The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-05-11
Taft Sends Special Message
to Congress
FINDS GRAVE SITUATION
Politicians There Are Too Anxious foi
Would Amend Foraker
Law; United States Too
Liberal.


Washington, May President Taft
YESTERDAY sent to Congress special
mes sage recommending legislation AZ
the present extra session amending the
Foraker act under which Porto Rico is
governed, The President directs the at
tention Of Congress to affairs on the
island, laying particular STRESS on what
he terms "a situation 81 unusual gray
liiyn developed through the failure 81
the legislature Assembly Of Porto Rico
to pass the usual appropriation bills,
leaving the island without support af-
ter June 30 next, Porto Rinans have
forgotten the generosity Of the United
States the President says. in the de-.
sire Of certain OF the islands political
leaders for power, and be adde that the
present situation indicates that the
United States has gone too fast in the
extension of political power to the
Porto Ricans. He concludes that the alb
solute power Of appropriation should
be taken away from those who have
shown themselves too irresponsible 20
enjoy it,
The President suggests to Congress
the wisdom Of submitting to the APP
preparation committees the question of
qualifying some Of the provisions Of
the Fundamental Act az 10 the respect
i've jurisdictions OF the Executive conn
eli and The Legislative Assembly. But
no action Of this kind, the President
says. should be begun until the Foraker
Act be amended 10 that when the leg
islatiee Assembly shall adjourn with
out making the appropriation necessary
to carry on the Government sums equal
10 the appropriations made in the prev
ious wear for the respective purposes
shall be available for the current rev
enuess aud shall Be drawn BIZ the war
rant If the auditor 81 The treasurer and
oountersigned BY the governor, Such
provision applies to the Legislatures Of
the Philippines and Hawaii, and at has
prevented in those two countries any
misuse Of the power Of appropriation.
The message presents an exhaust
i've economic review Of conditions on
the island, its trade and rs wealth, its
improved educational facilities Il points
out that -therc never was = time IN
the history Of the island when the ay-
efage prosperity Of the Porto Rican has
been higher, his opportunity greater,
his liberty IN thought and action more
secure For the first time in It's his
tory. Porto Rico, be says, Is living IN
der laws enacted BIZ its own Legislat
ure
The President points ont that If the
Porto Ricans desire change IN the
form 81 the Foraker act this n mat
ter Of congressional consideration, de-
pendent on the effect Of such change
on real political progress on the island (
such 4 change. BE SAYS, should be
sought, in On orderly way and not
brought to the attention of Congress
BY "paralyzing the arm of the exist
ing Government
The message concludes:
@When we, with consent Of the peo-
pie OF Porto Rico. assumed guardian
ship over them and the guidance Of K
their desfinies we must have been con.
scious that people that eioyed 50 lit 4
tie opportunity for edGeation 10 exer.
else the full power Of self-goyernment, 4
and the present development 10 only An
Indication that We have gone somewhat
too fast in the extension Of political I
power to tlent for their own good The
change recommended may not immed
lately convince those controlling the
House Of Delegates Of the mistake they
have made ii the extremity to which
they have been willing to resort for pol
tieal purposes but in che long run Il
sill secure more careful and responsible
exercise 81 the power they have. There
s not the slightest evidence that there
has been on the part 81 the governor or
If any member III the Executive Coun
ii disposition to usitrp authority or
10 withhold approval Of such legislation
Is was for the best interests II the IT.
and or a lack of sympathy with the
best aspirations Of the Porto Rican peo-
pie.
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