When the Spanish voyagers first visited Puerto Rico they found the island inhabited by a tribe of Indians. The natives received their visitors kindly; they pointed out to them the great resources of the island; its fertile soil and boundless mineral wealth; and finally gave them accounts of wonderful lands beyond the seas where wealth untold could be theirs for the seeking.

It was not long before the Spaniards established themselves in the island. In the name of civilization and Christianity they ruled the island and reduced the natives to the most abject slavery. Bloody insurrections resulted which were repressed with cruel determination.

The methods pursued by the Spaniards toward the Indians has characterized their entire subsequent colonial policy. Gradually, as a result of intermarriage, Puerto Rico was populated by a new race which combined the characteristics of the original Indians and the Spaniards. Schools were established. The sons of the wealthy were sent to European universities and by contact with continental education the people of Puerto Rico attained to as high a stage of culture as their Spanish rulers. But though they were fully competent to govern themselves, the Spaniards did not depart from their selfish and narrow policy. The Puerto Ricans were allowed no participation in the government of the island. The courts of justice, the schools, the administrative offices were filled by Spaniards who enriched them

selves by the labor of the inhabitants while oppressing them in

every way.

When finally they were allowed to elect representatives to the Spanish chambers the Puerto Ricans thought they had secured for themselves a slight degree of participation in the government. The election of these men, however, was so completely controlled by the Spaniards, that the interests of the island were no better represented than before.

Great efforts were made to secure reforms in the government. But these were opposed by the wickedness or narrow minded prejudices of the Spanish rulers. Those who favored them, including some of the talented men in the island were exiled, or buried in the dungeons of Castile.

In 1895 the Cubans, no longer able to bear the yoke of Spanish tyranny, decided to rise in arms. In 1896 the inhabitants of the Philippine Archipelago followed their example. Then finally the government at Madrid, either fearing lest the small island might imitate her sister, the Pearl of the Antilles, or realizing at length that Puerto. Rico had arrived at that stage when all peoples can be trusted to govern themselves, gave the island an ample autonomous constitution. Puerto Rico became one of the forty-nine provinces of Spain having the same rights as those enjoyed by any one of the provinces of the peninsula.

Under this constitution a governor was appointed by the king, and an Administrative Council

was elected. This council was composed of fifteen persons, eight of whom had to be natives, and seven Spaniards. The constitution further provided for a legislature to be elected by popular vote in the proportion of one representative for every 25,000 inhabit

ants.

In addition to this Puerto Rico had the right of sending fifteen representatives to the Spanish houses at Madrid.

All governmental offices were placed in the hands of natives as an honorable compensation for so many years of self-sacrifice in securing the liberty of their country. On the 25th of November, 1897, the new constitution was proclaimed, and for the first time. in their history, the inhabitants of Puerto Rico were permitted to enact and execute their own laws.

But unfortunately this act of Spanish generosity came too late, for in a few months the SpanishAmerican war broke out and Puerto Rico passed under the flag of the great North American Republic.

Thus began a new epoch in the history of the island. The Puerto Ricans had heard of the nobility of the Americans; they admired the wisdom of their Constitution and the liberty and equality represented by their flag; they welcomed the invaders and gladly accepted the change of allegiance. A military government was at once established, which, like all military governments was bad; the constitution having been abrogated, and the only recognized law being that of force, no people under such conditions could be happy or well ruled. Besides, all the affairs of the island were placed in the hands of Americans who were not familiar with the

customs of the country and who for the most part were ignorant of the language. During this time the Puerto Ricans suffered many hardships, but encouraged by the hope that the situation would change, and knowing that the military government would be replaced by wise laws based upon the American Constitution, and that commerce and agriculture which had been interrupted by the war would be re-established upon a firmer basis, they patiently awaited action on the part of the government at Washington.

They were not disappointed; Congress assembled and completely changed the political status of the island, and just laws took the place of government by force.

But perhaps the Puerto Ricans were too ambitious, or the American government, with inaccurate knowledge of our people, could not give due consideration to our desires. To our great surprise we found that while Spain, a monarchy, had never gone so far as to deny us the name of Spaniards, the United States, a federal republic and the most liberal of governments, refused to grant us the rights of citizenship.

