The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-12-15

message, describing conditions in Por-
to Rico, and making recommendation
Tor legislation he believes necessary.
was read to the congress. 1t is as fol
lows:
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives:
On November 81 visited the island
OF Porto Rico, landing at Ponce, cross
Ing by the old Spanish road by Cayey
TO San Juan, and returning next morn
Ing over the new American road from
Arectbo to Ponce: the scenery was
wonderfully beautiful, especially
among the mountains of the interior.
which constitute veritable tropic
Switzerland, l could not embark at
San Juan because the harbor has not
been dredged out ana can not receive
an American battleship. l do not
think this fact creditable to us as
nation, and | earnestly hope that i'm
mediate provision will be made for
dredging San Juan harbor
1 doubt whether our people as a
whole realize the beauty and fertility
of Porto Rico, and the progress that
government. We have Just cause for
pride in the character of our represen
tatiyes who have administered the
trOpic islands which came under our
nag as result of the war with Spain;
and of no one of them is this more
true than of Porto Rico. 1t would be
impossible to wish a more faithful, a
more efficient and 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.
stopped at a dozen towns all told,
and 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 en-
phasis, as is eminently wise and prop
er. has been put upon primary educa
ton, but in addition to this there is
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
hltduS vi luc UtAl II, DuL
also as far as means will permit to
train them so that the industrial agri-
cultural and commercial opportunities
of the island can be utilized to the
best possible advantage. 1t was evil
dent at glance that the teachers.
both Americans and native Porto
Ricans, were devoted to their work
took the greatest pride in it, and were
endeavoring to train their pupils. not
only in mind, but in what counts for
far more than mind in citizenship, that
is. in character
was very much struck by the en-
cellent character both of the insular
police and of the Porto Rican regi-
ment. They are both of them bodies
that reflect credit upon the American
administration of the island. The in
sular police are under the local Porto
Rican 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 shcu.d certainly be
troops in the island. and it is wise
that these troops should be themselves
native Porto Riclns. II world he
from every standpoint a mistaFe not
TO perpctuate this regiment.
In traversing lie island even the
most cursory surrey leaves the oe-
holder struck with the evident rapid
growth in the culture both of the SUI
gar cane and tobacco. The fruit in
dustry is also growing. Last year was
the most prosperous year that the
island has ever kro vn before or since
the American occupation. The total
of exports and imports of the island
was $45, 100000 as against s1S,OU0,O00
in 1901 This Is the larses: i'll the
islands history. Prior to the Ameri
can occupation the greatest trade for