THE MESSAGE. 1 ! I t President's Recommeiida- * c tions to Congress. ; 1 i i The Necessity for Financial Leg- j islatinn is Pointed Out, j 1 Tfie l»blll|»|>ii |r Situation I* l>l«ciiftMcd at Together willi Affair* In Cuba and Porto Itico-A Lengthy State l*a|H*r« i To the Senate and House of Representatives: At the threshold of your deliberations you | are called to mourn with your countrymen the death of Vice President Hobart. who passed < from this life on the morning of November 21 < last. His great soul now rests in eternal peace. ] His private life was pure and elevated, while his public career was ever distinguished by ; large capacity, stainless integrity and exalted < motives. < The Fifty-sixth congress convenes in its :,rst < regular session with the country in a condition of unusual prosperity, of universal good will among the people at home, and in relations of peace and friendship with every government ( of the world. < >ur foreign commerce has shown great increase in volume and value. The combined imports and exports for the year are the largest ever shown by a single year in all ( our history. Our exports for i-9.» alone ex ceeded by more than a billion dollars our im ports and exports combined in 1870. The im ports per capita are 20 per cent, less than in , 1«70, while the exports per capita are 58 per cent, more than in 1870. showing the enlarged , capacity of the United States to satisfy the , wants of its own increasing population, as well as to contribute to those of the people of other nations. The Nation'* Finance*. Exports of agricultural products were $784,- 770, 142. Of manufactured products we export ed in value $339,592,146, being larger than any previous vear. It is a noteworthy fact that the only year in ail our history when the products of our manufactures sold abroad exceeded those bought abroad were 1898 and 1899. Government receipts from till sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, lMiy, including sll.- 79*,314.14 part payment of the Central Pacific Kailroad indebtedness, aggregated jCIO.9BJ.OiU. Customs receipts were v-'tJC.ICS,4BI, and those from internal revenue $273,437, Itil. For the iiscal year the expenditures were $700,093,564. leaving a deficit of *89,111,5 The secretary or the treasury estimates that the receipts lor the current llscal year will aggregate $f140.y55,H2, ail( l upon the basis of present appropriations the expenditures will aggregate c0j0,958,U2, leaving a surplus of 140,000,000. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899. the internal revenue receipts were increased about s. 100,000,000. The present gratifying strength of the treas ury is shown by the fact that on December 1. 1H99. the available cash balance? vu- ".218,004.- 737. of which &239.714 905 was in gold coin and bullion The conditions of confidence which prevail throughout the country have brought gold into more general use, and customs re ceipts are now almost entirely paid in that coin. The strong position of the treasury with re spect to cash on hand and the favorable show ing made by the revenues have made it possi ble tor the secretary of the treasury to take action under the provisions of Section stfUl, Revised Statutes, relating to the sinking fund. Receipts exceeded expenditures fort\* first live months of the current iiscal year *i..413,- 389. and, as mentioned above, the secretary of the treasury estimates that there will be a sur plus of approximately 40,000,0 o at the end of the year. Under such conditions it was deemed advisable to resume compliance with the pro visions of tho sinking fund law, which for eight years has not been done because of dell oienoles in the revenues. The treasury dei partinent therefore offered to purchase during November .25.00 J,OOO of the 5 percent, loan of 1904 or the 4 percent, funded loan of 1907. at Ihe current market price. The amount ofter< d and purchased during November was $18,40*.- 600. The premium paid by the government on such purchases was . 2,203,521. and the net sav- . ing in interest was about $2,885,000. The suc cess of this operation was sufficient to induce the government to continue the offer to pur chase bonds to and including the 23d day <-f December, unless the remainder of the .2V -000.0 )0 called for should be presented in the meantime for redemption. Increased activity in industry, with its wel come attendant a larger employment of labor at higher wages gives t > the body of the peo ple a larger power to absorb the circulating medium. It is further true that year by year, with larger areas of land under cultivation, the increasing volume of agricultural products calls for a larger volume of money supply This is especially noticeable sit. the crop har vesting and crop moving period. In its earlier history the national banking act seemed to provide a reasonable avenue through which ne» dful additions to the circu lation could from time to time be made Changing conditions have apparently render i it now inoperative to that end. The high mar gin in bond purchases referred to, resulting from large premiums which government bon is command in the market, or the tax, appear t • be the influences which impair its public utility. The attention of congress is respectively in vited to this important matter with the view of ascertaining whethc r or not such reasonable modifications can be made in the national banking act as will render its service in the particulars here referred to more resnonsive t<> the people's needs, i again urge that na tional banks be authorized to organize with a capital of £25.00 J. 