The Forrest City times., 1906-12-14


 Waxhington.-President Rooseyelt's message, describing conditions in Por. to Rico, and making recommendations Tor legislation he believes necessary vas read to the congress. It is as fol. lows:
 To the Senate and House of Represen.
 tatiyes:
 On November 21 visited the island ~ Porto Rico. landing at Ponce. cross. Ing by the old Spanish road by Cayey 70 San Juan. and returning next morn. Ing over the new American road from Arecibo to Ponce, the scenery was wonderfully beautiful, especially among the mountains of the interior, which constitute a veritable tropic Switzerland. I could not embark at Ban Juan because the harbor has not oocn dredged out and can not receive an American battleship. 1 do not think this fact creditable to us as a nation, and l earnestly hope that i'm mediate provision will be made for dredging San Juan harbor.
 l doubt whether our people as a whole realize the beauty and fertility of Porto Rico, and the progress that has been made under its admirable government We have just cause for pride in the character of our represen. satiyes who have administered the topic islands which came under our nag as a result of the war with Spain: and Of no one of them Is this more true than of Porto Rico. It would be impossible to wish more faithful. 2 more efficient and a more disinter ested public service than that now be Ing rendered in the island of Porto Rico by those in control of the insular government
 l stopped at a dozen towns all told aud one of the notable features in every town was the gathering of the school children. The work that has been done in Porto Rico for education has been noteworthy. The main em- phasis, as is eminently wise and prop CT. has been put upon primary educa- fion: but in addition to this there is a normal school. and agricultural school, three industrial and three high schools. Every effort is being made to secure not only the benefits of ele. mentary education to all the Porto Ricans of the next generation, but also as far as means will permit to fraia them so that the industrial. agri- cultural and commercial opportunities of the island can be utilized to the best possible advantage. It was eyi dent 2t glance that the teachers both Americans and native Porto Ricans. were devoted to their work. dook the greatest pride in it. and were endeayoring to train their pupils. not only in mind, but in what counts for far more than mind in citizenship. that is. in character.
 I was very much struck by the ex. ceiieut character both of the insular police and of the Porto Rican regi. meat. They are both of them bodies that reflect credit upon the American administration of the island. The in. saiar police are under the local Porto Rtcan government. The Porto Rican regiment of troops must be appro- priated for by the congress. I earn. estly hope that this body will be kept permanent. There should certainly be sroops in the islanl, and it is wise shat these troops should be themselves native Porto Ricans. + would be from every standpoint mistake not 50 perpetuate this regiment.
 In traversing ;Ee island even the sys
 holder struck With the evident rapid growth in the culture both Of the su. gar cane and tobacco The fruit in. siustry is also growing. Last year was the most prosperous year that the island has ever kno VII before or since the American occupation. The total of exports and imports Of the island was 45,000,0 900, as agains: $lS.000 900 1n 1901. This is the larees: in the Islands history. Prior to the Ameri. exn occupation the greatest trade for