The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1906-12-12
ISLANDS AFFAIRS SUBJECT OF
a SPECIAL COMM MuNiCATiON
FROM PRESIDENT.
COUNTRY IN PROSPEROUS CONDITION
FAVORS FULL CITIZENSHIP FOR
PEOPLE BUT NOT COMPLETE
sELF.GovERNMENT.

Washington, Dec. 12.-President
Roosevelt has sent special message
to congress treating exclusively OF
Porto Rican affairs. In opening he
speaks highly of the beauty and fertil-
ity Of the island, as noted In his recent
visit, and tells of the great progress
made under its present admirable
government. In the matter Of educa-
tion, he declares, the work of the In
sular government Is particularly note
worthy After praising the excellent
character of the insular police and Of
the Porto Rican regiment, all of whom
are natives, he continues:
"In traversing the island even the
most cursory survey leaves the be-
holder struck with the evident rapid
growth in the culture both Of the sugar
cane and tobacco. The fruit industry
is also growing. Last year was the
most prosperous year that the island
has ever known before or since the
American occupation. The total of
exports and imports of the island was
$45 100000 as against $18,000,0OO In
1901. This Is the largest In the ISL
nnd's history. Prior to the American
occupation the greatest trade for any
one year was that of 1896, when 1t
reached nearly $23,000,00O. Last year,
therefore, there was double the trade
that there was in the most prosperous
year under the Spanish regime. There
were 210,273 tons Of sugar exported
last year, of the value of $14,186,319;
1855, ,163 of tobacco and 28,290,322
pounds OF coffee Of the value of $3,-
481, 1,1O2. Unfortunately, what used to
be Porto Rico's prime crop-coffee-
has not shared this prosperity. 1t has
never recovered from the disaster OF
the hurricane and, moreover, the ben
eft of throwing open our market to 1t
has not compensated for the loss In
flicted by the closing of the markets
to 1t abroad. l call your attention to
the accompanying memorial on this
subject by San Juan board Of trade.
| ."There is a matter to which wish
to call your especial attention and
that Is the desirability Of comforting
full American citizenship upon the
people OF Porto Rico. most earnestly
hope that this will be done. can not
see how any harm can possibly result
from 1t and 1t seems to me matter Of
right and justice to the people OF
Porto Rico. They are loyal, they are
glad to be under our flag, they are
making rapid progress along the path
of orderly liberty. Surely we should
show our appreciation of them, our
pride In what they have done and our
pleasure In extending recognition for
what has thus been done by granting
them full American citizenship.
Opposes Complete Home Rule.
Under the wise administration OF
the present governor and council
marked progress has been made In the
difficult matter Of granting to the peO-
pie of the island the largest measure
Of self-government that can with
safety be given at the present time. 1t
would have been. very serious mis-
take to have gone any faster than we
have already gone In this direction.
The Porto Ricans have complete and
absolute autonomy in all their munic-
ipal governments, the only power over
them possessed by the insular govern
ment being that Of removing corrupt
or incompetent municipal officials. It
is not a power with which It would be