'Flic t.olel Standard. 1 urgently recommend that to support the existing gold standard and to maintain "the parity in value of the coins of the two metals {gold and silver) and the equal power of every dollar at all times in the market and in the p • - :,t of debts." the secret try of the tr<as ur.v to be given additional power and charged ■with the duty to sell United States bonds and to employ such other effective means as may be met ssar.v to these ends. The authority should include the power to sell I orids on Ion:/ and sort time, as conditions may r< quire, and should provide for a rate of interest lower than that lixed by the act of January 11. 1875 While there is now no commercial fright which wi hdiaws gold from the government. but, on the c ontrary, such widespread confi de".:*-*- that gold seeks the treasury, demanding pap' r money in exchange, yet 11» - very situa tion points to the present as the most littii g ti* < to make adequate provision to insure the continuance'of the gold standard and of public confidence in the ability and purpose of the ! government to meet all its obligations in the money which the civilized wor.d recognizes as the best. The financial transactions of the i government are conduct d upon a gold basis, j We receive gold when we sell United States 1 ends and us»- gold for their payment. We j are maintaining the parity of all the money issue d or coined by authority of the! govern ment. We are doing tkese t.ings with the nn ais at hand. Happily at the preset.t time w»- ; re not compelled to resort tei loans to sup* ly gold It has beeu done in the past, ho,\e vor. and may have to be done in the fu ture. It I ehooves us. there fore, to provide at oi.ee the best means to meet the emergency ■w'.n nit ar s» s, and the best means are those which are- the most certain and ee< nomicaL 'in* se now authorized have the virtue neither of dire-ci i< s> nor economy. We have already eliminated one of the causes of our financial plight and embarrassment during the years Ik:; I£(h. 1*95 and D 9 :. < *ur re cipt> now equal our <X|< nditures; elelicient levenues no longer cr« ate alarm. 1-et us remove the only remain in cause by conferring tho full and necessary rower on the secretary of the treasury and Impose upon him the duty to uphold the pres ent golel standard and preserve the coins of the two metals at a parity with each other, which is the repeatedly declared policy of the United States. In this connection 1 repeat my former rec f inm< -ndations that a portion of the gold hold ings shall be place-din a trust fund from which greenbacks shall be redeemed upon presenta -11.. . but when once redeemed shall not there after be paiel out except for gold. (hir Merchant Warlne. The value ejf an American merchant marine to the extension of >ur commercial trade and ih« strengthening of our power upon the sea invites the immediate action of congn ss. Our national development will be one-sided and unsatisfactory so long as the remarkable growth of our inland industries remains unac companied by progress on the seas. There is no lack of constitutional authority for legisla tion which shall give to the country maritime sir* iißth commensurate with its industrial achievements and with its rank among the nat ions <>f the earth. 'lie-past year has recorded exceptional ac ti \ity in our sidpyards. anel the promises of continued prosperity in shipbuilding are abun bant Advanced legislation for tho protection «r tour seamen has been enacted. Our coast trad©, under regulation* wiseij framed at the I ( beginning of the government and since, shows < re lilts for the past fiscal year unequaled in ' t our records or those of any other power. We | \ shall fail to realize our opportunities, however, | e If we complacently regard only mutters at j. home and blind ourselves to the necessity of I securing our share in tho valuable carrying < trade of the world. ' Last year American vessels transported a 1 smaller share of our exports and imports than ] during any former year in all our history, and ' I the measure of our dependence upon foreign I shipping was painfully manifested to our peo ple. Without any choice of our own. but from i necessity, the departments of the government 1 charged with military and naval operations in the Kast and West Indies had to obtain from foreign flags merchant vessels essential for > 1 those operations. The other great nations have not hesitated to adopt the required means to develop their shipping as a factor in national defense and as one of the surest and spec diest means of obtaining for their producers a share In foreign markets Like vigilance and effort 011 our part cannot fail to improve our situa tion, which is regarded with humiliation at home and with surprise abroad. Even these sacrifices, which at the beginning may be in volved. will be offset later by more than equiv alent gains. The expense is as nothing compared to the advantage to be achieved. The re-establish ment of our merchant marine involves in a large measure our continued industrial pro gress and the extension of our commercial triumphs. lam satisfied the judgment of the i country favors the policy of aid to our mer chant marine, which will broaden our com merce and markets and upbuild our sea carry ing capacity for tho products of agriculture and manufacture; which, with the increase of «or navy, mean