The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-03-02
PORTO RICAN
PROBE ASKED
OF CONGRESS
Delegate Demands Congress
sional Investigation Of Acts
and Conduct of Gov. E.
Mont Rely.
INSULTS ARE CLAIMED
(By Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, March demand
for congressional investigation of
the acts and conduct of Governor F..
Mont Reilly of Porto Rico, looking to
his removal from office was made in
the house today by Delegate Felix Cor
dova Dayila. resident commissioner OF
Porto Rico.
Declaring the people he represented
asked that this step be taken "on1y
after the Harding administration was
given free opportunity to act" Mr.
Davila, who Is member of the Uniol-
ist party of the island, expressed the
belief that If Governor Reilly should be
called as a witness before an investi
eating committee, ''he himself, will be
the best evidence of the justice of our
demand for his removal"
Preceding a long series Of charges
against the governor, Mr. Davis told
the house that while he believed Pres
ident Harding had made mistake in
appointing him, he knew "the presi-
dent was imposed upon," and there
! fore the appointment was not made
| knowingly or with the least malice
toward the people of Porto Rico" He
added, however, that 1--WE have ex-
| hausted all our means to obtain the
removal of the governor by the admin
! istration."
Makes Charges.
unable to convince the president OF
| the justice of our cause" he ex-
claimed, II appear before you to ask n
congressional investigation which will
expose to public view the general rep
utation and conduct of Gov. Reilly"
| Mr. Dayila charged among other
things:
| That Gov. Reilly announced publicly
| that he intends to make 100000 dur
! ing the next four years in the office,
whereas the salary as governor is
$4,000"
That he has endeavored to "stir up
strife and discord among the citizens;
that he unlawfu1ly "interfered with the
courts of justice and attempted to In
timidate Judges; that in public
speeches "he uttered disregard of the
feelings and sentiments of the citi-
zens and denounced the flag of Porto
Rico as dirty rag; that he declared
to members of the senate he would
have the government at Washington
i annul the organic act,' which pro-
vides that the senate shall ratify ap-
pointments, unless the nominations
were confirmed, which amounts to in
timidation," and that he has attempted
to poison the minds and prejudice"
public opinion in the United States by
stating in public speeches that prom
inent Porto Ricans were disloyal and
4 traitors"
4 Says Past Shady
81 am strongly of the opinion from
information submitted TO me- said
Mr.. Davila, .that an investigation of
Reily's past history will show he was
not the kind of man who should. have
been placed in an important position
like that of governor of 100000
people His past is shady to say the
least
Charging that Reilly had been re-
moved as assistant postmaster at
Kansas City and that the postoffice
department had refused to give him
tie record in the case. Mr.. Davila
added.
, 'If he was not good enough to be
an assistant postmaster, how can he
. be qualified to be governor of dis
, tant possession? How can he be con-
sidered qualified to recommend the
, postmasters of Porto Rico? How can
we feel sure he will not select men
: even worse than himself?"
Apart from the crisis created in
1 Porto RICO Dy Tic SOsClAUi hinuSCiAf
the speaker declared, there does not
! exist any condition which may serve
as an excuse for the selection OF a
, coalition cabinet There is nothing
! abnormal in the island but the pres
ence of E. Mont Reilly"
Governor Reilly, Mr.. Davila said,
: boasts of his strong influence with
, the president of the United States.
81 am very influential man" he
quoted Reilly as saying. Asked by
: the president why he did not make ap-
pointments, RELY told me he replied
Mr.. President you are the boss and
the president said, mont bring the
| names and l will sign
, "The administration of Governor
Reilly has been a succession of insults
, to the people. When he went to the
y island he found land of peace and
z happiness and almost overnight he
3 transformed it into a hot bed Of dis
sension and despair. He could have
| had the everlasting friendship and at
3 lection of Porto Ricans of all classes
2 had he possessed the least Qualifica-
ton to be their governor. And | say
5 to you in full truth we can stand no
0 more. The moment has come when
5 our self-respect rebels. We appeal to
g you for relief from this administra-