The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-12
PRESIDENT WRITES
ABOUT PORTO RICO
Message Enthusiastic in Praise
of Island
PROGRESS OF EDUCATION
Roosevelt Also Tells the Senate of the
Advancement the Island Has Made
Toward the Goal of Self
Government.
PROGRESS OF EDUCATION

Washington, December 1.-THE Presi-
dents message to Congress, giving the
result of his recent observation in Porto
Rico, and making recommendations con-
corning the government of that island,
was delivered to the Senate today. 1t
was read at length and received careful
attention.
The message was as follows;
no the Senate and House of Representa-
tives
On November 81 | visited the island of
Porto Rico, landing at Ponce crossing by
the old Spanish road by Cayey to San
Juan, and returning next morning over
the new American road from Arecibo to
Ponce; the scenery was wonderfully beau
tlful, especially ameng the mountains of
the interior, which constitutes Yeritable
tropic Switzerland. l could not embark
at San Juan because the harbor has net
been dredged out and cannot receive ar
an American battle ship. 1 do not think
this fact creditable to us as nation,
and l earnestly hope that immediate pro-
vision will be made for dredging San
Juan harbor.
l 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 representatives 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 Rise. 1t
would be impossible to wish a more
faithful, a more efficient and more dis
interested public service than that now
being rendered in the island of Porto
Rico by those in control Of the insular
government.
Gathering of School Children.
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 note
worthy. The main emphasis, as is emf
nently wise and proper, has been put
upon primary education; but in addition
TO this there is normal school, an
agricultural school, three industrial and
three high schools Every effort is being
made to secure not only the benefits OF
elementary education to all the Porto
Ricans of the next generation, but lso
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 advantage.
1t was evident at a glance that the
teachers, both Americans and native Porto
Ricans, were devoted to their work. took
the greatest pride in it, and were en-
deavoring to train theft pupils, not only
in mind but in what counts for far more
than mind in citizenship, that is. in char
acter.
| was very much struck by the excel
lent character both of the insular police
and of the Porto Rican regiment. They
both of them bodies that reflect credit
upon the American administration of the
island. The insuar police are under the
local Porto Rican government. The Porto
Rican regiment of troops must be ap-
propra ted for by the Congress. 1 earn
estly hope that this body will be kept
permanent. There should certainly be
troops in the island and it is wise that
these troops should be themselves ma tive
Porto Rieans. 1t would be from every
standpoint a mistake not to perpetuate
this regiment.
Rapid Growth of Crops.
In traversing the island even the most
cursory survey leaves the beholder struck
with the evident rapid growth in the
,culture both of the sugar cane and to-
bacco The fruit industry is also grow
ing. Last year was the most prosperous
year that the island has ever known be-
fore or since the American occupation.
The total of exports and imports of the
island was forty-five millions of dollars
as against eighteen millions in 1901. This
is TIE larges. in the islands history
Prior to the American occupation the
greatest trade for any one year was that
OF 1876, when it reached nearly twenty
three millions of dollars. Last year, there
fore, there was double the trade that
there was in the most prosperous wear
under the Spanish regime. There were
2l0,2l3 tons of sugar exported last wear
of the value of sl41S6,3l9: $3555163 of to-
bacco, and 2s,29O.322 pounds of coffee of
the value of s3,4s1 1902. Unfortunately.
what used to be Porto Rico's prime crop
-eonee-has not shared this prosperity.
1t has never recovered from the disaster
of the hurricane. and moreover the bene
fit of throwing open our market to it
has not compensated for the loss inflicted
by the closing of the markets to it abroad
] call your attention to the accompanying
memorial on this subject, of the Board
of Trade of San Juan. and I earnestly
hope that some measure will be taken for
the benefit of the excelnt and high grade
Porto Rcan coffee.
In addition to delegations from the
Board of Trade and Chamber of Com
merce of San Juan. | also received dele
cations from the Porto Rican Federation
of Labor, and from the Coffee Growers
association.
There is a matter to which I wish to
cali your special attention, and that is
the desirability of comforting full Ameri-
can citizenship upon the people of Porto
Rico. I most earnestly hope that this
will be done. I cannot see how any harm
can possible result form it, and it seems
to me a 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.
Progress In SeIf-Government.
Under the wise administration of the
present governor and council marked
progress has been made in the difficult
matter of granting to the people of the