Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1921-07-01

selves In the undue excitement aud factlonalism
OF electoral contests 1t is the business of the gov.
ernor, whether appointed elected, to apply firm.
ness, wisdom and intelligence to promoting the
welfare Of the Porto Rlcan people 1t is probably
Detter Tor the island that the governorshIp, like
the judiciary, should exercise its functions above
ana beyond the control of local parties.
Ihere has been good deal OF conflict between
capital engaged in such Industries as those OF SUI
CUR and tobacco on the one side and labor-organ-
lied under socialIstc leadershlp-on the other
hand 1t might not be best for the island at the
present time to have such economic conflicts car
eled Into the political arena in the election OF a
governor. There would seem to be quite enough
opportunity for play of popular politics in the
election of members of the two branches of the
legislature, Of the delegates to Washington, and
or local and municipal governments.
The United States has recently paid the sum Of
S2OOOOOOO TO Denmark for St. Thomas and the
other small islets Of the Danish group. which we
now call the Virgin islands and which lie near
Porto Rico TO the eastward. This purchase in a
fresh evidence Of the Importance that Is attached
at Washington to the position Of the United States
in the West Indies, at the Panama Tsthmus and In
the Caribbean region II, then, we are permanent
~ to exercise foremost influence In the defense
and the progress Of those regions. the most obvi-
Gus thing to do is to concentrate strongly upon
the development of Porto Rico. A great work for
health and education must be carried in the Is
land, and the success Of such an undertaking would
JUSTIFY all necessary expenditures of money and
of scientific effort.
The foundations are well laid and the tasks 20
be achieved are specific and clearly defined. The
island is agricultural and Is overpopuated. II il
capable Of an Industrial development that would
increase the income Of the average family and give
steady employment to surplus labor. On the other
hand many Porto Ricans might with advantage be
colonlzed in parts Of the United States where ag-
ricultural labor Is needed They are already Amer
ican citizens and entitled to preference as against
allen Europeans.
From the standpoint OF American defense, Porto
Rico has the strategic advantages Of location that
have not at times been sufficiently well understood
by the authorities at Washington. In the long
run. the tests OF efficiency and OF economy would
be best met by concentrating far possible
upon harbor Improvement and defensive prepare
lions in Porto Rico as bearing upon the protection
of the Panama canal and of all proper inter-
egts in the Caribbean regions.
As an evidence OF our regard for Porto Rico and
esteem for our fellow citizens there. IT would be
desirable to appoint a certain number Of Porto
Ricans to positions in the departments at WASH
ington and also to belect several Porto Rcans OF
suitable education and experience for diplomatic
and consular positions
Although our Spanish-speaking nelghb0rs TO the |
southwark have had more than four centuries Of
experience in trying 10 adapt themselves to the |
conditions Of life In their respective regions II IN
well 10 remember that there centuries yet to
come and that the future win give ample oppor-
tnnify to atone for the mistakes Of the past The 4
applicafon of scientific knowledge is the principal
agency that must now rely upon for improve /
ment of Individual and Of social conditions. The 1
Western Hemisphere must be harmonious in all /
that makes for the avoidance Of war. II can be /
associated ir many ways for intellectual progress
and for the wide diffusion Of things that make up
our modern standards Of civilized life One Of the
ways in which the people Of the United States |
eau hest uromote the future weII-being Of our /
hemisphere az q whole IL to contribute toward In
tensye progress in the beautiful island which rec
ognizes the American 'aag as its own.