The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-22
THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.
commissioners CarrOIl's Observations
Henry's Work.

commissioners CaFrOIIS Observations
Henry's Work.
correspondence Of the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Feb. 11.-Dr.
Carroll, the commissioner recently ap-
pointed by the President to make a report
of the conditions in Porto Rico, has just
completed a tour of the island. He has Wis
lted all the municipalities of any size and
has held conferences with the leading citi-
zens wherever he has gone. After his return
to San Juan he said: Il have found but lit
tie manufacturing industry. Agriculture is
not prosperous owing to the results of the
late war and the low prices now paid for
coffee and sugar, the chief products of the
island. Spanish merchants who heretofore
controlled the trade in Porto Rico have
drained the agricultural classes by their
usurious loans and exaction. I found one
Spanish merchant who was winding up his
affairs previous to departing for Spain, who
had sixty executions out against the prop
critics of planters. Under the law in force
here, these properties may be sold out by
summary proceedings within thirty days.
AS the owners of the lands are all in strait
ened circumstances these splendid haciendas
will go to the creditors for a small proper
ton of the real value. Bad roads also reduce
- I-N[ cA0 clAoC IAAS "a ACC0
OF necessarfes of life in the interior 1t is
lole TO talk of prosperity, good schools and
good government until the means of trans
pcrtatIon are provided. With this advan-
tage Porto Rico has a brilliant prospect.
the present time the municipal gov
ernments are hampered by the old Spanish
system. Autonomy, such as General Henry
Is contemplating, is greatly needed and
when secured will give an incentive to de-
velopment. l have found the jails crowded
and f%earfully unfit for their purpose. There
are many prisoners who have been languish-
ing in these pest holes for months on for
gotten charges and for political offenses.
Some of the civil hospitals are in a shock
ing condition. The administration of justice
IS difficult, owing to favoritism and politics.
50 great that many, if not the majority of
the people, live in concubinage. The planters
nave no associations for Improvement or
study of crop conditions and are ignorant of
the best methods Of production.
Under the wise policy of General Henry
the conditions of the island are improving.
Relief has been given by his recent order
delaying the foreclosure of mortgages for
the period of a year. Without this just or
der the planters of the country would soon
nave become ruined. The new tariff is cor
daily received by the merchants and BUSH
ness element and l am sure that it will give
relief where relief is needed. The new rate
Of exchange is generally satisfactory, al
though transactions are still subject to some
fluctuations, owing to the refusal of the
bankers and brokers to adapt their trans
actions to the new rate. In my judgment
the ultimate retirement of the native money
and the substitution of that of the United
States is the thing desired and necessary
to the proper and safe transaction of bust
ness.
General Henry knows the people and UNI
derstands their condition. The people conf
IDENTIFY look TO him for relief and they nave
entire confidence in him. If he should not
please the politicians, he is regarded by the
masses as a Just and considerate ruler. He
is proceeding carefully but wisely. His order
aboliShing the old insuIar Cabinet, with it's
Impractical methods; while not a radical
measure, is extremely important. Old and
willy politicians of the Spanish school nave
rendered some Of his efforts at good gov
eminent nugatory, both in the insular af-
fairs and also in the municipalities. BY
placing the affairs of the civil government
in the hands of men who are subordinate to
him and in sympathy with his American
methods he will be able to eff~ectually carry
out his ideas and orders for the improve
ment of the island and the amelioration of
the people"