The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-03
MESSAGE TO PORTO RICANs.
Read by Governor Hunt nt Joint ses-
 sion of the Legislature.

San Juan, Porto Rico. Jan. 2-Gov- ernor Hunts message to the legislature l of Porto Rico was read at Il o'clock 1 this morning before a joint session of | that body held in the theater of San
 Juan. The building was crowded. The message congra tuated the legislature upon the fact that it's work in 1901 had been vndicated as wise, conservative and progressive, and leading to the es- | tablishment of free trade between Porto i Rico and the United States seven l months before the existing tariff duties provided for the cessation of the col lection of such duties In his message Governor Hunt says:
 Tranquility and contentment prevail in Porto Rico; schools have multiplied,
 railroads are being constructed, the
 commerce of the island has been de- veloped and exports have increased,
 agriculture has become more profitable,
 roads are being built and debts are be- ing paid. Tolerance of opinion has be-
 come more common, former antagon-
 ism being forgotten
 Governor Hunts report further said
 that SS5 schools were open through the
 island where 934 teachers were employ
 ed and which were attended by 45,000
 pupils Thirty-two school houses had
 been constructed and 129 Porto Rican
 students were being educated in the
 United States. The insular revenues
 had increased the available balance by
 SIPS 000 over the balance of July, 1901,
 and that the total balance to-day, in cluding tariff rebates, etc, amounted to
 $5. 00o, ,0O0
 Governor Hunt recommended the re- vision of the municipal laws and the adoption of modern city charters. He did not recommend an increase in the insular tax but he advised an increase from one half to one per cent. in the tax on municipalities. The governor recommended an increase in the excises upon beer, cosmetics and perfumes and a road tax of dollar a head. He ad- vised the improvement of San Juan harbor and the early consideration of the new code which is now being pre- pared by commission.
 Concerning the case of Santiago Igiesias (the representative of the American Federation of Labor who was sentenced here December Il to three years and four months imprisonment on charge of conspiracy), the gover- nor referred to the antiquities of the existing laws and said the remedy therefor was in the hands of the legis- la ture. "There is no room for lawless- ness in Porto Rico" said Governor Hunt, "but it is perfectly lawful to or ganize to secure better wages by peace l. lo J,it IA bot ones condition is intensely American and where the purpose of organization is merely to increase the profits of la bor or to dignify it's worth, through 1 peaceful means, a law susceptible to a | forbiddirg the execution of such a purpose is unworthy the American government and should be wiped out no matter how unworthy the | particular individual may be who in- itiates the organization. The law | knows no distinction between indvidu- als"
 Governor Hunt urged sending a me | morial to the congress inviting con- | gressional committee to come to Porto titles. He suggested the re-enactment | oL all eiectloH ldN' anu d9heu LOT dppfo- priations to send Porto Rican exhibits to the Charleston and St. Louis exposi- tions.
 In conclusion Governor Hunt said: | 'We are absolutely free in our course ! but we cannot escape responsibility for our course when this is once chosen, ,r avoid responsibility for our acts when once committed. Let us go to work with zeal and clear purpose, looking courageously to the future, that love of country is Q be found here beneath the palm, and ct us so labor that the civil govern nent of Porto Rico shall become an clement of national strength and pride"