The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-19

President Mckinley sent to Congress
Yesterday message recommending tha
passage of a joint resolution which per-
mits officers of the Army now occupying
civil positions in Porto Rico to continue in
the performance of those duties until the
officials who are to perform similar duties
under the new government shall have been
appointed and qualified. The Presidents
message follows:
''TC the Senate and House of Repre-
septatiyes:
THE time remaining before the 1st
of May. when the act of April u, en-
titled An act temporarily to provide
revenues and a civil government for
Porto Rico. and for other purposes
will take effect appears to be INSULT
cient for the careful enquiry and con-
sideration requisite to the proper Sc
lection OF suitable persons to fill the
important civil Offices provided for by
the act. The powers of the present
government will cease when the act
takes effect, and some new authority
Will be necessary to enable the officers
now performing the various duties or
civil government in the island to con-
tinue the performance of those duties
until the officers who are to perform
similar duties under the new govern
ment shall have been appointed and
qualified. That authority cannot nor
will be given at present by temporary
appointments of the existing officers
to positions under the act, for the reason
that many of the existing officers are
officers of the Army. detailed to the
performance of civil duties. and sec
tion 1922 OF the Revised Statutes
would prevent them from accepting
such temporary appointments under the
penalty OF losing their commissions.
The selection of the new officers and
the organization of the new govern
ment, under the act referred to, will be
accomplished with all practicable
speed, but in order that 1t may be
properly accomplished / recommend
the passage of a joint resolution to
obviate the difficulty above stated.
WILLIAM MKINLEY."
Senator Foraker subsequently introduced
a joint resolution to carry into effect the
Presidents recommendation. 1t permits
the Army officers now performing civil
duties in Porto Rico to hold office until
August l next, without losing their com
missions.
similar resolution will probably be Of
fered in the House today. The understand
ing is that the resolution will be agreed
to with the least possible delay.
A draft of the resolution offered by
Senator Foraker was submitted to Presi-
dent Mckinley by Secretary Root yester-
day. Speaker Henderson was in confer
ence with the President for an hou'.
During the day, and before the message
had been sent to Congress, Senator Davis
said: II do not see any necessity
of enacting additional Porto Rican legis-
lation. There is always a quasi-in-
terregnum in such cases as this in Porto
Rico where the military authorities are
giving place to civil officers. Under such
circumstances little latitude is inevita-
Bile. No. do not see why Congress should
be called on to pass any laws to cover that
point"
Representative John A. Mcdowell, of
Ohio, who called on the President
before the message was sent. said: Il
&c not think that the new Porto Rican
government can prove success. There
will be a double-headed authority, with
the civil governor and the military
commander each claiming power. Should
the natives consent to the new or
Ter OF things Governor Allen may get along
but a rebellion would put the
Army officers in the saddle. Besides that
No, have not heard much discussion as to
snacting additional Legislation for carrying
,ut the Porto Rican law. l do not think
any such additional laws will be put
hrough.''