Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-12-22


message, describing conditions in Por-
to Rico, and making recommendations
for legislation he believes necessary,
was read to the congress. 1t is as fol-
lows:
To the Senate and House Of Represen.
tatives:
On November 21 ! visited the island
of Porto Rico, landing at Ponce, cross
Ing by the old Spanish road by Cayey
to San Juan, and returning next morn
ing over the new American road from
Arecibo to Ponce; the scenery was
wonderfully beautiful, especially
among the mountains of the interior
which constitute a veritable tropic
Switzerland, l could not embark at
San Juan because the harbor has not
been dredged out and can not receive
an American battleship. l do not
think this fact creditabe to US as a
nation, and earnestly hope that i'm
mediate provision 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 represen.
tatiyes 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 Rico. 1t would be
impossible to wish a more faithful, a
more efficient and a more disinter-
ested public service than that now be-
ing rendered in the island of Porto
Rico by those in control of the insular
government.
l 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 Rico for education
has been noteworthy. The main en-
phasis, as is eminently wise and prop.
er, has been put upon primary educa-
ton; but in addition to this there is q
normal school, and agricultural school,
three industrial and three high
schools. Every effort is being made to
secure not only the benefits Of ele-
mentary education to all the Porto
Ricans OF the next generation, but
| also as far as means will permit to
train them so that the industrial, agri-
cultural and commercial opportunities
Of the island can he utilized to the
best possible advantage. 1t was evil
dent 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
endeayoring to train their pupils, not
only in mind, but in what counts for
far more than mind in citizenship, that
Is, in character.
l 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 appro-
priated for by the congress. earn
estly hope that this body will be kept
permanent, There Should certainly be
troops in the island, and 1t is wise
that these troops should be themselves
native Porto Ricans, It would be
from every standpoint a mistake not
to perpetuate this regiment.
In trayersipg ;te island even the
most cursory survey leaves the be-
holder struck with the evident rapid
growth in the culture both Of the SUI
gar cane and tobacco. The fruit in
dustry is also growing. Last year was
the most prosperous year that the
island has ever known before or slncs
the American occupation. The tota
of exports and imports of the islant
was S45O0O,OO as against SlS,OOO.OO(
In 1901. This is the larges. in the
Islands history. Prior to the Ameri
can occupation the greatest trade fol