Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-12-20

Bureau.
hington.-President Roosevelts
message, describing conditions in Por-
to Rico, and making recommendations
for Legislation he believes necessary
was read to the congress. 1t is as fol.
lows:
To the Senate and House OF Reprosen-
tatives:
On November 81 l 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
Arecibo to Ponce; the scenery was
wonderfully beautiful, especially
among the mountains of the interior,
which constitute a veritable tropic
Switzerland. l could not embark at
San Juan because the harbor has not
been dredged out and can not receive
an American battleship. | do not
think this fact creditable to us as
nation, and | earnestly hope that i'm
mediate provision will be made for
| 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-
tatives who have administered the
tropic islands which came under our
flag as a 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,
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 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 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
train them so that the industrial, agri-
cultural and commercial opportunities
of the island can be utilized to the
best possible advantage. 1t was evi-
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 ex-
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 Rcan
regiment of troops must be appro-
L
estly hope that this body will be kept
permanent. There shcuid certainly be
troops in the islanI, and it is wise
that these troops should be themselves
native Porto Ricans. It world be
from every standpoint mistake not
to perpetuate this regiment.
In traversing Tie island even the
most cursory survey leaves the De-
holder struck with the evident rand
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 $4,000, 900, as against $4,000, 900
In 1901. This is the largest in the
islands history. Prior to the Ameri.
can occupation the greatest trade for
any one year was that of 1896, when it
reached nearly $23,000,000 Last year,
therefore. there was double the trade
that there was y the most prosper
Gus year under the Spanish regime.
There were 210,273 tons of sugar ex-
ported last year, of the value of $14,-
1S6,319; s3,555,163 of tobacco, and
2S,290,322 pounds of coffee of the value
of $3,4S1 ,102. Unfortunately, what
used to be Porto Rico's prime crop
coffoe-has not shared this prosper.
ity. 1t has never recovered from the
disaster of the hurricane, and more
over, the benefit of throwing open
our market to it has not compensated
for the loss inflicted by the clas,as Of