Evening star., 1902-04-18
A THREE YEARS. VIEW
Porto Rico Under American
Rule.
PROSPERITY RETURNING
OBSERVATIONS OF COMMISSION
Err ELLIOTT.
The Island Has Apparently Passed
Through Its Storm and
Stress Period.

w. H. Elliott, commissioner of the in
terror for Porto Rico, is at the Ebbitt. Mr..
Elliott has resided in Porto Rico since Feb
ruary, 1899, at which time he went there
as director general of posts and organized
the postal service for the island. He re-
manned in charge of the department of
posts until May 1, 1900. bringing it up to
a state of efficiency that earned for him
the respect and confidence of the people
and the approval of the Post Office De-
partment The department of posts went
out Of existence upon the establishment of
civil government, by operation Of the For
aker law, and Mr.. Elliott was appointed
commissioner of the interior, in which ca
pacity he is required to superintend all
works of public nature, which includes
the construction and maintenance of roads.
In both positions held by Mr.. Elliott it
was necessary for him to travel great
deal over the island. He has been in every
city and town in Porto Rico, except one
small mountain village.
TO Star reporter he described the island
as indeed a gem, the scenery presenting a
panorama of delightful surprises to the
traveller, and the climate as nearly perfect
as mortal man need hope for, balmy and
ipvigoratiug in winter, comparatively cool
and refreshing-strange to relate, but never
theleSs true-in summer
OF the natives Mr.. Elliott spoke in high
terms Of praise. To be fr I'd from the do
minion of Spain and become part and parcel
of the great republic has been the life
dream of every true Porto Rican, and now
that the opportunity for the full enjoyment
of liberty under the protecting folds of the
American flag is presented, they are enter
Ing into their changed relation with zeal
and enthusiasm. To get rid of obnoxious
and oppressive laws, to make such changes
in customs and habits of life may be
prompted by new associations, and to re-
l,1 ,i,ocr H~it Of
the island, constitute the sum and settled
purpose of all good citizens.
How well they are succeeding in the mat
ter of laws is grandly shown, according to
Commissioner Elliott, in the proceedings Of
the last legislature, just ended. New po-
litical, civil and criminal codes, criminal
procedure and numerous important general
acts, all founded on American jurispru-
dence, were enacted, practically Wiping out
the Spanish laws.
ITO be convinced of progress made on the
second proposition which chiefly involves
matters of sanitation and habits of living"
said Mr.. Elliott, 'one needs to have OBJ
served or known of the conditions three
years ago and to observe them now. The
change from general neglect, accumulated
filth and total lack of interest, to cleanli-
ness and pride In dress and surroundings,
all over the island is refreshingly appar-
ent.
Condition Three Years Ago.
"In connection with the third proposition
must be considered the condition of Porto
Rico when it passed from the dominion of
Spain and the tribulations through which
it has passed since, by no fault of the peo-
pie. When the island was ceded to the
United States. commerce, Industries and
agriculture were PROSTATE. The people
were not only poor, but they were without
hope and gaunt starvation stalked over the
land. Occupation and the establishment
Of military government were followed by a
period of waiting. The administration of
affairs was mild and just, yet capital held
aloof and no one felt justified in investing
money, none seemed willing to venture.
Then the most destructive hurricane in
the history of the island spread destruction,
desOlation and death everywhere The cry
OF anguish and despair from the stricken
people went around the world and was
most generously responded to.
THAT blight was yet upon the people
when the order to exchange the provincial
currency for United States money was en-
forced. With a rush 100000 pesos, every
one Of them, under existing conditions Of
trade, as good a dollar to the would-be
purchaser of commodities. were exchanged
for S3,60OOOO United States money, sub
stantially a loss of 2, 400, 600 pesos to the
poor people, for the merchants quickly
grasped the opportunity for gain by holding
their prices up to the same figures in the
new money as in the old. 1t was necessary
for the exchange to be made. and its wis
dom is not questioned under the conditions
now prevailing, but at the time it added
much to the weight of other calamities.
New Civil Government
MAY l. 1900. civil government was in
stalled. There were those so downcast and
disheartened that they looked for every
change to add horror to the situation, and
many good men wondered where and how
hard the blow would strike. But instead
of more trouble confidence came out of hid
ing; at first with faltering step, but by
and-by with firm and steady tread. Thanks
to the generosity of Congress for providing
the means, the construction of roads, the
one thing most urgently needed, was pushed
with vigor; the erection of school houses
was begun and schools We're organized all
over the island; every administrative off
cial, from the governor down, so directed
the affairs of his department as to invite
the confidence and good will of the people.
Presently capital began to show up in un-
expected places, and to plant and till and
build, not largely, but encouragingly Then
the legislature met. 1t must be conceded
that there was some apprehension, for
there had been a hot campaign, resulting in
all Of the members being of the same po-
litical faith. But the legislature enacted
only a few laws, just enough to give the
people a chance to accustom themselves to
the new order Of things during the ensu-
ing year; particularly new revenue law,
which changed the burden of taxation from
the backs Of the poor to the shoulders of
This law naturally excited much criticism,
but the discussion was healthy sign and
resulted in most positive approval by those
who were at first it's ,bitterest enemies in
the beginning.
Increasing Prosperity.
Confidence grew into firm establishment,
prosperity spread and is taking on volume
day by day. The sugar cane acreage
showed q substantial increase last year;
this year exceeds the last fully 25 per cent;
the planting this year insures large in
crease next year over this year. Two large
centrals have been erected. plans are COM
plete for several more. The tobacco crop
will largely exceed that of any recent pre-
vious year. and as against thousands of
cigars exported under Spanish rule mil
lions are now shipped to the United States
vel the demand exceeds the ability of the
manufacturers to meet. The coffee planta-
tions, which suffered most from the hur-
rivane, are being slowly rehabilitated. This
years crop was GO per cent of normal; the
planters are encouraged and are working