more work and wages to our countrymen, as well as a safeguard to Ameri can interests in every part of the world. TriiMtfi and Combine*. Combinations of capital organized into trusts to control the conditions of trade among our citizens, to stilie competition, limit produc ts 11 and determine the prices of products used and consumed by the people are justly pro voking public discussion, and should early claim the attention of congress. The indus trial commission has been engaged in ex tended hearings upon the disputed questions involved in the subject of combinations in re straint of trade and competition. They have not yet completed their investigation of this subject, and the conclusions and recommenda tions at which they may arrive are undeter mined. The subject is one giving rise to many di vergent views as to the nature and variety or cau.se and extent of the injuries to the public which may result from large combinations concentrating more or less numerous enter prises and establishments, which, previous to the formation of the combination, were car ried on separately. It is universally conceded that combinations which engross or control the market of any particular kind of merchandise or commodity necessary to the general community, by sup pressing natural competition, whereby prices are unbalanced to the general consumer are obnoxious not only to the common law, but also to the public welfare. There must be a remedy for the evils involved in such organisa tions. If the present law can be extended more certainly to control or check these mo nopolies it should be done without delay. Whatever power congress possesses over this most important subject should be promptly ascertained and asserted. The prosecution by the United tttates of offenses under the act of 1890 has been fre quently resorted to in the federal courts and notable eiforts in the restraint of inter-state commerce, such as the Trans-Missouri Freight association and the Joint Traffic association, have been successfully opposed and sup pressed. Uniformity of legislation upon this subject in the s- veral states is much to be desired. It is to be hoped that such uniformity, founded in a wise and just discrimination between what is injurious and what is useful and necessary in business operations, may be obtained and that means may be found for congress so to supplement an effective code of state legisla tion as to make a complete system of laws throughout tho United States adequate to compel a generous observance of the salutary rules tow hich I have referred. Hill* He hi | ions, A review of our relations with foreign states is present! d, with such recommendations as are deemed appropriate The contract of the Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua was declared forfei.ed by the Nicaragua!! government on October 10, on the ground of non-fullment within the ten years 1 term stipulated in the contract. The Maritime Canal Company has lodged a protest against this action, alleging rights in the premises which appear worthy of consideration. The Nicaragua canal commission which had I'.een made upon the work of examination and survey for a ship canal route across Wicara j gua, having completed its labors and made its report, was dissolved on May 31, and on June 10 a new commission, known as the isthmian commission, was organized for the purpose oi examining the American isthmus with a view to determining the most practicable and feasi ble route for a ship canal across that isthmus, with its probable cost and other essential de tails. The work will be prosecuted as expe ditiously as possible, and a report made at the earliest practicable date. The great import ance of this work cannot be too often or too strongly pressed upon the attention of con gress. in my message of a year ago I expressed my views oi the necessity of a canal which would link the two great oceans, to which I a-rain invite your consideration. The reasons then presented for early action are even stronger now. In view of disturbances in the populous prov inces of northern China, where are many of our citizens, and of the imminence of disorder near the capital and towards the seaboard, a guard of marines was landed from the Boston and stationed last winter in the legation com pound at Peking. With the restoration of order this protection was withdrawn. The interests of our citizens in that vast em pire have not been neglected during the past yi ar. Adequate protection has been secured for our missionaries, and some injuries to their property have been redressed. In my message to congress of Decembers, 189", I urged that the r< commendation which had been made to the speaker of the house of representatives by the secretary of the treas ury for an appropriation for a commission to study the commercial and industrial condi tions in the Chinese empire and report as to the opportunities for and obstacles to the en largement of markets in « hina for the raw products and manufactures of the United Slates, should receive at your hands the con sideration which its importune:' merited, but congress failed to take action. 