Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-04-30
PRAISES PORTO RICO.
James S. Harlan Says the Island is
Peaceful and Very Prosperous.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., April 20
James S. Harlan, attorney general of
Porto Rico. Is visiting his father. Jus.
tice Harlan of the Supreme court. in
this city, having rendered his reGigna.
ton to President Roosevelt before the
latter started on his western tour.
Il agreed to go to Porto Rico for
one year" he said. and | have been
there two years. | have had n most
interesting and valuable experience.
but feel that l should return to my
practice in Chicago and intend to do
so after n few months in Spain to per
feet my knowledge of the Spanish Ian
guage.
From a practical standpoint" con-
inued Mr. Harlan, in reply to ques-
ton, the political status of Porto
is now very satisfactory. Our rela.
tions with the United States are so
adjusted under the Foraker act that
we have every advantage that an or
ganized territory could enjoy under
the situation, and in addition have a
fiscal Independence that Is very i'm
portant If they remain undisturbed
for the next generation the people of
Porto Rico would be enabled to work
out magnificent results in the way of
internal improvements, agricultural
developments. educational and social
progress and moral and material pro-
gress generally The local legislature
has more authority than is entrusted
to the legislatures of any of our states
In making laws and doing whatever is
necessary for the most complete salts
faction of the people and the develop
ment of the resources of the island.
We have no constitutional restrictions
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 collect
ed in the states. The island has the
| benefit of every dollar of taxes col
lected from the people-local as well
as federal Federal revenues amount
to nearly $500 900 a year and the to,
tai income of the insular government
is about $4,000 which is available
at all times and for all purposes.
| There Is no debt, and on the con
trary, we have 100000 surplus In
| our treasury over and above all our
liabilities. which Is unique situation
in the history of government. | know
| of no other state or territory or gov
ernment of any kind that Is similarly
| situated At one time Kentucky had
100000 or 100000. but thai was ac
cidental. ! have never heard OF any
other case And what Is still more ex
traordinary. the expenses of the gov
ernment of Porto Rico are annually
less than its receipts, so that like
some other wise and prosperous bust
ness institutions, our surplus Is in
creasng every year.
The native leaders in the legisla
ture and in politics generally are i'm
pressed with the advantages OF this
situation and the importance of avoid
ing debt and living within their in
come. During the session of the legis
lature just closed the native member,
acted with a restraining influence
upon the American members and re
duced the amount of appropriations
| Ulaue III tle leBuldI Dllib III DIusI INA
the surplus might be increased. WI
appropriated nearly 100000 for thu
construction Of new roads and main
tanning old ones We provided liber
ally for the establishment of nev
schools and the extension OF the sys
TEN of free education, in which th'
people take a great interest. We giy'
25 cents out of every dollar collected
by taxation in Porto Rico for the edu
cation II the people. There are nov
about l.200 schools. FIVE times a
many as during Spanish rule. and the.
: are mostly taught by native teacher
trained In American methods, b,
American professors at a normal inst
tute.
English is taught in all the Port
Rlcan schools, and It Is taught exclu
sively In some OF the high schools
Both languages are spoken. Ever
native on the island Is studying Ell
glish and every American is studyin
. Spanish. The children and the youn
people are eager to learn English. 70
1t gives them better opportunities t
securepositions in business houses an