The Monticellonian., 1906-12-20

shington.-President Roosevelt's message, describing conditions in Por- to Rico, and making recommendations for legislation he believes necessary, was read to the congress. It is as fol lows:
 To the Senate and House of Represen-
 tatlves:
 On November 21 I 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. 1 could not embark at San Juan because the harbor has not been dredged out and can not receive an American battleship. I do not think this fact creditable to us as nation, and l earnestly hope that i'm mediate provision will be made for dredging San Juan harbor.
 doubt whether our people as whole realize the beauty and fertility of Porto Rico, and the progress that has been made under it's admirable government We have just cause for pride in the character of our represen- tatives who have administered the tropic islands which came under our nag as result of the war with Spain and of no one of them is this more true than of Porto Rico. It 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 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 em- phasis, as is eminently wise and prop er has been put upon primary educa- tion; but in addition to this there is a 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 be utilized to the best possible advantage. It was evi- 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 endeavoring to train their pupils, not only in mind, but in what counts for far more than mind in citizenship, that is, in character.
 I 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. I earn estly hope that this body will be kept
 
 troops in the islanI, 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 traversing .fe 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 kroyn before or since the American occupation. The total of exports and imports of the island was 45,000, 900, as agains. $fs,000,000 sn 1901. This is the largest in the islands history. Prior to the Ameri- can occupation the greatest trade for