII have made 4 beginning in this
important acquisition. 1t should be remem-
bered that this expense has been met and
the small text books in English introduced
have not been change upon the municipal
tiles. but have been paid for out of the in
sIlar treasury. the like of which has never
been done before.
IL
schools from the kindergarten, class by
class, according to qualification, and from
the high school to the state normal and
academic school, and for the possibility OF
a university when youth are prepared for
that grade of instruction.
Instead Of a single institution of a higher
grade conducted mainly for the benefit of
the capital at the expense of the entire
island, it has been provided that each of
the municipalities may have a high school,
" hose teachers viii be paid from the in
sular treasury, where pupils will receive in
struction of q higher grade than Ii has
been possible to obtain on the island before,
thus benefting three or four times many
young psople as at present ana giving a
large number of aspiring teachers an OPP
portunity fer training in pedagogy.
Partisanship in Teaching.
"A few teachers neglect their duties to
engage in partisan politics. This is the
most serious difficulty in the way of the
teachers hold their positions by reason of
some political effort which they have pre-
vious,y made. Tie Croker theory of polit-
ical affairs has grown hoary here with the
centuries of Spanish control. The teachers
have not been able to resist this influence.
Everything of late has been done in the
administration of the schools 10 exclude
partisan strife. Gen. Davis condemned IL
al the start. The success of the school
provisions will depend upon the ability of
island n
required. careful estimate made <or the
payment of the services provided for in the
new regulations shows that il will require
$369.0o0, something more than the
amount that Gen. Henry saw available for
this purpose. A less sum. it is pointed out,
will let the schools fall behind what they
were Under Spanish rule which would
create great dissatisfaction in Porto Rico,
and am sure would never be approved by
the American public. II is, therefore, con-
identially expected that Gen. Davis, the
new commander will be able 10 adjust
the different expenditures required for the
coming year to the income At mis- command
that education will not suffer.
New school Houses.
THE great obstruction to educational i'm
provement is the lack of school houses.
There is not building On the island erect
ed for elementary school purposes. The
new regulations make special provision for
a method of erecting houses after the man
ner In the states.
1T has been reported in different instances
that municipalities now paying
much for rent as would pay the interest on
the bonds annually and also provide for a
sinking fund which would pay the face CT
the bonds. The alcalde and council of San
Juan have already moved In the matter and
appointed a committee with authority to
act. 1t is hoped this movement will be
successful, and that the action of the cap
ital city will be followed by that of other
municipalities
RIOTS IN SPANISH CITIES,