Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-12-11
PRESIDENT SENDS
SPECIAL MESSAGE
contInuee irom First Page.
Impressed BY Schools

Impressed BY Schools
/ stopt 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
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 The e
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 Porto Rlcans Of the next genera
ton, but also as far as means will per-
NIT TO train them so that the industrial.
agricultural and commercial opportuni-
ties OF the island can be utilized to the
best possible advantage. 1t was evident
at a glance that the teachers. both Ameri-
cans and native Porto Ricans. were de-
voted to their work, took the greatest
pride In IT, and were endeavorng to train
their pupils, not only IN mind but in
what counts for far more than mind. in
citizenship, that is, in character.
Lauds Police
was very much struck by the excel
lent character both OF the insular police
and Of the Porto Rico regiment They are
both Of them bodies that reflect credit
upon the American administration OF the
island. The insular police are under the
local Porto Rican government. The
Porto Rican regiment of troops must ht
appropriated for by the Congress.
earnestly hope that this body will be kept
permanent. There should certainly Ia
troops in the island and It is wise that
these troops should be themselves native
Porto Ricans 1t would be from every
standpoint a mistake not to perpetuats
this regiment
Imports and Exports
In traversing the island even the mos
cursory survey leaves the behoider strucl
with the evident rapid growth in the cul
ture both OF the sugar cane and tobacco
The fruit Industry is also growing. Las
year was the most prosperous year tna
the island has ever known before or since
the American occupation. The total o.
exports and imports of the island wal
forty-nve millions OF dollars as agains
.peighteen millions in 1901. rms is the lar
gest In The islands history Prior u III
American occupation the greatest trad
for 1nv no Year Wfs thai 81 Is0C who
R.fsarhrd nelriS iwen'y.,hra miliions il
dollars. tastNcaf therefore. there VIA
doabid mo. trade That there was IN IN
most nrospt rous year under the SPANS
regime. There were 2iO.213 tons OF suea
cSported last year, Of the value Of N4
ksG,3i9; s3,b55i03 Of tobacco. and 2s, 2sO3
pounds Of coffee to the value OF So, lsl, 10.
Unfortunately, what used TO be Port
Rico's prime crop-coffee- not share
this prosperity. II has never receive e
from the disaster OF the hurricane, an
moreover, the benent Of throwing ono
our market to It has not compensated I
tho less inflicted by the closing Of n
markets 10 Il abroad. ! cali your attic,
ton TO the accompanying memorial O
this subject. OF the Board Of Trade
San Juan, and earnestly hope that som
measure will be taken for the benent {
the excellent and high grade Porto Rica
coffee
Delegates Received
In addition to delegatio Is from N
Board OF Trade and Chamber OF Con
merce Of san Juan, I also received &c
egations from the Porto Rican Fedcrlii.
Of Labor. and from the Conee Grcwt-
Association.
Advocates Citizenship
There is a matter to which wish
7 csli your special attention. aaI that
r the desirability OF comforting ~
J American citizenship upon the Deopl
Of Porto Rico. / most earnestly hop
that this will be done cannot Sc
: how any possible harm can result fro.
Il, and It seems to me matter
right and justice to the people
Porto Rico. They are loyal, they NJ
glad to be under our flag. they al
Z making rapid progress along the rat
OF orderly liberty Surely we shoul
show our appreciation of them. OF
pride in what they have done. ami oil
, pleasure in extending recognition Il
what has thus been done, by grantin
} them fun American citizenship.
Praises Administration
Under the wise administration OF n
present governor and council, marke
progress has been made In the difHcu
matter Of granting to the people OF u
island the largest measure of sell
government that can with safety
given at the present time. II wou'
have been a very serious mistake
!. have gone any faster than we ha'
I, already gone In this direction. IT
!, Porto Ricans have complete and al
I. solute autonomy IN all their munic
!, pal governments, the only power ov'
y them possessed by the insular govern
ment being that Of removing CORFU
"A or incompetent municipal Official
"A This power has never been exercise
u save on the clearest proof OF CORFU
= tion or incompetence--sueh as 10 jeol
!. ardize the Interests OF the people
IA the island; and under such circun
4 stances Il has been fearlessly used
w the immense beneht OF the people.
h is not a power with which Il would
ID safe. for the sake OF the island itse
10 dispense at present The low
IN house is absolutely elective. while Il
Is upper house is appointive. This scncr
et Is working well; no injustice OF al
1t. Kind results from IT, and great bene
cd TO the island, and Il should certain
be not be changed at this time. Tho NJ
chinery Of the elections is administe
at ed entirely BY the Porto Rican pcor
ks themselves. the governor and coun
st keeping only such supervision as
n. necessary In order to insure an order
e election. Any protest as 70 alectoi
IN frauds is settled in the courts. He
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