The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-12-12
FINDS PORTO RICO
WORTHY Of PRAISE
President Transmits to Con-
gress Results of His Visit
to the Island.
RECOMMENDS C0NFERRING
OF FULL CITIZENSHIP
Speaks Highly of the Schools
and the Possibilities in
Agricultural Line.

President 5 message to Congress, Civ
ing the result Of his recent observation
in Porto Rico, and making recommen-
dations concerning the government of
that island, was read TO the Senate to-
day. The message was as follows;
To the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatiYes;
on November 21 | visited the island
of Porto Rico. landing AT Ponce, cross
ing by the old Spanish road by Cayey
20 San Juan, and returning next morn
Ing over the new American road from
Arecbo TO Ponce: the sceSery was won
derfully beautiful. especially among the
mountains of The interior which consti-
could not embark at San Juan because
the haroor has not been dredged out and
cannot receive an American battleship.
do not think this fact creditable 10 us as
a nation. and | earnestly hope that i'm
mediate provision Will be made for drede
ing San Juan harbor
/ 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
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
more faithful a more efficient and
more distinterested public service than
that now being rendered in the island
OF Porto Rico by those in control OF the
lnsular government.
Praises Educational Work.
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 Sico 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 a normal school, an aeri-
cultural school, three industrial and three
high schools. Every effort is being made
70 secure not only the benefits of ele-
mentary education TO all the Porto Ri
cans OF the next generation. but also as
far as means will permit. 10 train them
so that the industrial, agricultural and
commercial opportunities OF the island
can he utilized 70 the best possible adj
vantage. II was evident az n glance that
the teachers. both Americans and native
Porto Rlcans. were devoted to their work,
and took the greatest pride In it, and
were endeavoring 10 train their pupils.
not only in mind but In what counts FOR
far more than mind in citizenship, that
is, I'm character,
I was very much struck by the excel
lent character both of the insular police
and of the Porto Rican regiment. They
are both Of them bodies that reflect credit
upon the American administration OF the
island The lnsular police are under the
local Porto Rican government The Por
10 Rican regiment OF troops must be ap
propriated for by the Congress. ] ear
nestly hope that this body Will be kept
permanent. There should certainly be
troops in the Island and II is wise that
these troops should be themselves native
Porto Ricans. II would be from every
standpoint mistake not 10 perpetuate
this regiment.
Most Prosperous Year.
In traversing the island even the most
cursory survey leaves the beholder struck
with the evident rapid growth in the Gull
ture both OF the sugar cane and tobac-
60. The fruit industry is also growing.
Last year was the most prosperous year
that the island has ever known before
or since the American occupation. The
total OF exports and imports of the island
was forty-fve millions of dollars as
against eighteen millions In 1901, This
is the largest In the islands history,
Prior 10 the American occupation, the
of 1896 when 1t reached nearly twenty
three millions Of dollars. Last year. there
fore. there was double the trade that
there was in the most prosperous year
under the Spanish regime. There were
2l0,2I3 tons OF sugar exported last year,
of the value OF Sl4. 1856, 319; s5.556.l6S of
tobacco. and 2S 29o.322 pounds OF coffee
OF the value OF $3.4S1.102 Unfortunately.
what used To be Porto Rico's prime crop
-comee-has not shared this prosperity.
II has never recovered from the disaster
of the hurricane and, moreover, the bene-
At of throwing open our market TO 1t has
not compensated for the loss inflicted by
the closing of the markets to It abroad
l call your attention to the accompany
ing memorial on this subject. OF the
Board of Trade of San Juan, and L ear
nestly hope that some measure VIII be
taken for the benefit Of the excellent and
high grade Porto Rican coffee.
In addition to delegations from the
Board OF Trade and Chamber or Com
merce of San Juan. 1 also received dele
of Labor. and from the Coffee growers
association.
Should Confer Citizenship.
There Is a matter TO which l wish TO
call your special attention, and that is
the desirability OF comforting full Ameri-
can citizenship upon the people or Porto
Rico ! most earnestly hope that this
will be done. / can not see how harm
can possibly result from 1t. and It seems
to me matter OF right and justice TO
they arc glad 10 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.
I-nder the wise administration OF the
present Governor and Council. marked
progress has been made In the difficult
matter OF granting 10 the people of the
crnment that with safety be given
at tho present time. II would have been
a very serious mistake 10 nave gone any
faster than we have already gone In this
direction The Porto Ricans have com
plete and absolute autonomy In all their
municipal governments. the only power
over them possessed by the nsular Gov
ernment being that OF removing corrupt
or incompetent municipal officials This
power has never been exercised save on
the clearest proof OF corruption or OF in
as 10 1eopardize the
interests OF the people Of the Island; and
under such circumstances II has been
fearlessly used 10 the immense benefit of
the people. II Is not power with which
II would be safe, for the sake Of the Is