The times., 1899-07-29


Government-The Islands Future.
The snug little island of Porto Rico is
at present represented in Washington by
three gentlemen who have just arrived in
the city, and who voice the better interests
of the new addition to the United States.
The delegation is composed of DR.. Azel
Ames, DR.. Gustave Moret, and Senior Simon
Moret. DR.. Ames is a native of the United
States. while the other gentlemen are
members of one of the first families of
the island.
In an interview last night DR.. Ames
stated that Porto Rico has wonderful fu-
ture and is destined to become worthy
and wealthy addition to the States
and Territories of the Union. He stated
that the island ought to be granted terri
torial government, as the people are as
much enlightened as those of many of the
Territories With the abolition of the GUS
toms tariff and the present currency, he
claimed, Porto Rico would become power
under the American flag and the fairest
spot beneath the Stars and Stripes.
Dr. Ames was placed in charge OF the
work of vaccinating the people of the isl
and by General Henry in February ard the
task was complsted early IN July Dr
Moret was assigned TO care for large sec
ton and has won much praise by his ef1l-
cient work. Senor Simon Moret Is a large
cattle raiser and TO his kindness and will
ingness to aid the Americans is due In a
large measure the success of the task, he
having furnished the only available cattle
for the purpose of innoculstion-
4 vaccine farm was established at Goa
mo Springs by DR.. Arnes and here 1,2SS
cattle were innoculated and virus obtained
with which some $4,000 Inhabitants were
| vaccinated during the five months. and
nearly this number now carry certlfcates'
when / went TO Porto Rico, said DR..
Ames. Il was surprised at what l found.
| and when I left there TO return 10 tne
| United States had fallen in love with the
island. Here are about 100000 people who
have retained their individuality, and the
| bulk of whom are intelligent and indus
trious.
| after 400 years of the worst kind OF
| slavery under Spanish government they are
today remarkably independent and hishiy
commercial people. and are away ahead OF
the residents CT many OF the former Span
| ish colonies. The island is just the same
size as Connecticut and has about the
same population, SO that it is very thickly
settled, and as there are no large cities
where the people become congested the
land is not only fairly we'll cultivated, but
there are people everywhere.
Porto Rico wants but few things to
make it a wonderful country. The Gus
toms tariff must be abolished and educa-
tion and American capital and institutions
will do the rest. There is no need of the
tariff in Porto Rico. 1t is either part
of the United States or it is not. II it is
net then the tariff ought to remain. Then,
again, the present currency ought to be
changed. The American Government ought
TO retire the old Spanish mintage, which
is very troublesome, and give the island
the currency of the United States. There
are but S600O,O0O Of the Spanish coined
Porto Rican money in circulation, and it
ought to be retired.
I'VE want a complete census in Porto
Rico and want it as soon as possible. /
am going to see Director Merriam of the
Census Bureau tomorrow and hope some
way may be found by which the census
which should be begun in January before
the rainy season opens can be provided
! for.
THE climate of Porto Rico is wonderful
ly fine; much better, indeed, than that of
the District of Columbia. 1t is destined to
become the greatest orange producing
| country in the world. Even now it can
ship any amount of other fruits. Porto
Rico also needs commission of immigra-
tion, as it would be a good plan TO send,
under Government assistance, about 2OO.-
600 of the laborars of the island TO Cuba,
where they are needed and where there is
room for them.
THE people of Porto Rico want the ter
ritorlal form of government for time.
They are tired of their long military ad-
ministration. The present form is top
heavy and needlessly burdensome. General
Davis is a very good man and an able Gov
ernor. but there are too many heads be-
uSath him. Already the so-called cabinet
has shown of what rotten material 1t is con-
structad. Many heads have been changed,
the latest being Senior Diaz, the Secretary
of Justice. who has recently been removed.
The people are tired of the relics of the
Spanish regime. They want local munich
pal government, and they are well able to
this extent TO govern themselves. There is
no disturbance in Porto Rico. All Is quiet
and orderly. General Henry stated that he
couI govern the island with 800 soldiers.
as there are no outbreaks nor rows.
What the people need badly are public
schools They clamor for education and
will learn readily and rapidly. If this
Government would withdraw about regi-
ment of soldiers and send instead a thou
sand school teachers the natives would be
a credit to America within ten years. In
place Of hostility TO the Americans the ma
tives would want nothing better than the
present Government if they were only
given a chance, as they are ambitious and
willing TO work"
Dr. Ames is q native Of Boston, but in
tends to return to Porto Rico. DR.. Moret
and his brother, Senior Sinor Moret, are
fine specimens OF manhood and would at
tract attention anywhere. They are scions
CT the stock which made the island a fertile
paradise and boast that an ancestor fought
under General Jackson at the battle of New
Orleans They will remain in the city for
several days. They are at the Riggs House