The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-07-23
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selves in tbe undue excitement and factionaliSn
of electoral contests 1t is the business Of the gov
ernor, whether appointed or elected to apply hrnf
ness, wisdom and intelligence to promoting the
welfare of the Porto Rican people. 1t is probably
better for the island that the governorship, like
the judiciary, should exercise its functions above
and beyond the control Of local parties.
There has been a good deal of conflict between
capital engaged in such industries as those OF SUI
gar and tobacco on the side and labor-Organ-
lied under socialistc leadership-on the other-
hand. 1t might not be best for the island at the
present time to have such economic conflicts car
ried into the political arena In the selecton OF
governor. There would seem to be quite enough
opportunity for a play of popular politics IN the
election of members of the two branches OF the
legislature, of the delegates to Washington, ana
of local and municipal governments.
The United States has recently paid the sum OF
s2OOOOOOO to Denmark for st. Thomas and the
other small isets of the Danish group, which we
new call the Virgin islands and which lie near
Porto Rico to the eastward. This purchase Is
fresh evidence of the Importance that is attacheo
at Washington to the position of the United STATES
in the West Indies, at the Panama lsthmus' anu III
the Caribbean region. If, then, we are permanent
w TO exercise foremost influence in the defense
and the progress of those regions, the most opvi-
Gus thing to do is ITO concentrate strongly upon
the development of Porto Rico. great work LOT
health and education must be carried on III the IS
land and the success of such an undertaking wouio
iustify all necessary expenditures of money ana
of scientific effort.
The foundations are well laid and the tasks to
he achieved are specific and clearly defined The
island Is agricultural and is overpOpulated IL Is
capable of an industrial development that Wouio
increase the income of the average famly anu sise
steady employment to surplus labor. On Inc Quiet
hand many Porto Ricans might with advantage 10
colonized in parts of the United States where az
adod Tlnv
lean citizens and entitled to preference as against
alien Europeans
From the standpoint of American Defense Porto
Rico has the strategic advantages OF location that
have not at times been sufficiently well understood
nv the authorities at Washington. In the long
run. the tests Of efficiency and OF economy "ou,o
no hest met by concentrating as far as possible
49, horhor Improvement and defensive prepare
tons in Porto Rico as bearing upon the protection
of the Panama canal and of all our proper inter-
ests in the Caribbean regions
AZ an evidence of our regard for Porto Rico ana
esteem for our fellow citizens there II woulo pe
desirable to appoint certain number OF For.o
Ricans to positions in the departments al wash
ngton and also to select several Porto hlcals VI
suitable education and experience ior up'oln"'ic
and consular positions.
Although our Spanish-speaking neighbors to the
southwark have had more than four centuries OF
exnerience. in trying to adapt themselves to the
conditions Of life in their respective regions 1t
VOL, TO remember that there centuries yet to
come and that the future will give ample oppor
fnnitv TO atone for the mistakes Of the past. The
annl,cation of scientific knowledge is the principal
agency that we must now rely upon for improve
ment of individual and of social conditions. The
western Hemisphere must be harmonious In al
4ho+ makes for the avoidance of war. 1t can be
associated In many ways for intellectual progress
and for the wide diffusion of things that make VI
onr modern standards of civilized life. One OF the
ways in which the people of the United States
can best promote the future well-being of eul
hemisphere as a whole is to contribute toward In
tensve progress in the beautiful island winch rec
ogn:zes the American flag as its own.