Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-11-28

DR.. Martin l.. BruinDiuS"' ~ '"S
mast Is months commissioner of educa-
ton in Porto Rico. is at his nome IN
Philadelphia for IA short VISIT ana
brings the most cheerful reports Oh
the nrocress of educational work on
the island and also Of its general con-
iitiors. He believes that within IA
decade the schools of Port" Rico VIII
completely transform and thoroughly
Amcricanize the island He is very en-
thusiastic over the immense resources
If our new colony. which he says can
rot be equaned elsewhere in the
" arid. He said that money is pouring
into the island. that the people are
l.,nnv and patriotically devoted to the
ritad States government and Ameri-
can institutions. They are looking
forward to securing territorial rights.
and hope that Porto Rico VIII ulti-
natelv he admitted into tulI state
hood.
The work accomplished by the COM
mission. OF which DR.. BrumbauSh is
th, head. is most wonderful. = COM
pletA change in the educational system
of The island having been brought
about The draft OF the new school
la.ws submitted by the commissioner,
were. adopted without change. though
,at-al,,ti,Di.a1 M, ,Inf ,.lllI:-
tional system DR.. BrumbauSh. in
| report which hc will submit to PreSi-
dent Roosevelt. says that when civil
government VAS established. ther"
were only 6la schools reported open
duling some part of the year Under
tie regime of the United States COM
mission Il term of nine months has
been maintained Throughout the island
ana during the entire first school year
tendance Of $4,000 pupils. The second
:, hool year began September 80, 1901.
There now are vs. schools ana jo.op0
pupils Everywhere there is a demand
foI more schools.
For lSao-NU the military government
allotted 100000 for education. or this
sum over $50. 600 was uneXpcnded be-
cause the proposed number cf schools
was not opened. For l9o0-0l the civil
government gave DR.. Brumbau2h $500.
0o'. all Of which was used judiciouSly.
For the present fiscal year SOL 600 is
this sum $50 000 has been allotted tn
the commission to erect public school
buildings. one Year ago there WAS not
one school building in Port" Rico.
Porto Rico now has thirty-siX build
irgS completed and in use. AMI twelve
III process Of erection
The inSular normal school. at
cost Of $4,000. l., being erected At Rio
Pi5tiros. The corner stone was laid
November . with imposing ceremonies
and in TIL" presence Of 2o"d persons.
The school is temporarily located in the
summer palace OF the governor, watch
Governor Hunt gave for educational
purposes He has at ali times taken
the g"edtest interest in the school
work. 4 summer normal institute vas
held in san Juan for ten weeks be-
ginning July T. This institute was
remarkable success. more than sou
pupils including more than >0 per cent
OF all teachers of the island attended.
They dill good. honest work ana 1T til"
al ,st. 49, received certificates to teach
In every school English il now
taught. The inhabitants want more
teachers Of English and more schools
All pupils sing the American national
hymns and upon all fitting occasions
to- schools have shown enthusiastic
patriotic devotion. notably on Wash
inston'S Birthday. Flag Day ana
fourth Of July. Fully %. 900 children
and as many citizens assembled on
thes" occasions in splendid tribute t.
.>tI!"! iCth INSTITUTIONS. y new SCnoOI
law. passed by the insular legislature.
became operative April. II. 1901 I'm
del its provisions the schools W.T.,
thoroughly reorganized and are in en-
CeiIent condition About 10 teachers
from tn" United States at present hold
positions III Porto Rican schools. Under
the new law the spirit of local control
mas been maintained az long as II is
prudent and the people everywhere are
IN sympathy with the schools.
The Canal Will Soon be Built.