The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-05-10

Washington, May 10-For the want
of a quorum, the house took no action
on the Presidents message recon-
menJing remedial legislation FOR the
Island of Porto Rico, Speaker Cannon
fought TO nave the message referred
to the committee On ways and means,
but an objection by Mr.. Garrett of
Tennessee. who wants it sent to the
committee on insular affairs. which
has not been appointed, opened UP the
whole subject of the house rules.
There being no such committee, Speak
er Cannon said that In suggesting the
present condition of the house, only
four committees had been appointed,
of which the committee on insular az
fairs was not one.
A long argument ensued over the
right of the speaker to avoid the rules,
and ended with a motion by Mr.. Gar
rett that the speaker be directed
forthwith to appoint a committee on
insular affairs 10 consider the mes
sage
The vote disclosed but 165 members
present, far short OF a quorum, where
upon Mr. Payne moved an adjourn
ment, remarking as he did so, that he
hoped a quorum would be present
when the house met next time. Tho
house then adjourned with the Presi-
dents message still on the speakers
table.
In the senate 1t was referred with
out discussion to the committee on
Porto Rico.
Washington May S-President Taft
today sent to congress a special mes
sage recommending legislation at the
president extra session, amending the
Foraker act under which Porto Rico Is
governed. The President directs the
attention OF congress to affairs on the
island, laying particular stress on what
he terms a situation cS unusual gray
ity," developed hrough the faiitre Of
the legislative assembly of Porto Rico
to pass the usual appropriation bills.
leaving the island without support
after June 50, next,
Porto RIcsns have forgotten the gen.
erosity of the United States, the Pres
ident says, in the desire of certain OF
the islands political leaders for pow
er. and he adds that the present situa-
ton indicates that the United States
has gone too fast in the extension OF
political power to the Porto Ricans.
He concludes that the absolute power
of appropriation should be taken away
from those who have shown them
selves too irresponsible to enjoy H.
The President suggests to congress
the wisdom of submitting to the ap-
preparation committee the question oil
qualifying some of the provisions OF
the fundamental act as to the respect
i've jurisdiction of the executive coun-
Gil and the legislative assembly, But
no action of this kind, the President
saws should be begun until the Fora
ker act is amended so that when the
legislative assembly shall adjourn
without making the legislative appro-
priation5 necessary 10 carry on the
government. sums equal TO the appro-
priations made In the previous year
for the respective purposes shall be
available for the current revenue and
shall be drawn by the warrant OF the
auditor on the treasurer and counter
signed by the governor Such proyis-
ion applies to the legislators CT the
Philippines and Hawaii and "it has
prevented in those two countries any
misuse OF the power Of appropriation
The President reviews the establish
ment CT the present government for
Porto Rico by the Foraker act. He
saws the statute directing how the eX-
pcnses of the government are to be
provided leaves some doubt whether
this junction is not committed solely
TO the executive council but In prac-
tice the legislative assembly has ap-
propriated for all the expenses other
than for salaries fixed by congress and
the President adds, 1T Is too late TO
reverse that construction"
The President says that, ever since
the institution of the present assem-
bly,, the house of delegates has uni
formly held up the appropriation bill
until the last minute of the session
and has sought to use the power to
do so as a means of compelling the
concurrence OF the executive council
In legislation which the house desired.
In the last legislative assembly the
attitude of the executive council In
refusing to pass bills led the house
of delegates TO refuse 10 pass the nee
essary appropriations bills.
Mt Taft discussed tnat act
VI lue IGBl5Idiul0 anu VI eA'@
council in detail and says the
facts Fecited demonstrate the
willingness of the representatives of
the people in the house OF delegates
to subvert the government In order
to secure the passage of certain legis-
lation. The question whether the pro-
posed legislation should be enacted in-
to law was left by the fundamental act
TO the joint action of the executive
council and the house of delegates as
the legislative assembly.
The house Of delegates, says tue
president. proposes itself TO secure this
Legislation without respect to the oppo-
sition 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 presents an
executive economic review of condi-
tions on the islands, its trade and Its
wealth, its educational facilities.
1t presents that never was time
in the history OF the is!anG when the
average prosperity CT the Porto Ric-