The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-04

II. p. POrter's Report on British Ad-
ministration of jamaican Affairs.

II. Il. POrter's Report on British Adj
ministratiOn of jamaican Affairs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3-Robert p Porter
the special commissioner of the Treasury
Department, has made a report to Secretary
Gage on the economic and business condi-
tons in the island of Jamaica and their ap-
plication to the island of Cuba I'm com
pairing British administration in Jamaica
with any possible operations of the United
States government in Cuba" says Mr. Por-
ter, 1.-The fact of the great difference in the
population must be considered. In Jamaica
not IeT 1900 of the 100000 population are
white In Cuba a majority of the people
are white. The census of 1887 showed l. O2, $50
white and 52S,797 colored. Half a century
Of British rule in Jamaica has improved
these people, nearly all of whom were slaves
when the work was begun. Cuba, under such
a government as England has given jamaica
in all reasonable probability would have
numbered at this time a population of from
four to tive millions, a greatly increased
commerce. diversified industries, magnifi-
cent main and parochial roads, an adequate
railway system and q degree of prospect
and civilization far in excess of that when
me United states officials found confront
ing them when they took possession of the
island. To be sure, England has not made
Anglo-Saxons Of these people, but it has
made peaceful, law-abiding and in the main
sef-respecting citizens of them The number
OF noldlngs IN the island is 92S79. of which
el'Szf are under ten acres each. In the last
ten Years the number of saVings-bank ac-
counts OF the amount of SO ana under mas
nearly doubled, and during the ten wears of
4Sol 10 1871 there was an increase of so
per cent. IN the number of persons able
10 read and write. The royal commission
appointed TO investigate and report uDOn
the agricultural. commercial and industrial
conditions III the West Indies came to The
conclusion that the depression in Jamaica
was the result of the island depending almost
entirely on single ndustry-that OF sugar
anu recommended system of peasant pro-
prletors, diversified Industries and better
means OF domestic and foreign communica-
uon.'
Mr. Porter says that. following cut these
suggestions or the royal commission, great
progress has been made in all directions
Last year one company alone shipped from
Jamaica five million punches Of bananas ia
New YORK, ana there are now over 10000
freshly planted orange trees on the island
which in a few years Will add to the pros
perity Of the country. With the American
1ruit market inaqequately supplied and the
Elnghsh market practically untouched. Mr..
Porter thinks that there is hope in Cuba
especially in Santiago province for diversi-
fed industries created by rapid transporta-
ton
In the financial administration of the ISL
and Of jamaica one of the principal items OF
expenditure is the maintenance of public
roads England has discovered that good
roads are not only important factors in
keeping order, but also the basis of in
dustrial development and prosperity Dur
ing the last fourteen years England has
expended for roads s., 321 .205, an average OF
nearly $4,000 a year. Mr.. Porter SAYS that
here may be found a good Illustration OF
Engiands policy in contrast with that of
on roads, and all of which are in a deplor-
able condition.