Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-09-19

count for about two-ffths of the total
population, and show a decided tendency
to increase. while the full-blooded ne
gro is, through process of absorption
and by reason of physical shortcomings,
disappearing. 1t is not improbable that
the mulattoes will eventually form the
dominant element In the native popula-
ton. They are not subject to any
handicap on account of their descent in
a country where no prejudice is enter
tained against the blacks and where no
color line exists With the exception
of a handful of educated whites the
mulattoes are the only people in Porto
Rico who display any inclination TO bet
ter themselves, and they possess more
than others the qualities necessary to
success. The gibaro-the white peas
ants not to be reckoned with
Under the Spanlards the facilities for
education were very limited, and Porto
Rico labors under the unenviable dis
tinction of having a greater degree of
illiteracy than any other West Indian
island, and this despite the larger pro-
portion of the white population. More
than so per cent. of the inhabitants are
unable to read or write. 1t may be ex-
pected that the mulattoes will be the
chief benefciaries of the educational
system under American rule, for the gi-
baro can conceive OF no future for his
children more desirable than the happy
go-lucky existence of their father, in
which educa tional attachments find no
place whatever Whatever process Of
social evolution takes place In Porto
Rtpn In ha fnft l,
without the influence of immigration, for
tbs island Is already fully populated
Although 1t would be In many respects
an ideal field for the small American
farmer or planter. there is no room for
him. There is already a population of
264 to the square r.ile. and the greater
part of it is rural. The center OF popu-
lation and the center OF area are both
within Ave or six miles of the town of
Barros, in the southeastern district of
the Department of Arecibo. There is,
however, an ample field In Porto Rico
for capitalists, large and small, or.
rather, there will be when the absurd
restrictions against corporate enterprise
are removed. The Porto Rlcans as a
community are poor. According to the
last census the entire wealth of the
island was estimated at $4,000, 900,
with an Offset of about SIC. 900 of
mortgage and other Indebtedness. leaving
a per capita wealLh Of about $50. The
development and prosperity of the coun-
try must be dependent upoc American
capital and would doubtless have de-
rived a great impetus from that source
ere this but for the mistaken policy
that prohibited fits introduction The leg
islators whose paternal protection OF the
fancied interests of the Porto Ricans
led them to amend all effectiveness out
of the Forako Act have proved them
selves the We ret enemies Of our needy
colony.
The early Spanish colonlsts we're sol.
diers and adventurers- men whose knowl.
edge was limited to the art Of arms, with,
perhaps. smattering of navigation. Gold
was the magnet that drew them across
seas from their distant fathegiand In
guest Of the precious metal, they we're
willing to face all manner Of danger and
TO undergo the most severe hardships;
but they had no stomach FOR the tame
pursuits OF husbandry. It was not until
q later time that they learnt to appreci-
ate the slower out more sure road to
wealth by way OF the plantation and the
farm. With the diminution Of the abo-
rhymes urgent need arose for tillers Of
the soil. The lack Of agricultural labor
ers often brought the eolonists into the
most critical straits. Living In a land
which, with little aid from man, pro
dueed foodstufs IN abundance. they de-
pended largely upon supply ships, and
when these, prevented by contrary winds
or captured by enemies, failed them, the
spaniards were reduced to the verge Of
starvation. To relieve this condition emil
grafton from the provinces Of the mother