The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-05-13
DEMOCRATS FIGHT
PRESIDENTS PLAN
Prevent Reference Of Message to
House Committee.
is n :; 4 e. 81
PORTO RlcoSlS IN DANGER
Taft Asks Legislation by Extra SEES
|, sion to Amend the Foraker Act
Under Which Island Is
Sa.s.,,f, 1, Governed. 80

Washington, May 1L--Strenuous op
position by the Democrats In the
house prevented the reference of the
presidents message recommending
certain legislation for Porto Rico to
the committee on ways and means.
A motion by Mr.. Garrett of Tennes.
see directing the speaker to forthwith
| appoint the committee on insular af.
fairs, asked by the president. which,
under ordinary procedure. would have
charge of the subject, disclosed the
fast that quorum was not present
Consequently the message win lie on
the speakers table until the house
meets on Thursday.
In opposing the appointment of the
insular affairs committee the Repub-
lican leaders indicated their ipten.
ton of adhering to- the policy of per-
Knitting no Legislation at the present
session, but that which they, deem
urgent or which the president recon-
mends. The introduction and, consid-
Grafton of a, Porto Rican bill win not
necessarily affect the program of the
leaders as it does not open up any
new channels to members who desire
to have other legislation considered at
this time. ../ .uu|t .a.sd. H..
L 1t is believed that the house will
pass the Porto, Rican bill while wait
ing on the senate's action on the tariff
bill and senators say that they see no
objection to its consideration by the
senate after it disposes of the tariff.
There is no disposition in either body
to enter upon a program of federal
legislation during the present extra
session.
Porto Rico in Peril.
Mr.. Taft recommended legislation at
the present extra session. amending
the Foraker act under which Porto
Rico is governed. The president di.
reefs the attention of congress to at
fairs on the island, laying particular
stress on what he terms "a situation
OF unusual gravity developed through
the failure OF the legislative assembly
preparation bills, leaving the island
without support until June 80 next.
Porto Ricans have forgotten the
generosity OF the United States. the
president says, in the, desire of certain
of the Islands political leaders for
power. and he adds that the present
situation indicates that the. United
States has gone too fast in the ex.
tension OF political power to the Porto
Ricans. He concludes that the abso.
lutte power Of appropriation should be
taken away from those who have
shown themselves too irresponsible to
enjoy it." -.. 81.
The president suggests to congress
the wisdom OF submitting to the ap-
preparation committees the question
OF qualifying some of the provisions or
the fundamental act to the respec.
tive jurisdictions of the executive
council and the legislative assembly.
Must Amend Foraker Act.
But no action OF this kind. the pres
ident says. should be begun until the
Foraker act is amended so that when
the legislative assembly shall adjourn
WIluOuL mdhluS Inc appropriation
necessary to carry on. the government,
sums equal to the appropriations made
in the previous year for the respec,.
tive purposes shall be available for the
current revenues. and shall be drawn
by the warrant of the auditor on the
treasurer and countersigned by the
governor. Such provision applies to
the legislatures OF the Philippines and
Hawaii. and lit mas prevented in those
two countries any misuse of the pow
er OF appropriation" T, @3"i'
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 the government are to
be provided leaves some doubt wheth.
er this junction is not committed
solely to the executive council. but
In practice the legislative assembly
has appropriated for all the expenses
other than for salaries fixed by con-
gress. and the president adds lit is
too late to reverse that construc.
ton"