The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-22

(Copyrish, 1890. by Associated Press)
SAN JUAN. Porto Rico, Feb. 2i.-Dr.
Carroll, the commissioner recently APP
pointed by the President to make a
report Of the conditions In Porto Rico
has just completed a tour OF the Island.
He has visited all the municipalities OF
any size and has held conferences VIA.
the leading citizens wherever he has
gone.
After bis return 10 San Juan, he said
to the Associated Press correspondent:
~ have found but little manufacturing
industry. Agriculture is not prosper
Gus. owing 10 the results of the late
war and the low prices now paid for
coffee and sugar, the chief product OF
the island. Spanish merchants who
heretofore controlled the trade in Por-
to Rico have drained the agricultural
classes By thei: usurious loans and ex-
actions. found one Spanish merchant
who was winding up his affairs pre-
rious to departing for Spain. who had
sixty executions out against the pro-
pertes OF planters.
"Under the law in force here, these,
properties may be sold out by sum-
mary proceedings within thirty days.
As the owners OF the lands are all In
Strengthened circumstances these splen-
did haclendas will go to the creators
for small proportion of their real
value.
Bad roads also reduce the profits to
planters and raise the prices OF neces-
saries OF life in the interior
1T is idle 10 talk of prosperity, good
schools and good government until the.
means OF transportation are provided.
With this advantage Porto Rico has q
brilliant prospect.
At the present time the municipal
governments are hampered by the
Spanish system. autonomy. snch as
General Henry is contemplating Is
greatly needed and when secured viii
give an Incentive to development.
have found the jails crowded and fear
fully unfit for their purpose. There are
many prisoners who have been Ian
gushing In these pest holes for months
on forgotten charges and for political
offences. Some OF the civil hospitals
are in shocking condition. The ad-
minlstration of justice is difficult. owing
20 faVorltism and politics. The difficult
ties in the way OF marriage are SO great
that many II not the majority OF the
people live In concubinage.
The planters have no associations
for improvement or study OF crop condi-
tons 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 bt-
his recent order delaying the foreclos-
ure of mortgages for the period OF 4
year. Without this Just order the
planters Of the country would soon
have become ruined. The new tariff is
cordially received by the merchants
and the business element and am sure
that it will give relief where relief is
needed. The new rate OF exchange Is
generally satisfactory. although trans
actions are still subject 20 some fluctu-
atoms, owing TO the refusal Of the
nnnkers and brokers 10 adapt their
transactions 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 understands their condition. The
people confidently look TO him for re-
lief and they have an entire confidence
in him. II he should not please the
politicians. nc Is regarded by the
masses as n just and consideratc ruler
He Is proceeding carefully but wisely.
His order abolishing the old insu-
lar cabinet. with its impractical meth
DDS. while not Il radical measure, is en-
tremcly important.
odd and willy politicians Of the
Spanish school have rendered some of
his efforts at good government nuCa-
tory. both In the iasular affairs and al
so 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 AM
crican methods he will be able TO ef-
fectually carry gu: his IDEAS and or
ders for the Improvement OF the island
and the amclloration Of the people"