The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-10
WENT TOO FAST.
PRESIDENT Taft in Special Mes.
sage to Congress
Calls Attention to Affairs of
Porto Rico.
MISTAKE WAS MADE
In Giving Too Much Power to
House of Delegates.
That Body Has Refused to Make
Needed Appropriations.

washington, May 10-President Taft
To-Day sent to congress a special mes
sage recommending legislation at the
present extra session amending the
foraker act under which Porto Rico
ls governed. The president directs the
attention of congress to affairs on tha
island laying particular stress on What
ne terms "A situation of unusual erav-
lty, developed through the failure oe
the legislative assembly of Porto Rico
TO pass the usual appropriation hills
leaving the island without support af-
ter June 80, next
Porto Rfcans have forgotten the een
eroslty of the United States, the presi-
dent says in the desire of certaf, ~
the island political leaders for mower
and he adds that the present situation
indicates that the United States has
gone too far in the extension of politi-
cal power to the Porto Rjcaus He
concludes that the absolute mower of
appropriation should be taken away
from those who have shown them
serves too irresponsible to enjoy it,
Suggests Remedy
Ihe president suggests to congress-
the wisdom of submitting to the appro-
prlatlon committees the question OF
quahtying some of the provisions of
the fundamental act as to the respec-
tive jurisdiction of the executive coun-
Gil, and the legislative assembly But
no action of this kind. the president
says should be begun until the Foraker
act is amended so that when the Leg
lSlatlVe- assembly shall adjourn with.
out making the appropriation necas-
sary to carry on the government sums
equal to the appropriation made in the
previous year for the respective pur-
poses shall be available for the cur
rent revenues and shall be drawn by
the warrant of the auditor of the treas
ury and countersigned by the govern
nent- Such provision applies to the
IF he
wall and 1T prevents in those two
countries any misuse of the power of
appropriation.
The president reviews the establish
ment OF the present government for
Porto Rico by the Foraker act
The president says that ever since
the institution of the present assembly
the house of delegates has uniformly
held up the appropriation bills until the
last minute of the regular session and s
has sought to use the power to do so
as a means of compelling the concur
renee OF the executive council in legisa-
ton which the house desired In the
last regular legislative assembly the
attitude of the executive council in re-
fusing to, pass bills led the house of
delegates to refuse to pass the neces-
sary appropriation bills Mr.. Taft dis
cusses the act of Legislature and Of the
council in detail and says the facts re-
cited demonstrate the Willingness of the
REPRESENTATIVES of the people in the
ernment in order to secure the passage
of certain legislation.
Too Much Power.
The question whether the proposed
legislation should be enacted into law
was left by the fundamental act TO the
joint action of the executive council
and the house of delegates as the leg.
islative assembly. The house of dele
gates says the president proposes it.
self to secure this legislation without
respect to the opposition of the ex-
ecutive council 'or else to pull down
the government"
This growing spirit shows that too
great power has been vested in the
delegates. The message presents an
exhaustive economic review of condi-
tions on the island, its trade. its wealth
and its improved education facilities
1t points out that there never was
a time in the history of the island when
the average prosperity of the Porto
Rican has been higher, his opportunity
greater, liberty in thought and action
more secure"
For the first time in its history Porto
Rico he says is living under laws en-
acted by its own legislature.
Action on the Message.
For the want of a quorum the housa
took no action on the presidents nles-
sage. Speaker Cannon sought to have
the message referred to the commits
tee on ways and means but an objec-
tion by Mr.. Garrett of Tennessee, who
WdnlcQ IL sent " tIlc On III
sular affairs, which has not been ap-
pointed, opened up the whole subject
of the house rules. There being mo-
such committee. Speaker Cannon said
that in suggesting the reference he
did he had in mind the present con-
dition of the house only four commit
tees having been appointed, of which
the committee on insular affairs was
not one A long argument ersued
| over the right Of the speaker to over
ride the rules and ended with mo-
| tion by Mr. Garrett that the speaker
| be directed forthwith 70 appoint a
/ committee on insular affairs to con-
slider the message"
| The vote disclosed but 165 MEM
| bers present, far short of quorum,
whereupen Mr.. Payne moved an ad-
! journment, reInarking as he did s6.
| that he hoped a quorum would be
| present when the house met next
| time The house then adjourned with
the presidents message still on ths
| speakers table.
! In the senate the message was re-
| ferred without discussion to the COM
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