1 now renew this recommendation, as the importance of the subject has steadily grown since it was first submitted to you. This government has maintained an attitude of neutrality in the unfortunate contest be tween Great Britain and the Boer stale of Africa. We have remained faithful to the pre cept of avo ding entangling alliances as to af- : ' fairs not of our direct concern. Had circum stances suggested that the parties to the quar rel would nave welcomed any kindly expres sion of the hop •of the American people that war might be averted, our good ofllces would • have been gladly tendered. For the fourth time in the present decade a question has arisen with the government of Italy in regard to the lynching of Italian sub jects. The latest of these deplorable events • occurred at Tallulah, Louisiana, whereby live unfortunates of Italian origin were taken from jail and hanged. The authorities of the state and a represen ! taiiveof the Italian embassy having separately ' investigated the occurrence, with discrepant results, particularly as to the alleged citizen ship of the victims, and it now appearing that the state authorities had not been able to dis > cover the Violators, an investigation has been • set on foot through the agency of the depart ment of state, and is still in progress. \ The arrangement under which Samoa was \ administered had proved impracticable and ' unacceptable to all the powers concerned. A satisfactory arrangement was concluded be r twten the government-, of Germany and ' England by virtue of which England retired 1 from Samoa in view of compensations in otner directions and both powers renounced in favor 1 of the United Stales all their rights in respect r to that portion of the group lying to the east of the 171st degree of west longitude, embracing ' the islands of Tutila. Ofoo, Olosenga and I Manua. 1 transmit to the senate for action thereon a convention, which besides the pro f visions above mentioned also grants us the same, privileges in respect to commerce in u.M - of the islands of Samoa as those possessed by Germany. Cuba and (lie C übitus. " My annual message of last year was neces sarily devoted in great part to a consideration 3 of the S| anish war and of the results it wrought and the conditions it imposed for the future. 1 am gratified to announce that the treaty of peace; hus restored friendly relations e between the two powers and effect has given d to its most important provisions Tha evueua ii tion of l'« rto Rico having already neon accom r plished October IK, 1898. nothing remain d nec tl essary there but to continue the provisional e military control of the island until congress - should enact a suitable government for the s ceded territory. Of the character of the meas ures to that end 1 shall treat in another part eof this message. .1 The withdiawal of the authority of Spain e from Cuba was effected by January Ist. so that l the full n -csta l.shment of peace found there - linquished territory held by us in trust, for the >f inhabitants, maintaining, under the direction - of tne executive, such control therein as should n conserve public- order, restore the productive >t conditions of peace so long disturbed by ibv CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1899. flisorder which prevailed for the greater part r>f the preceding three decades and build up i that tranquil development of the state where- ! by alone can be realized the high purpose pro- 1 claimed in the joint resolution adopted by con gress on the 19th of April, 1898, by which the United States disclaimed any intention to exercise sovereignty over Cuba, except for the pacification thereof, and asserted its de termination when that was accomplished to h ave the government of the island to itself. The pledge contained in this resolution must be sacredly kept. I believe that substantial progress has been made in this direction. All the administrative measures adopted in Cuba have aimed to lit it for a regenerated existence by enforcing the supremacy of law and justice; by placing wher ever practicable the machinery of administra tion in the hands of the inhabitants; by insti tuting needed sanitary reforms; by spreading education; by fostering industry and trade; by inculcating public morality, and, in short, by taking every rational step to aid the Cuban people to attain that plane of self-reliant unity which fits an enlightened community for self government within its own sphere, while ena bling it to fulfill all outward obligations. This nation has assumed before the world a grave responsibility for the future good gov ernment or Cuba. We have accepted a trust, the fulfillment of which rails for the sternest integrity of purpose and the exercise of the highest wisdom. The new Cuba yet to arise from the ashes of the past must needs be bound to us by ties of singular intimacy and strength if its enduring welfare is to be en sured. Whether those t l es shall be organic or conventional the destinies of Cuba are in some rightful form and manner irrevocably linked with our own, but how and how far is for the future to determine in the ripeness of events. Whatever be the outcome we must see to it that tree Cuba be a reality, not a name, a per fect entity, not a hasty experiment bearing within itself the elements of failure On the 9th of August last an order was made for the taking of the census in the island, to be completed on the 30th of November, iiy th* tr-aty of peace the Spanish people on the island have until April 11,19 )0, to elect whether they will remain citizens of Spain or become citizens of Cuba. Until then it cannot be defi nitely ascertained who shall be entitled to par ticipate in the formation of the government of Cuba. By that time the iesults of the census will have been tabulated and we shall proceed to provide for elections which will commit the municipal governments of the islands to the officers elected by the people. The experience thus acquired will prove of great value in the formation of a representative convention of the people to draft a constitution and establish a general system of independent government for the island. In the meantime, and so long as we exercise control over the island the products of Cuba should have a market in the United States on as good terms and with as favorable rates of duty as are given to the West India islands under treaties of reciprocity which shall be made. '■' lie Peace Conference# In response to the invitation of the emperor of Russia delegates from 26 countries as sembled at The Hague on May IH, US members of a conference In the interest ol peace. 