Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1906-12-20

Washington. Roosevelt's
message, describing conditions in Por-
90 Rico. and making recommendation
Tor legislation he believes necessary,
was read to the congress. 1t is as fol-
lows:
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives:
On November 81 visited the island
OF Porto Rico. landing at Ponce. cross
ing By the old Spanish road by Cayey
60 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. could not embark at
San Juan because the harbOr has rot
been dredged out and can not receive
an American battleship. l do not
think this fact creditable to us as a
nation, and I earnestly hope that Inn
mediate provision will be made for
dredging 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 character of our represen-
tatlves who have administered the
tr0plc islands which came under our
dag 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 q 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
mas been noteworthy. The main en-
phasis, as is eminently wise and prop
Ter, has been put upon primary educa,
ton; 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 al far as means will permit tc
train them 80 that the industrial, agri
cultural and commercial opportunities
OF the island can be utilized to the
best possible advantage. 1t was evi
dent at a glance that the teachers
both Americans and native Porte
Ricans, were devoted to their work
took the greatest pride in it, and wer,
endeavoring to train their pupils, no
only In mind, but in what counts 70
far more than mind in citizenship, tina
As, in character.
/ was very much struck by the ez
cellent character both Of the insula
police and of the Porto Rlcan reg
ment They are both Of them bodie
that reflect credit upon the America
administration Of the island. The II
sular police are under the local Port
Bican government. The Porto Rlea
regiment OF troops must be apprC
priated for by the congress. l carr
estIy hope that this body will be Ike,
permanent There should certainly
troops In the island, and 1t is wis
that these troops should be therselve
native Porto Rlcans. 1t would b
from every standpoint mistake nc
20 perpetuate this regiment.
In trayersing tie island even tn
rsost cursory survey leaves the b.
holder struck with the evident rapl
growth IN the culture both OF the 81
gar cane and tobacco, The fruit Il
dustry is also growing. Last year wa
&he most prosperous year that til
ISLAND has ever known before or sine
che American occupation The tot
u exports and imports of the islam
was 100000, as against SIS .O00,O
An 1891. This is the largest In Ii
Islands history. Prior to the Amer
can occupation the greatest trade 4
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