The Washington herald., 1909-05-11

yesterday President Taft recommended
legislation at the present extra session
10 relieve a grave situation that has
arisen in the affairs OF Porto Rico.
The President .sked Congress TO so
amend the Forake. act uzder which
Porto Rico is now governed 10 meet "a
situation Of unusual gravity" due TO ths
fact that the Legislative assembly Of
Porto Rico failed to pass the necessary
appropriations 10 meet public expendi-
lures. the effect Of which viii be to leave
the island without financial support at
the close Of the present fiscal year.
Uses Strong Language.
The President dealt witE the situation
in vigorous language and declared that
the Porto Ricans had forgotten the debt
Of gratitude they owed to the United
States for their liberty.
Mr.. Taft charged that the political lead
ers in Porto Rico have shown a dIspo-
sition to put their personal ambitions
above patriotism.
he recommends the taking away from
them Of the power Of appropriating
money charging that they are too ire
sponsible TO enjoy It."
The President recommends TO Congress
the question Of submitting 20 the appro-
priation committees the matter Of quail
flying the fundamental act as TO the re-
spective jurisdictions Of the executive
council and the legislative assembly.
But first OF all he suggests the advis-
ability Of amending the Foraker act 10
permit the payment Of the expenses nee
essary 10 carry on the government from
the current revenues on warrants drawn
By the auditor and countersigned by the
governor, whenever Fl shall occur that
the Porto Ricaa assembly fails 70 make
the necessary provision 70 meet such pub
lie demands The plan proposed by the
President IS such as IS now in effect in
the PHILIPPINES and in Hawaii
Review of Government.
The President reviews the establish
ment Of the present government for Porto
Rico by the Foraker act. He says the
statute directing how the expenses OF
tae government are to be provided leaves
some doubt whether this function is not
committed solely 70 the executive cOUn-
ell; but in practice the legislative assem-
bly has appropriated for all expenses
other than for salaries fixed by Con
gress-and. the President adds. 1t IS
too late TO reverse that construction.
The President says that ever since the
institution Of the present assembly the
house OF delegates has uniformly held up
the appropriation bills until the last min
ute o. the regular session, and has souEht
20 use the power 10 90 so as 4 means OF
/ compelling the concurrence Of the execu-
tive council IN legislation which the house
desired. In the last regular legislative as
sembly the attitude Of the executive
council in refusing 20 pass bills led the
house OF delegates to refuse 10 pass the
necessary appropriation bills.
Power Too Great.
The question whether the proposed leg
/ islation should be enacted was left by
the fundamental act TO the joint action
OF the executive council and the house
Of delegates as the legislative assembly
I The house OF delegates, says the Presi-
/ dent, proposes itself 70 secure thisIegis-
lation without respect 10 the opposition
Of the executive council. ''or else TO pull
down the government" This growing
/ spirit shows that TOO great power has
/ been vested IN the delegates.
/ The message concludes
; When we with the consent OF the peo-
! pie Of Porto Rico, assumed guardianship
over them and the guidance Of their des-
TIMES. We must have been conscious that
/ a people that enjoyed so little opportunity
/ for education could not be expected safely
/ for themselves TO exercise the full power
+ Of government; and the present de-
/ velopment is only an indication that We
/ have gone somewhat too fast in the ex-
tension Of political power TO them for
their own good
I The change recommended may not I'M
( mediately convince those controlling the
+ house of delegates OF the mistake they
( have made in the extremity to which they
I have been willing to resort for political
( purposes: but in the long run il viii Sc
I cure more careful and responsible exer-
/ else Of the power they have"
/ In the Senate the message was referred
/ without discussion to the Committee on
{ Porto Rico.