'i he commission from the United States consisted of Hon. Andrew I> White, Hon. Seth how, Hon. Stanford Newell, Capt Crosier, of the United Sates army, ( apt. Alfred T. Mahan, of the United States navy, and Hon. Frederick W. 1 lolls, secretary. The occasion seemed to be opportune lor the serious consideration of a plan for the pacific adjustment of international di Here net s. The final act of the conference includes con vention* upon the am- lioration of the laws and customs of war on land, the adaptation to maritime warfare of the principles of the Geneva convention of 18(54, and the extension of judicial methods to international cases. The convention for the pacific settlement of international conflicts embodies the leading features of the American plan, with such modifications as were rendered necessary by the trre.it diversity of interests represented by the delegates. The four titles of the conven tion provide for the- maintenance of general peace, the exercise of good offices and media tion, the form.ition of commissions of inquiry, and international arbitration. Tlie Army. Since my last annual message, and in obedi ence to the acts of congress of April 22 and 1898. the remaining volunteer foroe enlisted for the Spanish war. consisting of 31.831 regulars and 110,202 volunteers, wltn ovor 5,000 volun teer officers, has been discharged from the military service. (>f the volunteers CO? officers and U. 831 men were serving in the Philippines, and 1,050 of the regulars, who were entitled to be mustered out after the ratification of the treaty of peace. They voluntarily remained at j the front until their places could be tilled by new troops. They were returned home in the order in which they went to Manila, and ure now all of them out of the service and in the ranks of citizenship. I recommend that con gress provide a special medal of honor for the regulars, sailors and marines on duty in the Phil ppines who voluntarily remained in the service after their terms of enlistment had ex pired. By the act of March 2, 1899, congress gave authority to increase the regular army to a max.mum not exceeding tii.ooo enlisted men, and to enlist a force of &> t uoo volunteers, to be recruited from the country at large. By virtue of this authority the regular army has been increased to the number of 01.999 enlisted men and 2,2-18 officers, and new volunteer regiments have been organized aggregating33,os.) enlisted men and 1,524 officers. Two of these volunteer regiments are made up of colored men, with colored line officers. '1 he new troops to take the places of those returning from the Philip pines have been transported to Manila to the number of 581 efficers and enlisted men of the regular army and .>9l officers and 1>.388 enliste i men of the new volunteer force, while 501 officers and 14,119 men of the volunteer force are on the ocean en route to Manila. The force now in Manila consists of 903 offi cers and 31.578 regulars, and 594 officers and 15.388 of the volunteers, making an aggregate of 1,199 officers and 15,966 men. Wnen the troops now under orders shall reach Manila the force in the archipelago will comprise 2,051 officers and 03,483 men. The muster out of the great volunteer army organized for the Spanish war and the creation of a new army, the transportation irom Manila to San Fran cisco of those entitle 1 to dicharge. and the transportation of the new troops to take their places, have been a work of great magnitude, well and ably done, for which too much credit cannot be given the war department. During tin past year we have reduced our force in ( üba and Porto itico. In Cuba we now have 334 officers and 10,790 enlisted men; in Porto Ri«'o, 87 officers aud 2,85» elisted men and a battalion of 400 men, composed of native Porto Ilieans: while stationed throughout the United Statesiure 910 officers and 17.317 men, and in Hawaii 1- officers and 453 enlisted men. Tli«' I'oMtal Service, The domestic postal service continues to grow with extraordinary rapidity. The ex penditures and the revenues will each exceed £100.000.0 hi during the current year. Fortu nately. since the revival of prosperous times the revenues have grown much faster than the expenditures, and there is every indication that a short period will witness the oblitera tion of the annual deficit. In this connection the report of the postmaster general embodies a statement of some evils which have grown up outside of contemplation of law in the treatment of some classes ol mail matter which wrongly exercise the privilege of the pound rate, and shows that if this matter had been properly classified and had paid the rate which it should have paid, instead of a postal deficit for the last fiscal year of • 0.010. iO', there would have been on one basis a surplus of J17,(337,570, and on another of so. 733,8.46. Tlie Navy. The navy has maintained the spirit and high efficiency which have always character ized that service and has lost none of the gal lantry in heroic action which has signalized its brilliant and j. r l rious past. The nation has equal pride in its early and later achieve ments. its habitual readiness for every emer gency has won the conlldence and admiration of the country The people nr.