Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-07

night schools as well day schools, and
says the island should be divided up into
small school districts, and that the English
language should be taught. He found the
same condition of education existing as
that l have described in a former letter
He visited school houses everywhere, but
nowhere found desks or any kind of
school conveniences. l do not think
proper representation has been given
as to the backward condition of edu-
cation in Porto Rico. The reports of the
bureau of education have been full of large
words conveying the idea that much more
than the reality has been accomplished.
The Porto Ricans themselves, of course.
are anxious to make as good a showing as
possible. They put their best foot forward
at all times, and when Secretary Alger was
here some time ago they had the school chill
dren of San Juan come out to meet him.
don't know that the Secretary knew it, but
the assembly included in fact all the school
children who could be scraped together
from all the schools, both public and pri-
vate, in San Juan and also the surround
ing towns.
Carpet BaEgcrs Not Wanted.
doubt WHISTLER Uncle Sam can do much
with the educated Porto Rican, especially
those who have been of the official class
The tax collectors and other political leech-
es who hare been fattening off of the peo-
pie for years cannot be taught to govern
honestly The keeping them in office, as
has been done in some cases, is only chang
Ing the name of the government and not its
character In time the people will be edu-
Gated up to our idea of a government, but
until then we should consider that we have
about 100000 ignorant and oppressed peo-
pie to care for, and that their interests are
above the 10000 or 10000 property owners
who have been nodded along lines contrary
to ours. The children of these people may
be educated so that they will become Amer
leans; it is doubtful whether the old will
ever be so. At the same time the men sent
down to take charge of the offices should
not be of the carpet-bag class. The more
important officials should be honest Amer
lean business men-not broken-down, out
cf-job politicians, and to them should be
given the charge of all money-producing
of1lces l know such policy would not be
popular in Porto Rico, but it will undoubt-
eddy tend to bring order out of the financial
chaos which has prevailed there for years
Among the most important things is the
reorganization of the courts and of the
laws. The laws should be adapted to those
OF the United States and the system of tus-
t1ce should be the same. English should
be the official language of the courts, and
a jury system should be established.
English AS the Porto Ricnns Teach II.
1 believe the Porto Ricans are anxious
to become good American citizens I think
many of the better classes are already so
In spirit. and If the tariff can be so ar
ranged as to give the island mercantile adj
vantages they will be more patriotic still
I saw American flags everywhere over the
island. They are hung up In many Of the
parlors and sitting rooms. and also in many
of the stores. The Porto Ricans are try
ing to learn the English language, and
every young man who has a smattering of
IT Is teaching his friends. Some of the
methods of teaching are peculiar books
having been published showing how the
language may be learned without a teach
er In thirty lessons. From one of these
comes the following. from which you may
see what the pronunciation of these future
lie school teachers do not correct It,
quote:
English Pronunciation. Spanish.
What is your Tat IL iua neim Como Sc llama
namet Ed?
flow old are you lou ould aa iu: One edad tiene
Vd?
What the price Tat IL re prais Cua es 81 precio
OF this? els? de esto?
1t is very dear. It IL veri dia. Es muy caro-
l VIII VII. give you FL MI Civ III Ell 70 Ia dare IN
dollar. dola. peso.
TIL a rs no t Eat IL matt inaf. No es bastante.
enough.
Speak slowly. Spik sloeli. Habla despacio.
fon speak TOO Iu splK IN fasf Fd habla muy
fast. ligere.
This is fine Zis liz eli fain Esta ess ma
house. haus. casa bOnto.
Points for Porto Rican Visitors.
Americans should visit Porto Rico. They
will find few discomforts and will see more
curious things in four weeks trip than
they can see in Europe in six months. The
steamers now take you from New York to
| San Juan in about five days. The distance
| is about 400 miles, and the sea, after you
pass cape HatteraS, Is remarkably smooth