The Evening Statesman

PORTO RICO.

Starving the government in an effort to forward a political program is not the American way of doing business. Let us suppose the house saying to the senate: "You will pass my bills for this, that and the other, or not a dollar will I vote for the support of the government. I intend to have my wishes about legislation or know the reason why. If necessary, I'll bring everything to a dead halt, and we will all go out of business."

Such a proceeding with us would mean the defeat at the polls of the party resorting to it. We are a little "fierce" at times in our politics, but never that "fierce." Support of the government is, and must be, the first consideration of both parties. They may wrangle savagely and protractedly about the amount necessary, but a proposition by either to vote nothing at all, in a play for party advantage, would be received with execration by the country.

Certain Porto Rican politicians are playing this game. Controlling the lower house of the island's general assembly, they have refused to provide for the support of the island government because of the refusal of the upper house to agree to measures desired by the former. As matters stand there is no remedy. The general welfare is at the mercy of men who prefer no government to a government not controlled by themselves. In effect, they are holding up the government at the point of a pistol. They are the equivalent in the political world of the highwaymen in the everyday world.

President Taft, in his message to congress on this subject, sounds the note of true authority. As he states the case, the Foraker act should be amended so as to lift the government in Porto Rico above the tyranny of party politics. There must be government, and money provision must be made for its support, and by the means suggested by the president the sum would always be available.

In his published comments on the situation the Porto Rican delegate in our house is anything but happy. He says:

"I am convinced that if the recommendations for a change in the Foraker act made by President Taft are adopted by congress, the Porto Rican executive council, which is controlled by American officials appointed by the president, will feel that a new era of force and violence, such as existed in 1900 and 1902 can again be initiated with safety. Congress is strong and we are weak. If congress desires to strike a blow at us, it can do so, but the consequences will be fraught with disaster to the people of Porto Rico."

This threat of revolution—for it is nothing less—will not avail. Responsibility for order is in this government, and we shall be able to command it in any circumstances. If we were not, it would be our duty at once to "obsquatulate." But Uncle Sam is not a quitter. And the Porto Rican delegate misstates the case. Congress is asked to strike no blow at the Porto Ricans. The Porto Ricans have struck a blow at the American procedure of government. Congress is asked to remedy that, and prevent its repetition.