The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-05-31
THE PORTO RicANs AID EoUcA
TON.


Early In April the American Mis-
sionary Association sent a deputation
70 Porto Rico to investigate the con-
dition Of missionary and educational
work thus lar established there by
Americans. and the opportunities for
its future development This deputa-
ton consisted Of the Rev. DR.. Beard,
senior secretary OF the association.
and the Rev. E. S. Tead. a member OF
the executive committee. That part
OF their report referring directly 10
the educational conditions says:
The education OF the people is re-
celying the careful consideration Of
the authorities Dr. Brumbaugh, the
commissioner OF education. is WORK
ing night and day on this pressing
problem. At present 10000 children
are in the public schools. but 300. 900
remain as yet unproyided for. There
are 500 teachers, about ninety II
whom are from the United States.
Both Spanish and English are taught
and the children are quick and eagar
10 learn. There is no high. normal.
industrial school or college in the
island. though Fajardo has raised $780,
600 for a normal school. Sixteen
school inspectors are in the saddle
visiting the different sections OF the
island. and their services are much
needed to keep the native teachers TO
their tasks. which, sometimes. they
are disposed TO shirk.
Religion is not allowed a place on
the curriculum for reasons which are
satisfactory TO the authorities There
is a widespread desire TO learn Eug-
fish and at Lares the clerks in the
stores meet Professor Scott in the
night school that he has opened to
study the language.
The Presbyterian mission under the
wise generalship OF Rev Dr. John NJ.
Green. the Methodist mission. led by
Rev. DR.. Drees; the Baptist and Epis-
copal missions. conducted respective
~ by Rev. Drs. Mccormick and Van
Buren,. are doing excellent service in
educational and eyangelistic lines.
Their Sunday and week day services
are crowded with curious and inter
ested listeners.
The Congregationalists. through the
American Association. have two ex-
Cellent schools at Santurce and Lares.
and are doing as thorough work in ed
ucatiou as is done by any schools on
the island There is distinct and en-
phatic call for a large central board
ing school OF the higher grade. with
normal and industrial departments.
and the Congregationalists with their
record Of college and university build
ing In the United States. seem to be
the denomination to lead In this new
field They are also conducting evan
gelistic work under Rev. Or. Edwards
In Fajardo and Humacao. cities in the
eastern part OF the island.
The outlook for industrial. educa
tionsl and religious Quickening is en-
couraging During the past two years
great advances have been made. The
people in spite OF the present dis
turhances. are eNpectant Of changes
for the better The hope OF that fair
land is in the children. BY then
ready assimilation OF American ideas
they constitute the ground work Of 8
new civil and moral order. Thai
such regeneration is TO come is th'
confident expectation Of those who
know Porto Rico best.
The hope OF Porto Rico is in tbs
children. say these Investigators
What is true OF Porto Rico is true
OF Hawaii and particularly so OF tbs
Porto Rieans in Hawaii. Reared il
shject poverty and ignorance fcl
many generations the hope of these
people is in their children. They
want their children educated. One o.
the chief inducements for them tC
come to Hawaii is the promise Of fires
schools for their children. And yet
a Honolulu newspaper that is known
as the official organ of the Territorial
administration opposes schools anC
public education for the Porto Ricar
children upon the ground that II Il
not good policy.