The Foraker Bill provided for the island an Executive Council and a House of Delegates, containing thirty-five members, elected by the people. This house of delegates was accepted with enthusiasm by the Puerto Ricans. It is one of the most important measures that the bill contains, as by this house the old Spanish laws will be modified, revised and adapted to present conditions and the actual necessities of the people.

It is to be regretted that the Executive Council was not so well

conceived; this council is composed of eleven members, six of whom must be Americans and the other five Puerto Ricans. Thus it will be seen that the natives by no means control the administration of their affairs, for in case of any difference the six Americans will prevail over the five natives, though the latter are better acquainted with the customs and necessities of their fellow citizens.

It cannot be denied that the island has advanced greatly in material prosperity since American occupation. The educational system has undergone radical. changes. A Board has been provided which supervises the founding of schools and the improvement of those already established. This great work has received the well merited approbation of the natives who were desirous of a better system of education. Many schools are under the direction of American teachers who are not only introducing the English language, but are helping to replace

old Spanish methods by more modern educational ideals.

Although there has been a revival in business, agriculture and commerce are still suffering from the consequences of the war and the results of the violent tornado which swept the island a year ago. There are many who believe that one of the causes of the sluggish condition of commerce is the fifteen per cent tariff; but I refrain from giving my opinion in a matter which offers such varied points of view and which is being discussed by so many eminent men. I await their decision. We can only hope that Congress may soon grant us the rights of citizenship; that they may declare us a territory of the great Union, so that by our own efforts we may some day add another star to the flag which in so many struggles for liberty and right followed that great man who is first not only in the hearts of his countrymen. but in the hearts of the patriots of all lands.

He had corresponded for the "Examiner" in his sophomore year, and since had often written for some of the popular magazines, but never had a task seemed so difficult as the one that confronted him on a particular afternoon late in the fall. He had promised a college story for Blakelee's,-already it was due and not a word written. He had determined to write it that day, and the result with the afternoon far gone was a heap of crumpled papers on the desk. From the distance came the lusty college yell. The University was playing the best game of the year on South State Street. No wonder he couldn't write. Every sound distracted his attention, throwing his thoughts into a different channel. He experienced the helpless sensation which often comes to a man when attempting some work in which. his mind refuses to be interested. Suddenly he thought, "Why not see Marion." Anything was better than the helpless state of mind he was now in, and she would be sure to help him.

Marion had drawn her chair up to the woodfire blazing on the hearth and was thinking. The solitude, broken only by the crackling of the logs on the hearth, the half-misty twilight illumed by the dancing light of the fire, made it a moment fit for reverie. She was thinking, not of her college friends,not even of Jack, but of another, far away, where, she knew, not. Of another Jack, possibly different yet the samedifferent in state and wealth, but the same in heart and character, perhaps not better, but so unfortunate, poor, in trouble, perhaps, -and all her fault.

A knock on the door interrupted her. For a moment her surround

ings had been forgotten, she was with the other. Now, she remembered she was alone in the house. But it was only Jack.

"Why, Jack, I am glad to see you," she said, "make yourself comfortable. I think you know pretty well how to do that."

"If long experience has anything to do with it, I surely ought to," he answered. Jack was glad to find her alone. It allowed him far greater opportunities for getting the help he needed than if he had been compelled to bestow a part of his attention upon her

room-mate.

Marion was unusually quiet. While she was glad to see him, yet the hour she felt truly belonged to another; his light spirits. somewhat jarred on her thoughts. Jack did not notice it. He led the conversation through the usual channels, the result of the football game, the mid-term exams., the class elections,-very much. the same conversational stock in trade that is dealt out by the wise and foolish to the just and unjust in a college community.

"I want you to help me, Marion," he announced gravely, after exhausting these subjects of con

versation.

"Why, yes if I can, what is it?"

"I need a subject for a story," Jack continued, "need it badly too, it's due now and I've tried all afternoon to think of a plot, but it's no use, can't you help me, Marion?" She smiled.

"Wouldn't that be plagiarism?" she suggested.

"Well, of course," he answered, somewhat taken back, "I don't want to rob you, but it will be a great help to me." He was very earnest, quite different from his usual joking mood.

Marion's thoughts had wan