Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-05-10

mitteO consisting of the attorney gen.
eral and the auditor. referred both
committees to the secretary of the
interior, whose report, with letter
from Governor Post, and the written
statements of both committees, APP
pear this morning.
/ Have had one personal interview
with The committee representing the
house of delegates and suggested TO
IL that II the house of delegates would
pass the appropriation bills without
insisting upon the passage Of the
other bills by the executive council,
] would send n representative of the
government to Porto Rico TO make
an investigation and report in re-
gard TO the proposed appropriation"
Their answer, which the president
quotes. showed that the committee
was in a compromising mood. The
president, continuing. enumerates the
many advantages secured TO the peo-
pie OF Porto Rico under American
control, both educational and com
meroial and combats strenuously the
claim OF the representatives Of the
house OF delegates that they we're
subjected TO political oppression and
a much less liberal government than
under that Of SPAIN"
IL u idle" he says, TO compare
the political power OF the Porto Ri
cans under the royal decree OF 1897,
when their capacity to exercise IL
with benefit to themselves was never
in fact tested, 10 that which they
have under the Foraker act. The
question we have before us is wheth-
er their course since the addition OF
the Foraker act does not show the
necessity OF Withholding from them
the absolute power given by that act
10 the legislative assembly over APP
preparations when the house OF dele
gates, as a coordinate branch OF that
assembly, shows Itself anxious TO use
such absolute power not 10 support
and maintain the government. but TO
render II useless.
III the Porto Ricans desire
change In the form OF the Foraker
act, this II n matter for congressional
consideration dependent upon the eff
fort OF such cnange upon the real
progress In the island. Such n change
should be sought In an orderly way
and not be brought 10 the attention
OF congress by paralyzing the arm OF
the existing government. do not
doubt that the terms OF the existing
fundamental act might be improved.
certainly I'm qualifying some OF It's
provisions, as To the respective iuris-
diction OF the executive council and
the Legislative assembly and | sug-
gest 10 congress the wisdom OF sub
mltting to the appropriations commit !
tee this question OF revision. But no
action OF this kind should be begun |
until after, by special amendment OF
the Foraker act. the absolute power
OF appropriation is taken away from
those who have shown themselves too |
irresponsible 10 enjoy II. In the de-
sire OF certain OF their leaders for |
political power. Porto Ricans have |
forgotten the generosity OF the Unit
ed States In its dealings with them. /
The present development is only an
indication that we have gone some
what too fast In the execution OF
political power 20 them for their own
good.
THE change recommended may
not Immediately convince those oon-
trolling the house OF delegates OF the
mistake they have made In the ex-
tremity 10 which they have beqn |
willing 10 resort for political pur-
poses but In the long run Il will Sc
cure more careful aud responsible
exercise OF the power they nave
THAT In not the slightest evidence
that there has been on the part OF
the government or any member OF
the executive council disposition to
usurp authority or 90 withhold APP
a. -
the islands. or lack OF sympathy /
with the best aspirations OF the Porto
tlinau naanIa ~