Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-13
URGED BY PRESIDENT RoosE-
WELT IN HIS MESSAGE ON
PORTO RICO
SOUNDS HIGH PRAISES
Tells Congress Of His Visit to the Is.
Iand-PIeased With the Progress in
Educational Lines-ereat Hopes for
the Future.

Washington, D. c.. Dec. 11.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt sent the following spe-
cial message to congress today, rela-
tive To Porto Rico:
To the senate and house Of repres-
entatives:
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 NOR
ming over the new American road from
Arec1bo 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
San Juan because the harbor has not
been dredged out and cannot receive
an American battleship. / do not think
this fact creditable to us as nation,
and / earnestly hpe that immediate
provision will be made for dredging
San Juan harbor.
Do Not Realize Progress.
doubt whether our people as a
whole realize the beauty and fertility
Of Porto Rico, and the progress that
has been hade under it's admirable
government. We have just cause for
pride in the character Of our repres-
entatives who have administered the
tropic islands which came under our
flag as a result of the war with Spain;
true than of Porto Rico. 1t would be
Impossible to wish a more faithful, a
more efficient and a more disinteresteo
HI
dered in the island of Porto Rico by
those in control Of the insular govern
ment.
l stopped at dozen towns all told,
and one of the notable features in ev-
cry town was the gathering of school
children. The work that has been
done in Porto Rico for education has
been noteworthy. The main emphasis,
as is eminently wise and proper, has
been put upon primary education;
but in addition to this there is nor.
NAL school, an agricultural school,
three Industrial and three high schools.
Every effort is being hade to secure,
not only the benefits of elementary
education to all Porto Ricans Of the
next generation, but also as far as
means will permit to train them SO
that the industrial, agricultural and
commercial opportunities of the island
can be utilized to the best possible adj
vantage. It was evident 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 cit.
izenship, 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 Rican
regiment of troops must be appropriat.
ed for by the congress. / earnestly
hope that this body will be kept per
manent There should certainly be
troops in the island, and it Is wise that
these troops should be themselves
native Porto Ricans. 1t would be from
every standpoint mistake not to per
petuate this regiment.
Growth Of Culture.
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
& Il