Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-07
PORTO RICO HOPEFUL
The Situation There Is Very
Encouraging and Educa-
ton Is Advancing
POLITICAL STATUS SATISFACTORY

| Well Defined, Internal Improvement!
| Are Advancing and There Is no Debt
| the Treasury Containing a S500,00t
SurpIus-Attorney Generals Report
Chicago April 7.-William Z. Curtis
in a Washington special to the Record
Herald says: James S. Harlan, attor-
ney general Of Porto Rico, is visiting
his father. Justice Harlan of the SUI
preme court, in this city, having ten
dered his resignation to President
Roosevelt before the latter started on
his western tour.
From practical standpoint" said
Mr.. Harlan, In replyto a question, 1.-The
political status of Porto Rico is very
satisfactory. Our relations with the
United States are so explained under
the Foraker act that we have every
advantage that an organized territory
could enjoy under the constitution, and
in addition have fiscal independence
that is very important. If they remain
undisturhed for the next generation the
people of Porto Rico will be enabled to
work out magnificent results in the
way of internal improvements, agri-
cultural developments, educational and
social progress and moral and material
progress and moral and material pro-
gress generally. The local legislature
has more authority than is intrusted
to the legislatures of any other of our
states in making laws and doing what
ever is necessary for the most complete
satisfaction Of the people and the de-
velopment of the resources of the is
land. We have no constitutional re-
strictions of any kind.
The internal revenue and customs
receipts under the Foraker act stay
with us instead of being turned into the
federal treasury like those collected in
the states The island has the benefit
of every dollar of taxes collected from
the people, local as well as federal.
Federal revenues amount to nearly
$1,S00.000 n year and the total income
OF the insular government is about
$2.30o.000, which is available at all
times and for all purposes.
There is no debt. On the contrary
We have a 100000 surplus in our
treasury over and above our liabilities,
which is a unique situation in the his
tory OF government And what is still
more extraordinary. the expenses of the
government of Porto Rico are annually
less than its receipts, so that like some
other wise and prosperous business in
situations our surplus is increasing
every year.
The native leaders In the legisla-
ture and in politics generally are inn
pressed with the advantages of this sit
uation and the Importance of avoiding
debt and living within their income.
During the session of the legislature
just closed the native members acted
with q restraining influence upon the
American members and reduced the
of appropriations made in the
regular bills in order that the surplus
might be increased. We appropriated
nearly 100000 for the construction of
new roads and maintenance of old ones.
We provided literally for the estab-
lishment of new schools and the extern
sion OF the system of free education,
In which the people take great inter-
est. We give % cents out of every
dollar collected by taxation in Porto
Rico for the education of the people.
There are now about 1900 schools; five
times as many as during Spanish rule;
and they are mostly taught by native
teachers trained in American methods,
by American professors at normal
institute.
English is taught in all the Porto
Rican schools, and 1t is taught ex-
in some of the high schools.
Both languages are spoken. Every ma
tive on the island is studying English
and every American is studying Span
Ish. The children and the young peo-
pie are eager to learn English, for 1t
gives them better opportunities to Sc
cure positions in business houses and
in the government service and enables
them TO command higher salaries. The
Of illiteracy is still very
large among the people, for during
Spanish times schools We're compar-
atively few, but it is confined almost
to the adults. The present
generation of children will all have an
opportunity to learn at least the rudi-
ments of an education, but the school
system is still inadequate in the rural
where it is being gradually
In the towns and cities the
for free education are
rs good as they are in the United
States. In the cities we can rent school
houses, but in the rural districts there
are no houses available and we have
% erect them and building is very ex-
oensive.'
How large is the American popula-
ion of Porto Rico?" inquired The
American population of Porto Rico is
now about 5000 and is increasing slow
y and in a substantial way" said Mr..
Harlan.
We have our share of adventures
md people who have failed elsewhere
out most of the Americans are the
BEST class of the population. This is
true of those who have
.ome recently and have brought capt.
al to invest in agricultural enterprises
md public works. Probably 100000 |
IT $7,000,O0O of American capital has
already been invested in Porto Rico
since our occupation, and it has gener-
lily paid good dividends. There have
been very few disappointments. We
lave not had our share of failures. 1t is
iifficult to find dead enterprise in
Porto Rico"
NEW POST FOR ARMSTRONG.