• interested in the continued prep; ration and prestige of the navy and will justify liberal appropriations for its maintenance and improvement The officers have shown peculiar adaptation for the performance of new and delicate duties which our recent war has imposed. It cannot be doubted thai congress will at once make necessary j revision for the armor plate for the vessels now under contract and building. Its attention Is respectfully called to the report of the secretary of the navy, in which the subject is fully presented.l unite in his recommendation that congress enact such special legislation as may be necessary to enable the department ton ake contracts early in the coming year for armor of the best quality that can be obtained in this country for the Maine. Ohio, and Missouri, and that the provision of the act of March 3, isi9. limit ing the price of armor to 1300 per ton be re moved. In the matter of naval construction Italy and Japan, of the great powers, laid down less tonnage in the year 1899 than this couutry. and Italy alone has less tonnage under con struction. I heartily concur in the recom mendations for the increase of the navy, as suggested by the secretary. Tlie £'Mlf|>|>liic (tiicwtloii* On the .Otli of December. 1898. the treaty of pea ,- e between the United States and Spain was signed. It provided, among other things, that Spain should cede to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine Isl ands. that the United States should pay to Spain r .O, 00.0)0, and t hit the civil rights and political status of the native inhabitants of the territories tiir.s ceded to the United States should be determined by congress. The treaty was ratified by the; senate on February d. 18t>9, and by the government of Spain on March 19. rhfl ratifications were exchanged on Anril 11 And the treaty publicly proclaimed. On March 1 congress voted the sum contemplated by the treaty, and the amount was paid over to the Spanish government on May 1. In this manner the Philippines came to the United States, The islands were ceded by the government of Spain, which had been in un disputed possession of them for centuries. They were accepted not merely by our author ized commissioners in Paris, under the direc tion of the executive, but by the constitutional and well-considered action of the representa tives of the people of the United States in both houses of congress. I had every reason to believe, and I still believe, that this transfer of sovereignty was in accordance with the wishes and the aspirations of the great mass of the Filipino people. From the earliest moment no opportunity was lost of assuring the people of the islands of our ardent desire for their welfare and of the intention of this government to do every thing possible to advance their interests, in my order of May li». inyx, the commander of the military expedition dispatched to the Philippines was instructed to declare that we came not to make war upon the people of that country, "nor upon any party or faction among them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments, and in their personal and religious rights." That there should be no doubt as to the paramount authority there, on the i?th of March it was directed that "there must be no joint occupation with the insur gents:" that the United States must preserve the peace and protect persons and property within the territory occupied by their military am! naval forces; that the insurgents and all others must recognize the military occupation and authority of the United States. As early as December 1, beforo the cession, and in an ticipation of that event, the commander in Manila was urged to restore peace and tran quility and to undertake the establishment of a beneficent government, which should allord the fullest security for life and property. On the 'J Ist of December, after the treaty was signed, the commander of the forces of occupation was instructed "to announce and proclaim in the most public manner that we come, not as invaders and conquerors, but as friends to protect the natives in their homes, in their employments, and iii their personal and religions rights." On the same day, while ordering General Otis to see that peace should be preserved in Hollo, he was admonished that: "it is most Important that there should be no conflict with the insurgents." On January 1, 18WU, urgent orders were reiterated that the kindly intentions of this government should be in every possible way communicated to the Insurgents On January 21 I announced my intention of dispatching to Manila a commission composed of three gentlemen of the highest character and distinction, thoroughly acquainted with the Orient, who, in association with Admiral Dewey and Maj. Gen. Otis, were instructed to "facilitate the most humane and effective ex tension of authority throughout, the islands, and to secure with the least possible delay the benefits of a wise