The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-01
ONE SIDE0F PORTORICO'SW WOE
ROOT or THE. TROUBLE FROM
THE ISLANDERS VIEW POINT.

THE ISLANDERS VIEW POINT.
Statement OF Commissioner Sent TO
Washington 70 Present, the Views OF
the unionists-say They Have Less
Freedom Than Under spanish Rule.
l.. NJ. Rivera and G. C. Cusli. members
Of the commission from the Porto Rican
House OF Delegates who were sen to
this country to thresh out in Washington
the differences existing in Porto Rico
between the lower house and the upper
house. called the Council. which Is dom
mated by the American officials. will sail
for Porto Rico at noon to-day on the
Coamo. They are leaving, as they say.
in a apessimistio mood" "a to the result
OF their visit.
They believe they have accomplished
something to end the deadlock down there.
because President Taft viii probably send
a message to Congress next week urging
Congress to take immediate action to
amend the Foraker act. under which Porto
Rioo Is governed. They also say that
Secretary Ballinger understands the sit
uation thoroughly. They further declare
that II they do not get what they want
it will be because official American pride
as represented by the Council will be in
voked to prevent it.
The crisis in Porto Rico arises from the
fact that the Legislature down there has
adjourned without making any appro-
priations for the year beginning on July i.
The Foraker act does not provide that
In case Of a deadlock the appropriations
Of the previous year shall obtain. This
is the custom in most Governments. and
it exists in the Philippines and in Hawaii.
Unless Congress comes to the rescue and
amends the Foraker act so that last years
appropriations shall continue Porto Rico
will be without money OF any kind to run
the Government on July 1. The COM
m~issioners believe that President Taft
will recommend such a change. That
is the only immediate result they expect
of their visit.
Mr.. Cusli, speaking for the commits
sion. said yesterday that Porto Rican
affairs. however, would have to be fought
Il am sure that the American people
will be surprised to know that We have
less self-government actually under Amer
lean rule than we had in the Spanish days.
1t is a fact. We must have more self
government. That is intolerable to Amer
lean ideas. Our lower house ia composed
Of thirty-fve members. all Of the Union
list party. They are determined not to
yield in their present contention TO get
more home rule. What we really want
is to have the upper. house, or Council
an elective body. and we also want TO
elect the Mayors Of our ffty-six munich
palities and also our municipal Judges
The Porto Ricans complain because
the Council. which consists of six Amer
leans and five Porto Ricans, appointed
by the President. Is dominated by the
Americans. who combine executive and
legislative duties. The members Of the
Cabinet. all Americans, are also members
Of the Council. Appropriation bills. con-
trary to the usual custom, originate in
the upper house. The lower house has
desired TO make a change. The Council
has refused to assent and hence the a
lock.
The deadlock arose this year from the
fact that the House made a cut in the
budget OF 500 600 in salaries. The House
members say that Gov. Post urged econ
omy because there is a deficit Of 81, 1000 900
in the island treasury. The House took
down salaries. This cut. he declares.
was e5 per cent. Porto Rican and 5 per
cent. American. The House also de-
sired to increase the appropriation for
schools and improved roads. Neither
house would Yield and both houses sent
delegations to see the Washington authori-
CATION consisted OF William Willoughby.
Secretary OF State; William Hoyt,. At
torney- General. and Cabot Ward. Auditor
Both delegations arrived on the same
steamer andl they'll have met the Presi-
dent and have had two meetings with
Secretary Ballinger.
The House delegation says the native
members Of the Council sided with them.
SO that the upper house was divided six
to five on the matter. As a result OF h
controversy the House commission has
presented a memorial to Congress which
says at the outset:
Either the great principles adopted by the
Revolution In Philadelphia and Paris
I'LL and l7s9-upheld by the most illustrious
thinkers and statesmen OF Europe and
America. and universally acknowledged.
are false and untrue. or it is a fact that one
million souls are living in Porto Rico in an
unbearahle state of tyranny unde r the folds
of the American flag.
Later in tue appeal the commissioners
Say: -
Porto Rico would be satisfied with an
COuHcli, eltuei uIfe't iioh 'ho
people or by primaries. according TO your
judgment and ideas, and that the chiefs OF
the executive departments would be ap-
pointed by the Governor. with the advice
and consent Of the Council. reserving TO the
the power OF granting franchises
and concessions.
The people in Porto Rico nov eleotth he
Mayors. These. however. may be re-
moved at once by the Governor for any
cause he deems sufficient. Tit delegates
say they want that stopped; that they
want to elect Vice-Mayorsi TO succeed in
case of death; that they want to choose
their own municipal Judges; that they |
want the Council made elective; that they
would like to have appropriation bills
that they want more home rule and the
kind OF iome rule that obtains in other
OF the United States.
To the assertion that they are political
agitators Mr.. Cusli said yesterday at the
Hoffman House that MIR. Rivera, the chair
of the delegation, is chairman OF the
Ways and Means Committee OF the House
OF Delegates and represents the Porto
Rican Sugar Cane Association, with no less
than SlOO, O00. 900 capital.
we want to have something to say
about the spending OF u W money
said Mr.. Cusli. and We don't think an
appeal 70 American administrative pride.
unjust appeal it is. should stand in
the way OF it.. Our Unionists will not
yield. We standfor American ideas in
this matter. We think that as soon as
the American people realize II they will
to have the Foraker act so amended that
ran carrv on fhe poyernment for the |