The Delta independent., 1917-01-26

if man should say that he were a
citizen of Porto Rico he would be sim
ply acknowledging that he was neither
fsh, flesh nor fowl as citizen OF
course under the United States rule
the Porto Ricans have had something
to say about their home government.
but they had no such rights as citizens
of the United States enjoy. and their
status. while ii involved obedience
to the laws of the United States. car
ried only a subordinate right to make
the laws under which the island was
governed.
Porto Rico was not conquered by the
United States in one sense. although IL
was occupied during our war with
Spain when such Spanish soldiers rs
were there were defeated in battles
that We're nothing more than skir-
mishes. The Porto Ricans themselves
met the soldiers of Gen. Nelson A.
Miles with outstretched hands ard
with hearts full of hospitality. Nearly
all of them We're glad to get away from
the control of Spain.
Congress has been told from time
to time that the islanders expected to
pS Si'Ch NOi Lights as new
bers of the great republican family
which they had been denied In the
past. They are allowed today to elect
their own island house of representa-
tves, but its will is entirely subject
to that of the American appointed gov
ernOr and his executive council An
other Edward Everett Hale might write
another Man Without Country"
with Porto Rican as its hero.
Some Want Independence
Through the years that have passed
when it became apparent to the Porto
Ricans that in the matter of bestow-
ing American citizenship upon them
congress intended to act very slowly. If
at all, many of the people have be-
come Indifferent to the American tie
and actually have demanded complete
independence. There is In the island
today considerable party which
hopes that the political bonds which
tie the country to the United States
today may sometime be severed. The
unionist party, however. contains a
majority of the people and these de-
sire to continue the union with the
United States, but on the basis OF
American Citizenship. Apparently it
is the belief of the American con
gress that all the Porto Ricans event
ually will become satisfied provided
citizenship he given to them
To Aid Vocational Training.
On the point of passage. and soon
unquestionnbly to receive the presi
dents approval. is the bill which Will
give federal aid TO the various states
for the promotion of vocational educ1i-
ton In agriculture and the trades aud
Industries. Irrespective Of pnrfy. most
of the members of congress seem IL
think this measure is he one of In
most saIutary educational works "v,i
entered upon by the government.
In brief. this vocational .duc;ifiuiiii
measure provides for financial nssis
tance from the government. To br III
creased in amount from year TO year
for any state which in its own hrltaif
chooses to allot Il certain amount -
money from its treasury for the pun
pose of carrying forward the etluc.i
tionsl endeayor The sums which ur.
to be allotted by the government Z
the different states for the Teaching a.
agricultural subjects are to he In III
proportion which the rural populniIni
of these states bears to the total ruri
population of the United States.
The sums which are to be uppof
toned in the states for instruction Il.
trade and Industrial subjects are to tf
allotted in the proportion which tii'
states urban population bsnrs Ia ihf
total urban population of the United
States.
Cabinet Members on Board.
The law creates a federal board for
vocational education. 1t is to consist
of the postmaster general. the secre-
tary of the interior. the secretary Of
agriculture, the secretary of commerce
aud the secretary of labor. This boiird
Is to make studies and investigations
which will enable the government In
telligently to assist In the establish
ment of vocational schools and classes
and in giving instruction In agricul-
ture trades. industries, commerce and
commercial pursuits and home eco
noInics.
Soon after the president signs thi:
vocational educational bill which at
this writing is in conference between
the two houses. and virtually Is GER
tain to pass. the board consisting of
| the cabinet officers already named will
| select general director of all voca-
| tional educational work. He probably
will be paid a salary of $500 year.
A specialist In agricultural education
Is TO be employed, probably at salary
of $1,000 year. Other specialists re-
,.tn tx.tII hx.