The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-27
PORTO RICO PROSPERING
GOVERNOR HUNT SAYS BUSINESS Is
RAPIDLY IMPROVING.
Health Conditions Are Better and the
Natives Are Seeking Education
at the Schools.

NEW YORK, July Ex-Governor William
II. Hunt arrived to-day from Porto Rico on
the steamer Coamo. Attorney General
James S. Harlan accompanied him. Cover
nor Hunt will join his family at Casonovia.
y. Y, and Mr.. Harlan will join his at Muir
ray Bay. in Canada Both will return to
Porto Rico in September.
Governor Hunt said in relation TO Porto
Rico: General Miles landed in Porto Rico
four years ago to-day. Great changes have
taken place and the island has much to
be thankful for since our flag was raised.
The close of the fiscal year showed better
business better health and better pros
poets than ever. The insular treasury bal
ance on July l was $4,000, against $4,000
in the year The total exports for last
year aggregated s12,Ss9 925, showing an in
crease in exports to foreign countries of
81 lilo per cent. over the previous and As Clio
per cent. increase of exports to the United
States. The increase is principally in sugar.
cigars and cigarettes and coffee We sent
500. 300 worth of straw hats alone to the
United States last year. American mer-
chants would do we'll to study Porto Rico
imports from Europe with a view to en-
larging home trade. Porto Rico bought over
$4,000 worth of Nova Scotia Goldfish last
year and over $4,000 worth of foreign
soaps. Spain sent us rice valued at more
than $4,000 and over 100000 of potatoes.
"This business should go to our own
markets and with larger development in the
island its future commerce must be kept
closer at home. The Porto Rican coffee
continues to go TO Europe, to Austria,
France, Spain. Italy and Germany. America
took only $4,000 worth last year, while
Europe took over 100000 worth. The
superiority OF the coffee is such that we
cannot understand the insignificant demand
for it in New York still ii is gradually
gaining favor and will soon be sold extern
siVely, hope.
Fruit growing is receiving more atten-
ton, and with a quicker transportation
will invite investment. improvement is
noticeable in all directions. The people
welcome schools. The insular government
cannot supply enough, being necessarily
limited to 100000 per annum for educa-
ton, but we are teaching nearly $4,000
children and expect TO open two industrial
schools in the fall. Adults want TO learn,
and in some instances children are teach
ing their parents. There was an extraor-
binary decrease in the number OF deaths
last year. 1900 fewer than in the year be-
fore. There is much less anaemia than
formerly. People look healthier, live bet
ter and take better care of themselves
All sanitation has improved
In relation to politics, the Governor said:
'They are content with their general po-
litical condition. This being election
year, politics will occupy much attention
as a new Legislature, mayors and other
officers are to be chosen. Two years ago
one party withdrew from the field, but
from the present outlook there will be a
contest next November. The vote will run
up to 100 coo. Civil government has now
been established over two years, during
which time there has been a wonderful
adaptablity to free conditions and thus
far no serious setback. New codes of law
are in effect: the island is now controlled
by Amc-'@an statutes. There ready
adjp~ L TO the change. however, and
reports of the operation of the new laws
are gratifying. The criminal code, mod
eled largely after the California penal laws.
is giving particular satisfaction
Porto Ricans are ambitious for closer
relations with the United States and de-
serve all encouragement. My residence of
over two years in the island, found them
generous, warm hearted, good people. They
are impressionable. but gentle and kind.
The result of the liberal government given
them is a steadily growing mutual respect
and liking between them and the citizens
of the mainland. l regard this in itself a
most desirable achievement of our occu-
pancy.
Governor Hunt intimated that before go
ing to Casanova he would communicate
the fact of his arrival here to President
Roosevelt al oyster Bay. and If the Presi-
| dent desires to see him he would delay his
! departure until he heard from Sycamore
/ Hill