Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-11

Foraker act is amended so that the execu- ,
tive assembly shall adjourn without MAX
ing the appropriation necessary to carry
on the government, sums equal to the APP
propriations made in the previous year for
the respective 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 a provision applies to the
legislatures of the Philippines and Hawaii,
and ut has prevented in those two coun-
tries any misuse of the power of appro-
priation."
House Swings n Club.
The president reviews the establishment
of the present government for Porto Rico
by the Foraker act. He says the statue d-
recting how the expenses Of the govern
ment are to be provided leaves some doubt
whether this function is not committed
solely to the executive council, but in
practice the legislative assembly has APP
propriated for ali the expenses other than
for salaries fixed by congress and the
president adds, "t is too late to reverse
that construction" Ever since the insti-
tuition of the present assembly the house
of delegates has held up the appropriation
bills until the last minute of the regular
~@Nf oHN "S sohbhA " - Nv pOWcI
to do so as a means of compelling the con-
currence Of the executive council in legis-
lation which the house desired. In the last
regular legislative assembly the attitude
of the executive council in refusing to
pass bills led the house OF delegates to
refuse to pass the necessary appropriation
bills.
Mr.. Taft dis cusses the acts of the leEis-
lature and the council in detail and SAYS
the facts demonstrate the Willingness of
the representatives of the people in the
house. of delegates to subvert the govern
ment in order to secure the passage of GER
tain legislation. The question whether the
proposed legislation should be enacted into
law was left by the Fundamental act TO
the joint action of the executive council
and the house of delegates as the legisla-
tive assembly. The house OF delegates
proposes itself to secure this legislation
without respect to 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.
Porto RicR II Prosperous.
The message places an exhaustive, eco
nomic review Of conditions on the island, its
trade and its wealth, it's improved educa-
tional facilities. 1t points out that there
never was a time in the history of the
island when the average prosperity of the
Porto Rican has been higher, his oppor-
tunity greater. his liberty in thought and
action more secure" For the first time
in its history, Porto Rico is living under
laws enacted by its own legislature.
If the Porto Ricans desire a change in
the form OF the Foraker act, this Is a
matter of congressional consideration de-
pendent upon the effect of such a change
on the real political progress on the island.
Such a change cannot be sought in an or
derby way and brought to the attention
OF congress by ''paralyzing the arm of the
government" The fact Of the Porto Ricans
forgetting the generosity of this government
Should not be an occasion for surprise,
nor in dealing with a whole people can It
be made the basis OF a change OF ingratl-
tude."
Too Fast for Nation.
The message concludes: when we. with
the consent of the people of Porto Rico
assumed guardianship over them and the
guidance Of their destinies, We must have
been conscious that a people that had en-
joyed so little opportunity for education
could not be expected safely for themselves
to exercise the full power of self-govern-
ment and the present development is only
an indication that we have gone somewhat
too fast in the extension of political power
TO them for their own good. The change
recommended may not Immediately con-
vince those controlling the house OF dele
gates of the mistake they have made in the
extremity to which they have been willing
to resort for political purposes. but in. the
long run II will secure more careful ana
responsible exercise of the power they
have.
There is not the slightest evidence that
there has been pn the part OF the govern
ment or any member OF the executive
council a disposition to usurp authority or
to withhold approval OF such legislation as
was for the best interests OF the island or
a lack Of sympathy with the best aspIra-
lions Of the Porto Rican people"
No Action In House.
For the want of a quorum the house