The Washington times., 1909-05-10

Spctt 10 lne opposition OF the executive
council, or else TO pull down the whole
government
This spirit, which has been growing
from year TO year in Porto Rico, shows
that too great power has been vested
IN the house OF delegates and that its
members are not sufficiently alive TO
their oath-taken responsibility for the
maintenance OF the government, to
Justify Congress in further reprsing in
them absolute power to withhold APP
propriations necessary for the govern
For these reasons. I recommend an
amendment to the Foraker act provid
ing that whenever the legislative as
sembly shall adjourn without making
the appropriations necessary to carry
on the government, sums equal t. the
appropriations made In the previous
be available from the current revenues
and shall be drawn by the warrant OF
the auditor on the treasurer and cOun-
tersigned by the governor.
Provision Applies.
Such a provision applies TO the Legis-
latures of the Philippines and Hawaii.
and it has prevented in those two coun-
tries any misuse of the power of APP
preparation.
The house of delegates sent a commit
tee OF three to Washington, while the
execute council was represented by the
secretary. and a committee consisting
OF the attorney general and the audi
tor referred both committees to the
secretary of the Interior whose report
with a letter from Governor Post, and
the written statements of both commit
tees, accompany this message.
have had one personal interview with
the committee representing the house of
delegates, and suggested TO them that IL
the. house of delegates would pass the
appropriation bill without insisting upon
the passage Of the other bills by the ex-
ecuuve council. l would send a repre-
sentative OF the Government to Porto
Rico to make an investigation. and re-
port IN respect to the proposed legisla-
ton.
What Answer Is.
Their answer. which shows them not
to be in a compromising mood. was as
follows:
IF the legislative assembly OF Porto
Rico would be called TO an extraord-
nary session exclusively to pass an APP
preparation bill, taking into considera-
tion the state Of affairs down the island
and the high dissatisfaction produced BY
the intolersnt attitude of the executive
council. and also taking into considera-
ton the absolute resistance Of the house
10 do any act against its own dignity
and the dignity of the country, IL is the
opinion of these commissioners that no
agreement would be attained. unless the
council feel disposed to accept the
amendment of the house OF delegates.
however, IL In the proclamation call
Ing for an extraordinary session. the
judicial and municipal reforms could be
mentioned, and II the executive council
would accept that the present justices
Of the peace be abolished and municipal
judges created In every municipality,
and that vacancies occurring in mayor
sn-ps and judgeships be filed by the
municipal councils. as provided in the
so-called municipal bills passed by the
mouse in its last session. then the COM
missioners believe that the appropriation
bills will be passed in the house as in
PRODUCED In the council without delay
Is Favored Sister.
Porto Rico has been the favored
daughter of the United States The
sovereignty Of the island in 1899 passed
TO the United States with the full con-
sent of the people Of the island
Under the law all the customs and
internal-revenue taxes are turned into
the treasury of Porto Rico for the
maintenance OF the island government,
while the United States pays out Of
It's own treasury the cost Of the local
army. that is. a full Porto Rican regf-
ment, the revenue vessels. the light
house service, the coast surveys. the
harbor improvements. the marine hos
pital support. the postonice deficit, the
weather bureau, and the upkeep OF the
agricultural experiment stations.
Very soon after the change Of SOW
efeignty, cyclone destroyed a large
part Of Porto Rican coffee culture:
100000 was expended from the United
States Treasury 10 buy rations for
those left I'm distress The island Is
policed by 700 men and complete tran
Quiility reigns.
Before the American control 81 per
cent of the Porto Ricans were unable
10 read or write, and there was not In
this island. containing a million people.
a single building constructed for public
instruction, while the enrolment Of
pupils IN such schools as there were,
551 In number, was but 1900 Today
in the island there are 100 such build
ings and the enrolment OF pupils in
ZOO schools has reached the number OF
5000
The year before American sovereign
" there was expended So 000 in gold
for public education Under the pres
ent government there is expended for
this purpose a total OF a million dol
lars a year.
Many Miles of Road.
When the Americans took control
there were III miles OF macadamized
road. Since then there have been con-
structed 452 miles more. mostly in the
mountains. making in all now a total
OF ga miles Of finely planned and adj
mirably constructed macadamized roads
As good roads as there are in the
In the course Of the administration OF
this island, the United States medical
authorities discovered a disease Of trop-
ical snaeTnia which was epidemic and
was produced by a micro1e called ths
hook worn" II so much impaired the
energy OF those who suffered from II
and so often led to complete prostra-
ton and death. that II became neces
sary 10 undertake It's cure by wide
spresd governmental effort
] Em glad 10 say that 225,O0O natives
or one-fourth OF the entire population
have been treated at government ex.
pense, and the effect has been much Z,
reduce the extent and severity OF tn,
disease, and TO bring II under control
Substantially every person In the island
has been vaccinated and smallpox hai
practically disappeared.
There is complete free trade between
Porto Rico and the United States anS
all customs duties collected IN IN,
United States on Porto Rican product
subsequent 10 the date OF Spanish evac
uation, amounting to nearly three mil
MOTT nDUCG