Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-28
DOWN IN PORTO RICO
The Recent Election Was Very One
Sided Affair.
TIE FEDERALS ALL HELD ALOOF
Prospects Of the Island as a Winter
Resort.
SURF BATHING AND FLEAS
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Dec. TO- 1900.
Since my last letter the election has
taken place, and the republicans have
swept the island principally because the
federals refused to go to the polls. The
latter's action was that of a spoilt child.
They claimed that Partially was shown in
the matter of election judges, and sent out
a general notice to all federals not to vote.
This was very strange proceeding, when
1t is considered that they were the strong
est by good majority at the last cleo
ton.
There was one solitary vote for the fed
erals in San Juan. This man probably did
not know of the order from his chief. 1t
was farce to report the result Of the
elections. l was up to the plaza election
night, where a local American paper had
the returns thrown on a canvas Each
districts return of republicans, so many;
federals, none, was greeted by hurrahs and
groans.
There was an immense crowd, and the
night passed with no serious disturbances.
Occasionally there was a movement which
put every one on the alert, and it would
not have surprised any If a general
rumpus had broken out Fortunately the
climax was not reached
No Election Returns From Home.
We received no returns from home that
night, and we We're for several days in
doubt as to whether President Mckinley
was reelected or not. There were Bryan
men who offered to wager their man was
elected two days after election, with no
takers.
Business resumed its normal state the
day following election. and the people have
long since forgotten 1t.
Senior Degetan, the newly-elected dele
gate to Congress, has left for the scene of
his labors
The American regulars are leaving by
every transport In short time there will
be only artillery left. The balance of the
military force will be the native troops, Of
fcered by Americans. The latter have
been highly complimented by officers high
in command. and personally 1 am of the
opinion that they make fairly good SOL
diers, being easy to discipline. Their COM
pany officers, however, as a rule, do not
think very much Of them, as one officer
remarked to a group of regulars that he
could take five American regulars and
whip whole company of native soldiers, a
decidedly unmilitary but probably true
statement.
The Girls Left Behind.
There We're many weeping senoritas at
the transport docks to get last glimpse
of their soldier sweethearts. This was very
surprising, as the average soldier had a
very limited knowledge of the Spanish Ian
guage. A few who had married Porto
Ricans took their wives with them, and
the balance of the benedicts were trans
ferred to the organizations remaining on
the island. But they all feel that they
will be chasing the festive Aguinaldo in
far Luzon before many moons.
Education on the island has taken a great
c r. m ric
are schools everywhere, with the stars and
stripes flying overhead. English is taught
together with Spanish. and the youngsters
are rapidly mastering the difficulties of our
language They are very proud of their
advancement, and are always willing to
air their knowledge. The adults do not
take kindly to our language, however, as
the majority of Them after feeble at
tempt, abandon 1t in despair as an i'm
possibility. Pronunciation is the main diff
fculty
Not Religious People.
The Porto Ricans are not religious peo-
pie by any means. There are very few
churches, and those are, of course, Of the
Catholic faith. The bishop Is an American
with modern and liberal Ideas.
The Protestants Of every denomination
are establishing churches all over the is
land The Presbyterians are the most
vigorous at present, having two churches
in San Juan alone. The Y. NJ. c. A. has
coy and comfortable quarters here, which
are greatly appreciated by the American
colony. This branch was established for
the soldiers mainly through the efforts and
generosity of Miss Helen Gould.
The Spanish institutions of learning do
not impress one very favorably There is
an industrial school at Santurce wherein
are grown up boys who have spent their
lives within its walls. and who cannot TO-
day read or write An industrial and model
school built by the American government
was set fire to and burned to the ground
by some fiends who have not been appre-
hended.
Porto Rico is no doubt destined to be a
favorite winter resort for the large popu-
lation who yearly turn southwark to escape
the winter A representative Of a wealthy
hotel company has been here for some time
perfecting arrangements and has given
out that a magnificent hotel will soon be
under way.
Some of the Winter Attractions.
There are miles Of lovely beaches in this
vicinity admirably suited for surf bathing.
The only drawback apparent is a small,
almost invisible black flea. If one Of these
abominable pests obtains foothold on
ones person, it makes existence thoroughly
miserable. Scratching and pounding one
self black and blue where the flea Is sup
posed to be brings no relief. 1t remains
inactive for a few minutes after a bonn
bardment, and just when congratuating
oneself on Its deceaSe, active operations or
the enemy are begun again in a remote
section of ones anatomy. Now nearly in
the maniac class, the victim dashes to his
private apartments and tears off all cloth
ing and begins a hurried search with blood
in his eye. If the search proves successful.
he will find black object about the size
of pinhead blithesomely skipping about.
Its actions are similar to the butterfly,
but the victim does not treat 1t as such.
With such lovely bathing at their doors,
cannot understand why the people do not
take advantage of it, as the houses
tain no facilities for bathing except in
those of the better class. The latter, with
very few exceptions are the only persons
who patronize the surf. The ladies ard
children, with their servants, are in the
surf by 4 o'clock in the morning, when
there are no prying eyes, and home in bed
for their beauty sleep before the city
awakes.
ComparfsOn With the FilipinOs.
In the matter Of personal cleanliness I
could not help continually comparing in my
mind these people with the Filipinos, with
whom 1 spent many months. The latter
take at least one bath weekly, and their ap-
parel is generally white and clean. They
battle in all manner Of ways and places.
and it is a common sight, or was, in the
both ;,,l,,