The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-13
NEEDS OF PORTO RICO
VIEWS AND OBSERVATIONS OF FA-
THEIR THOMAS e. SHERMAN.
Religion Is Dead, He Says, Churches
and Schools Being Poorly Attended
-COncubinage Common.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-Assistant secre-
tary Mekeljohn made public to- day, through
the division of customs and insular affairs,
Father Thomas E. Shermans very interest
ing and instructive report to General Brooke
Of his recent trip through the Island of Por-
to Rico. Father Sherman left San Juan
Oct. 10 and visited Arecibo, Utado and
Lares, and from thence proceeded south to
Adjuntas alone and unarmed and without
witnessing any disorder. Subsequently
Father Sherman visited Coamo, Aibonito,
Cayey, Caguas, Aguas. Buenas, Juncos and
Humacao. All of these towns he found in
perfect peace and full of a sense of security.
Late in December Father Sherman says he
visited the towns of Vieques. Fajardo and
Carolina with the same result. AS far as
his observations went, Father Sherman says
that he found the people of Porto Rico gem
tie docile and kindly, and that the Span
iards living there rejoice with their Porto
Rican friends in the change of sovereignty.
The disorderly element is a very small frac-
ton in the teeming population of the island.
There is some timidity expressed on the part
of the property holders, but this is largely
due to the paternal system to which they
have become accustomed. He says that a
liberal public outlay on the roads would add
immensely to the commerce and security
of the island.
Father Sherman says it is common talk
that the disorders of the past few months
have been caused by bands composed part
ly of prisoners released by the Spaniards
and of Spanish soldiers discharged and re-
manning on the island. Having he says,
ridden about the island alone and, as a rule,
unarmed, for the past three months; having
nj 11n and
nent merchants, he is strongly impressed by
the fact that profound respect is felt for
American authority and utmost confidence
in the courage of any and all of our men.
At the same time, Father Sherman says, he
cannot too strongly emphasize the needs OF
an island at once tropical ana mountain
Gus. where the bandit finds myriad hooks
for hiding and assistance, even on the noun
tain top, where passions are easily heated
and an Overcrowded population leaves large
numbers out of emplOyment-an island
whose needs can only be met by the strong
hand of the military arm, aided and abetted
by system OF civil police and rural GUARDS,
composed where possible, of some or the
better class of Porto Ricans, and in holding
all civil authorities. beginning with commits
sarieS of the barriOs. personally response
BILE for the good order of their districts.
All commanders, even of the smallest de-
tachments. should be well advised of all
this and should help to emphasize the re-
sponSibility of the cOmmissarleS. rms being
done. il would seem that Porto Rico can
be easily governed ana VIII prove 10 De IN
many senses a Veritable paradise. The tele-
phone can easily be used in districts where
danger exists 10 give prompt warning to
the authorities
Father sherman says that the state of re-
ligion on the island is very unsatisfactory.
Though in every town of any size there is
found a large and handsome edifice, the
services are very poorly attended. All the
inhabitants of the island. with few excep-
tions, are nominaly at least Roman Cath
olics Very few of the men are more than
Catholic in name. They are baptized, mar
ried and buried by the priest. that IS the
extent of their Catholicism. Now that the
priests are deprived of governmental aid,
many are leaving the country and more in
tend TO depart before the winter is over.
A moderate percentage of the clergy are Of
native origin and these will be more in
clined TO stay. they are more in sympa-
thy with the new order of things and have
a chance of procuring more desirable par
ishes owing 10 the vacancies left by the de-
parture of the Spanish clergy The church
in Porto Rico has been 50 united with the
state and so identified with it i'm the eyes
of the people that IL must share the odium
with which the Spanish rule Is commonly
regarded. Complaint Is made that the priests
were too much interested in political mat
tiers: that they preached Spain instead of
gospel and that many displayed the mer-
cenary spirit There are many excellent
priests in Porto Rico, and the women and
children are, in great part. practically
Catholic.
When the congregations have become ac
custOmed TO sustain their priests the Catho-
lie religion will flourish much more IN Porto