The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-03
PORTO RICO PROSPECTING
CONDITIONS IN THE ISLAND RE-
VIEWED BY GOVERNOR HUNT.
Message to the observation-disclosures
Revenue Increased and More
Schools abIished.

SAN JUAN, Porto Rico. Jan. Gov
ernor Hunts message to the Legislature OF
Porto Rico was read at IL o'clock this morn
ing before a joint session of that body held
in the theater of San Juan. The building
was crowded. The message congratulated
the LEGISLATURE upon the fact that its work
in 1901 had been indicated as wise, con-
sentative and progressive and conducive to
the establishment of free trade between
Porto Rico and the United States seven
months before the existing tariff duties
provided for the cessation Of the collec-
ton of such duties.
In his message Governor Hunt says:
tranquility and contentment prevail in
Porto Rico, schools have multiplied, rail-
roads are being constructed, the
of the island has been developed and ex-
ports have increased, agriculture has be-
come more profitable, roads are being built
and debts are being paid. Tolerance of
opinion has become more common, former
antagonism being forgotten"
Governor Hunt S report SAID further tnat
$50 schools were open throughout the island,
934 teachers were employed in them, and
As, 600 pupils attended them. Thirty-two
schoolhouseS had been constructed, n 1y
Porto Rican students were being educated
III TIE Oulltu OldlCS. II llSuldl lCNClAuCS
had increased the available balance by
Sis, 900 over the balance of July, 1901, and
the total balance to-day, including tariff
rebates, etc, amounted to $1,000, 900.
Governor Hunt recommended the revision
of the municipal laws and the adoption of
modern city charters. He did not recon-
mend an increase in the insular tax, but
he advised an increase of from y TO / per
cent. in the tax on. municipalities The
Governor ecommende an increase in the
excuses upon beer, cosmetics and perfumes,
o~l n r0o1 fo~ IF n dollar n hnoA IIn I'd
vised the Improvement of San Juan harbor
and the early consideration of the new code
now being prepared by a committee. Con-
corning the case of Santiago lgleSiaS (the
representative of the American Federation
of Labor, who was sentenced here on Dec.
IL to three years and four months impris-
Onment on a charge of conspiracy, the
Governor referred to the antiquities of the
existing law. and said that the remedy
therefor was in the hands of the Legisla-
ture.
Porto Rico" said Governor Hunt, but il
is perfectly lawful to organize TO secure
better wages by peaceable measures. The
ambition to better ones condition is in
tensely American and where the purpose
of organization is merely to increase the
profits of labor or to dignity its worth,
through peaceful means, a law susceptible
to a construction forbidding the execution
of such a purpose is unworthy the Ameri-
can government and should be wiped out,
no matter how unworthy the particular in
dividual may De who initiates the organi-
cation. The law knows 10 distinction be-
tween individuals"
Governor Hunt urged the sending of a
memorial to the Congress inviting a con-
gressional committee to come to Porto Rico
to consider the matter of realty titles. He
suggested the re-enactment of an election
law, and asked for appropriations to send
Porto Rican exhibits to the Charleston and
St. Louis eXpositions.
In conclusion Governor Hunt said: 1--WE
are absolute free in our course, but we can
not escape responsibility for our course
when this is once chosen, or avoid respon-
sibility for our acts when once committed.
Let us go to work with zeal and a clear
purpose. looking courageously to the future,
demonstrating that love of country is to
be found here beneath the palm, and let
us so labor that the civil government Of
Porto Rico shall become an element of ma
tionn1 StrnrQth aud nride