Evening star., 1909-05-10

President Taft today sent to Congress
q special message. recommending legis-
lation at the present extra session amend
ing the Epraker act. under which Porto
Rico IL governed. The President d.
rects the attention of Congress to af-
fairs on the island. laying particular
stress upon what he terms "a situation of
unusual gravity developed through the
failure OF the legislative assembly of
Porto Rico to pass the usual appropria-
port after June next.
Porto Ricans have forgotten the gen.
erosity Of the United States, the Pres
ident says. in the desire Of certain OF
and he adds that the present situation
demonstrates that the United States has
gone too fast in the extension Of politi-
cal power to the Porto Ricans. He con-
ciudes that the absolute power Of ap-
preparation should be taken away from
those who have shown themselves too
irresponsible to enjoy it,
The President suggests to Congress the
wisdom of submitting to the appropria-
tion comittees the question Of qualify
ing some Of the provisions of the funda-
mental act as to the respective jursdc-
tions Of the executive council and legis-
lative assembly. But no action of this
kind. the President says, should be be-
gun until the Foraker act be amended SO
that when the legislative assembly shall
adjourn without making the apropria-
tion necessary to carry on the govern
ment sums equal to the appropriation
made In the previous year for the re-
spective purposes shall be available from
the current revenues, and shall be drawn
by the warrant of the auditor on the
treasury and countersigned by the gov
ernor. Such a provision applies to the
legislatures OF the Philippines and Ha-
vail, and 1t has prevented. In those two
countries. and misuse OF the power of
appropriation. said the President.
The Message In Full.
The message IN fun follows:
ITO the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
AN emergency has arisen in Porto
Rico which makes 1t necessary for me to
invite the attention of the Congress to
the affairs OF that island and to recon-
mend legislation at the present extra ses-
sion amending the act under which the
island Is governed.
The regular session OF the legislative
assembly OF Porto Rico adjourned March
III last without passing the usual appro-
priation bills. special session of the
assembly was at once convened by the
governor. but. after three days. on March
18 II again adjourned without making the
appropriations. This leaves the island
government without provision for its sup-
port OTTER June 30 next. The situation
Presented is therefore of unusual gravity
The present government of Porto Rico
was established by what is known as the
Foraker act. passed April u, 1890, and
taking effect May ]. 1900. Under that act
the chief executive is governor an
pointed by the President and confirmed by
the Senate. A secretary. attorney gen
erai. treasurer, auditor. commissioner OF
the interior and commissioner OF educa
tion, together with five other appointees
OF the President. constitute the executive
council. The executive council must have
in its membership not less than FIVE native
Porto Ricans. The legislative power is
vested in the legislative assembly which
has two coordinate branches. The first
Of these is the executive council just de-
scribed and the second Is the house OF
delegates. a popular and representative
body, with members elected by the quail.
fed electors Of the seven districts into
which the island is divided.
Too Late for Reversal.
The statute directing how the ex.
pensee of government are to be pro-
vided leaves some doubt whether this
function Is not committed solely to the
executive council. but in practice the
legislative assembly has made appro-
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