42 PROBLEMS IN WILD LIFE CONSERVATION 



subsequent acts. 35 There is a governor and legislature con- 

 sisting of two houses, the members of which are elected by 

 the people. 



The power of the legislature extends to all rightful sub- 

 jects of legislation not inconsistent with the constitution of 

 the United States. In the absence of federal laws to the 

 contrary, the territorial legislature has complete control over 

 wild life found on the islands. To date, Congress has only 

 passed one act dealing with the subject that would so restrict 

 the power of the legislature. On April 30, 1900 it pro- 

 vided that all fisheries in the sea waters of the territory not 

 included in a fish pond should be free to all citizens of the 

 United States, subject, however, to vested rights. The 

 Attorney General of the territory was authorized to proceed 

 by condemnation proceedings to acquire such vested rights 

 so as to make them public fishing grounds. 36 



Conservation of Wild Life in Porto Rico and the Philip- 

 pine Islands: Both the territories of Porto Rico and the 

 Philippine Islands have territorial governments composed of 

 an executive appointed by the President of the United States 

 with the consent of the Senate, and a territorial legislature 

 elected by the people. Local legislative power consistent with 

 the constitution and laws of the United States is vested in 

 the legislature. 87 Although the powers of the legislature of 

 Porto Rico and the Philippines are somewhat more restricted 

 than that of Hawaii, yet the same general principle applies 

 and in the absence of congressional act to the contrary the 

 local legislature is vested with the control over wild life. 

 In the case of neither Porto Rico nor the Philippines has 

 Congress passed any laws relating to wild life. 



35 31 Stat. L. 150; 36 Stat. L. 444; 42 Stat. L. 116; and 42 Stat. L. 223. 



36 31 Stat. L. 160. 



37 For act defining power of legislature, see 39 Stat. L. 958 for Porto 

 Rico and 39 Stat. L. 547 for the Philippines. 



