The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-06-07
FEATURES OF PORTO RICO.
The Masonic Temple of YnucO and
the Families of ImpOr-
lance.

The Masonic temple at Yauco, Porto
Rico, which stands alongside the road
between the town and the railroad sta
ton, is the only structure ever built
by the order in all Spanish Amrieca.
Yauco is in the heart of the coffee belt,
20 miles from Ponce. The temple was
begun in 1890 and finished in 1895. The
ground plan is nearly square. 1t is
built of brick and masonry in Porto
Rico style, and has little to give it
distinction save the masonic emblems
to be seen over the main entrance. 1t
was never occupied as masonic meet
ing place prior to American occupa-
ton, however, because of the intense
prejudice against free masonry on the
part of the authorities. Indeed, in
Porto Rico, as elsewhere in the Span
ish West Indies, the masonic order had
pretty hard time to get along at all
before 1898. 1t was not only forbidden
the masons to build, but their meet
ings were virtually prescribed. In con-
sequence hardly lodge, either in Por-
to Rico or Cuba, had regular meeting
place or was able to meet at regular
intervals. In Havana lodge meetings
were held in obscure, often deserted,
buildings, but rarely twice consecu-
lively in the same place, and this was
the procedure also in some of the other
cities. In many cases, however, it was
found necessary to hold the sessions
outside the towns; not infrequently
the masons were obliged to find gath
ering places in the woods, and even
then they were metimes broken up,
so thoroughly anti-masonic were the
sentiments of those in power, says the
Washington Star.
The building of the Yauco temple
created much excitement in Porto
Rico, and there isn't the slightest
stroyed, either by order of the gov
eminent or at least with it's knowl-
edge and acquiescence, had it not been
for the efforts to preserve it put forth
| by the French and German consuls
stationed at Ponce. They repeatedly
" llC tllCCu
that the masons were in high favor
with their home governments, and
| that, while official federation of the
order would not be asked in the cir
cumstances, they felt that they must
protest against destruction of the
building. Several of the coffee plant
ers of foreign birth joined in the pro-
test and thus the building was pre-
served. Notwithstanding the diff
culties with which masonry was con-
fronted under the Spanish regime, a
pretty fair organization, including a
grand lodge, was kept up in both Por-
to Rica and Cuba. The order is now
reported to be in very fourishing con-
dition in both islands.
An interesting feature of life in Por-
to Rico is furnished by the civil guard.
1t was organized Immediately after
| the American occupation, and most of
| its members were drawn from the
ranks of those who had formerly been
in the service of Spain, in the volun-
teer force, in the insular police and in
| the army itself. Some of them were
of nearly pure negro blood, others were
of mixed descent, but some were pure
Spaniards and of peninsular nativity.
| For a long time after the transfer they
wore the same uniforms they had worn
inthe Spanish service, but United States
army hats were supplied to them at
the very first. They were organized
by Gen. Henry at the beginning of his
Porto Rican service, with headquar-
ters at San Juan, under general
chief, and subheadquarters at other
cities, each under a captain. Though
they were thoroughly loyal to Spain
while in the employ of its government
they have been loyal to the United
States since the occupation, and have
done excellent service in the main.
The richest young man in all Porto
Rico is Senior Para, of Ponce. He is
under 80, slender and unusually tall
for Porto Rican. Curiously enough
in personal appearance he resembles
John Jacob Astor not little Senior
Para, with his father, who is still liv-
ing, is interested in many business en-
| terprises in Ponce and elsewhere. This
bulk of the family investments, like
those of the Astors, is in city real es.
tate; in fact, they are understood to
be the most extensive landlords in
Ponce. Naturally, the Para family
which includes several daughters, is
prominent in Ponce society, and the
Para residence, a large and handsome
structure, is familiar to many Amer.
leans.
Like the sons of most wealthy Porto
Ricans, the younger Para was educated
largely in the United States, and has
spent much time in New York. Thus
he has acquired many American tastes
and might readily pass for citizen oil
this country, though he would doubt.
less be thought of foreign descent
He speaks English f1uently, with just
the slightest accent; he is democratic
in his friendships, and he is devoted to
manly sports, especially racing and
shooting. He is very fond of dogs
and he owns the best stocked kennels
on the island. He would be considered
"a well-dressed man in any American
city.
Senior Para and all his friends were