Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-19
HERCULEAN TASK
GOV. WINTHRoP's OUTLOOK IN
GOVERNMENT OF PORTO RICO.
New Administrator Of tho Islands Al
fairs Has Ideas of His Own and
Courage to Enforce Them.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Courage to Enforce Them.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
SAN JUAN, P R., July b. 1904.
Unless he grows tired of the game Gov
ernor Beekman Winthrop Of Porto Rico
may be looked upon as one of the rising
young men in politics. During MS nrst
week as chief executive Of Porto RICO ne
has created generally favorable impress
sion, especially in social way. ana MS
stately young bride Of less than year Is
equally well liked. He has also given indi-
cations that officially he will be "nobodys
tow-headed boy" and that the local poll
ticians will not control him. OF course ne
is inviting all sorts of trouble by adopting
independent methods but if he can main
tain such an attitude he will be winner
with every one but the practical politicians.
Governor Winthrop was born in New YORK
city, and was there prepared for college.
He was graduated from Harvard IN lo9!
with the degree Of "A. B., and from Harvard
law school In 1900 with the degree or LII:
B. In 1899 he was admitted to the bar or
New York In November 1900 he was ap-
pointed private secretary to Governor Iatt
of the Philippines in which capacity he
served until July, 1901, when he was made
assistant executive secretary of the Philip
pine Islands He held that office until Au-
guest 1903. and during his incumbency was
acting executive secretary of the Philip
pines from October. 1902, to April. 1903, and
from November, 1903, to May, 1904, when
he was made judge of the court of first In
stance. A few weeks later President Roose-
welt appointed him governor of Porto Rico,
and he was inaugurated on July 4. His
wife Miss Milsa Riggs Wood of New
York. who married Mr.. Winthrop on Oc-
tober I. 1903.
The inaugural ceremonies on July were
as elaborate as could be expected in Porto
Rico. The oath was administered in the
San Juan theater at 10 o'clock in the MORN
ing by Chief Justice Quinones of the in
sular supreme court. Gov. William H.
Hunt delivered a farewell address, and
Governor Winthrop spoke briefly. A fine pa
rade was then reviewed. In the afternoon
the new governor witnessed athletic and
aquatic sports. and at night there a
display of fireworks and an inaugural ball.
At the latter function Governor and Mrs.
Winthrop led the grand march. At noon
the next day Governor Hunt sailed for New
York for rest with his family at Gaze
novia before leaving for Montana to as
sumo his judicial duties.
Gov. Hunts Work.
Even the political enemies of Ex-Governor
Hunt concede that he has done heruculean
and lasting work during the formative pc
Rod of civil government in Porto Rico and
which has earned for him higher honors
His integrity of character. superior intel
lect and tireless energy have made deep
Impression. and Governor Winthrop simply
assumes charge of completely organized
governmental system. guided to success by
his predecessor. To live up to the Hunt
ideals will be no easy task for Governor
Winthrop unless he Is cordially supported
What was perhaps the best speech made
by Gov. Hunt in Porto Rico was delivered
by him before his fellow members of the
Union Club of San Juan at a farewell BAN
quet In his honor on the evening of July
nj
tried to sustain in Porto Rico he said:
The United States knowing the expert
ences or foreign countries, came to Porto
Rico, If am not entirely mistaken, deter
mined that there should be no permanent
colonial policy in the island Or to put it
palmer, the United States, as 1 understand
1t, has not started out to establish a gov
eminent in this island which shall be for
ever as 1t is or such as England. France or
Denmark maintain about us The idealism
Of American government is that wherever
the flag now flies in the Atlantic or the
Caribbean seas. or wheresoeyer 1t NAV
hereafter fly in the same waters, the people |
brought beneath it shall be encouraged to |
hope for such political and commercial re- |
lations with the main land that in due |
course of time their government shall con-
stitute part of the political integrity of |
the United States of America. Proceeding |
upon this as a correct principle, l have |
never let my mind drift from the PROPOSE |
ton that in building up a government in |
Porto Rico our duty was to develop a civil |
liza ton which would effect that benevolent |
assimilation which Mckinley proclaimed as |
essential and that it should be made SO
perfect in due course of time that every !
man born in the island of Porto Rico shall |
be citizen of the United States.
The history of colonization, therefore, is |
material, to be considered by those engaged
in the work of government here because of
it's relationship to the conditions which were
presented when the United States acquired
the island and in considering how best to
so change these conditions so as to hold
them tremendously with the newer develop
ment which would reject the old theory of
the colony. and would conform to the new
policy Of a national American citizenship"
Belief in the Future.
Gov. Hunts last words were interlarded
with patriotic references and pleas for the
development of education, agriculture, pub
lie improvements and commerce In Porto
Rico and for the maintaining Of a high
standard Of personal and official integrity.
Upon the last he has always been insistent
and set the example by his exemplary life
public and private. In conclusion he sad:
Il believe in the future. My faith is abid-
ing and judging by the past and the pres
ent the outcome seems to me to be certain.
Here will be reared Virile. robust young
American citizens, and here will be erected
a great state by American character, en-
ergy. thrift and enterprise. These pretty
black-eyed children shall be American citl-
Zens living to have fulfilled what seemed
but the dreams of 1860. This shall be the
work Of men. To my lot. 1t fell to help
lay the foundations. And in the fufillment
of my prophecy L may quote the words Of
Aristides who said Neither walls, thea
tiers. porches nor senseless equipage make
states: but men. who are able to rely upon
themselves.
If Gov. Winthrop does as well as Gov
Hunt he will do well indeed. 1t is already
rumored that his tenure of office will not
exceed two years. If 1t reaches that. as the
President has slated him. In event of Mr. !
ROOsevelts success, for high foreign mis-
sion. He is reputed to be several times a
millionaire and able to accept such a post
RETIRED PASTOR sWINDLED.