St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-07-02
ADVANCE IN PORTO RICO.
Governor Hunt Tells Something Of
the Prog1 sss Of the Last
Four Years.

Gov. William H. Hunt of Porto Rico,
who has been appointed to a United
States circuit judgeship, was lately In
New York and Washington on official
business, according to the New York
Tribune. Gov. Hunt said: my family
is still in Porto Rico, and after more
than four years Of residence on the is
land l should naturally desire to return
to say a formal farewell to those with
whom l have been SO intimately ldentl1
fed in the formative and constructive
period in the history of the present gov
eminent. Besides, there are many mat
tiers of Importance that require my at
tention before surrenoering the relns
of official control to my successor.
Being asked for some general observa-
lions as to what had been accomplished
in the line of material development and
official achievement, Gov. Hunt said:
ut is only the truth to say that foui
years of civil government is a record OF
wonderful change in the island, and a
change for the better. The people have
advanced in their knowledge of how to
conduct public affairs; their municipal
governments are far more efficient than
formerly; their understanding of prop
er administration by way of systematic
accounting and strict responsibility in
public expenditures is improved. They
now have a complete system of Ameri.
can codes, political, civil and penal, all
of which operate very we'll and to which
they adapt themselves with gratifying
facility.
I'm 1900 the balance of trade was near.
ly 100000 against the island, while
now it is about 81 100000 in our favor.
We have $400, 900 surplus of current rev.
enues in the treasury, and a limit OF
property taxation of one-half of one per
cent for insular purposes and the same
for municipal uses. The revenue laws
of the island are working most -satisfac-
torily.
'"The road building has developed new
interior sections and reduced the cost
of transportation of produce. The death
rate has decreased under the better SAM
tation, and modern plumbing and drain
ing are being established.
''The system of public schools is very
dear to the people, and we have an en-
rollment of over 10000, as against $4,000
under the Spanish dominion.
Cali laws of the island are made by the
legislative assembly, the lower branch
of which is elective and directly popular
In it's representation. The peace Of the
community is maintained by 600 insular
police, every one Of whom, except two
officials, is native of the island.
In the several departments OF the
government native Porto Ricans fill re-
sponsible positions with honesty and
credit. They direct health charities and
correctional affairs, are telegraph opera
tors, engineers, clerks and disbursing
officers. The majority OF the judges OF
the courts are Porto Ricans, where for
merly they we're Spaniards.
"Our policy has been to put the ma
tives into places wherever we felt we
could, having in view the purpose OF es-
tablishing American institutions with
due consideration for the am bilious hab-
it's and capacity of the people.
"The government of the island is now
thoroughly American in form, with
every sign of commercial and political
progress. My own work was to do what
could in helping to build up civil gov
eminent. This was we'll commended by
Gov. Allen as chief executive, and then
it fell to me to go on with it. feel that
may now with propriety retire, but
shall keep up the greatest interest in
Porto Rican affairs. My plan is person
ally to turn over the governorship tc
Judge Winthrop, my successor, and
leave there permanently in July"