The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-05-11
SHOULD HELP
PORTO RICANS
President Taft Sends a
Message.
CONGRESS IS ASKED 10 ACT
s-
loo Much Political Power Given
Island.
present sessis. sAs.sd A.ead De
Foraker Act Under wAicA the
Island d Governed, 10
cheek s1rresps.saslss.s

Taft today sent 10 Congrees -
special message recommending Leg
islation at ths present extra scs-
sion, amending the Foraker act under
which Porto Rico Ii governed.
The President directs the attention
of Congress to affairs in the island,
laying particular stress on what he
terms "a situatfon OF unusual gravity"
developed through the failure OF the
legislative assembly Of Porto Rico 70
pass the usual appropriation billssl
leaving the island without support at
ter June 80, next
Porto Ricans have forgotten the gem
crosby OF the United States. the Presk-
dent says, in the desire OF certain OF
the islands political leaders for power,
and he adds that the present situation
indicates that the United States has
gone too fast In the extension Of poiiti-i
cal power to the Porto Ricaus. He
concludes that the absolute power Of
appropriation should be taken away
from "those who have shown them
selves too irresponsible to enjoy It.
The President suggests to Congress
the wisdom of submitting to the Ap-l
preparation Committee the question Of
qualifying some Of the provisions Of
tive jurisdictions OF the executive
council and the Legislative assembly.
But no action OF this kind, the Presi-
dent says should be begun until the
Foraker act Is amended so that when
the legislative assembly shall adjourn
without making the appropriation nec-
esgary TO carry on the government,
sums equal to the appropriations made
in the previous year for the respective
purposes shall be available from the
current revenues. and shall be drawn
by the warrant of the auditor on the
treasury and countersigned by the
governor. Such q provision applies to-
legislatures OF the Philippines and
Hawaii and 1T has prevented In those
two countries any misuses Of the power
pf appropriation"
I. Reviews Geyernment,
The President reviews the establish
ment OF the present goverrment FOR
the Porto RlcanH by the Foraker
ss1seadmezik 8ays the substitute
aictating how the expenses ue tie Aevs
trnment are to be provided, ieAved
some doubt whether this function IL
not committed solely to the .exeeutive
council. but in practice the legislative
assembly has appropriated for all the
expenses other than for salaries fixed
BY Congress and the President adds,
1T Is too late to revive that construc-
ton"
The President says that since the In
house. of delegates has uniformly held
up the appropriation bills until the last
moment OF the regular session and has
sought TO use the power to do 80 as q
means Of compelling the concurrence
Of the executive council In Iegislation
which the house desired. In the last
regular legislative assembly, the atti-
tude of the executive council in refus-
Ing to pass bills led the house of dele
gates to refuse to pass the necessary
appropriation bills.
Mr.. Taft discusses the acts OF the
legislature and OF the council In de-
tail and says the facts recited demon
strate the willingness Of the represen-
tatives Of the people In the house OF
delegates to subvert the government In
order to secure the passage OF certain
legislation. 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 Legislative assembly. The house of
delegates, says the president. proposes
itself TO secure this legislation without
respect to the opposition Of the -execu-
tive 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-
lions on the island. its trade and its
wealth, Its improved educational facii-
tiles.
1t points out that there never was
time in the history Of the island when
the average prosperity Of the Porto
Rican has been higher, his opportuni-
ty greater. his liberty IN thought and
tacffon more secure. For the flrst time
An its history. Porto Rico he says .sis
ID
legislature"
The President points out that II the
Porto Ricans desire a ch6nRe In the
form OF the Foraker act this is a mat
.er of congressional consideration, de-
pendent upon the effects Of such
change on the real political progress
on the island. Such a change he says.
should be sought. in an orderly way
and not brought to the attention OF
Congress by ''paralyEing the arm Of
the existing government
rte President says that the fact OF
Porto Ricans forgetting the gem
..- of this government Should not
occasion for surprise. nor In
sa = with a whole people can II be
- he basis OF a charge OF ingrati-
message concludes:
n we with the consent Of the
IF Rerto Rico, assumed guard
over them and the guidance Of
stinies. we must have been
that a people that had en-
little opportunity for educa-
d not be expected safely for
to exercise the full power
vernment and the present
ut Is only an indication that
,ne somewhat too fast In Inc
.r If political power to them
Vn good.
age recommended may NOT
convince those controlline
delegates of the mistake
tade In the extremity 10
ave been willing 20 resort
purpose but In the long
cure more careful and re-
rcise of the power they
It the slightest evidence
been on the part OF the
any member of the ex-
disposition to usArp
withhold approval Of
as was for the best
lack of sympathy
plrations OF the Porto