and generous protection of life and property to the inhabitants." These gentlemen were Dr. Jacob Schurman, presi dent of Cornell university: Hon. Charles Den by, for many years minister to < hina, and Prof. Dean C. 1 ! Worcester, of the University of Michigan, who had made a careful study of life in the Philippines. While the treaty of peace was under consideration in the senate these commissioners set out on their mission of good will and'liberation- Hut before their arrival at Manila the sinis ter ambition of a few leaders of the Filipinos had created a situation full of embarrassment for us and most grievous in its consequences to themselves. The clear and impartial pre-I ilmlnary report of the commissioners, which 1 transmit herewith, gives so comprehensive a history <>f the present insurrectionary move ment that the story need not b>' here repeated, it is enough to say that the claim of the rebel leader that he was promised independence by independence by any officer of the United States in return for his assistance has no foun dation in fact, and is denied by the very wit nesses who were called to prove it. The most the insurgent leader hoped for when he came back to Manila was the liberation of the islands from the Spanish control, which they had been laboring for years without success to throw otT. The prompt accomplishment of this work by the American army and navy gave him o her ideas and ambitions, and insidious suggestions from various quarters perverted the purposes and intentions with which he had taken up arms. No sooner had our army captured Ma nila than the Filipino forces began to assiine an attitude of suspicion and hostility which the utmost efforts ol our officers and troops were unable to disarm or modify. Their kindness and forbearance were taken as a proof of cow ardice. The aggressions of the Filipinos con tinually increased until finally, just before the time set by the senate of the United States for a vote upon the treaty, an attack, evidently prepared in advance, was made all along the American lines, which resulted in a terribly destructive and sanguinary repulse of tho in surgents. Ten days later an order of the insurgent gov ernment was issued to its adherents who had remained in Manila, of which Gen. Otis justly observes that " for barbarous intent it is un equalled in modern times." it directs that at 8 o'clock on the night of the loth of February the " territorial militia " shall come together In the streets of San Pedro, armed with bolos, with guns and ammunition where convenient; that Filipino families only shall be respected; but that all other individuals, of whatever race they may be. shall be exterminated without any compassion, after the extermination of the army of occupation, and adds: " Brothers, we must avenge ourselves on the Americans and exterminate them, that we may take onr revenge for the infamies and treacheries which they have committed upon us. Have no compassion on them: attack with vigor." A copy of this fell into the hands of our officers and they were able to take measures to control the rising, wnieh was actually at tempted on the night of February a week later than was originally contemplated. Con siderable numbers of armed insurgents entered the city and in concert with confederates in side attempted to destroy Manila by lire. They were kept in check during the night and the next day driven out of the city with heavy loss. This was the unhappy condition of affairs wnieh confronted our commissioners on their arrival in Manila. They had come wi h the hope and intention of co-operating with Ad miral Dewey and Maj. Gen. Otis in establish ing peace and order in the archipelago and the largest measure of self-government conn ati ble with the true welfare of tie people. What they actually found can best be forth in their own words: • Deplorable as war is, the one in which we are now engaged was unavoidable by us. We were attacked by a bold, adventurous, and en thusiastic army No alternative was left to us except ignom nous retreat. • It is not to be conceived of that any Ameri can would have sanctioned the surrender of Manila to the insurgents. Our obligations to other nations and to the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves and our fi ig demanded that force should be met by force. Whatever the future of tiie Philippines may be, there is no course open to us now except the prosecution of the war until the insurgents are reduced to sub mission The commission is of the opinion t.iat there has been no time since the destruc tion of the Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey when it wasp jssiole to withdraw our forced from the islands either with honor to ours Ives or with safety to the inhabitants." The course thus clearly indicated has been unflinchingly pursued. The rebellion must be put down. Civil government cannot be thor oughly established until order is restored. With a devo lon and gallantry worthy of its m< at. brilliant history, the army, ably assisted I y the navy, lias carried on this unwelcome but most righteous campaign with richly deserved success. The noble self-sacrifice with which our soldiers and sailors whose terms of service had expired refused to avail themselves of their right to return home as long as they were needed at the front forms one of the brightest pages In our annals Although their opera tions have been somewhat interrupted and checked by a rainy season of unusual violence and duration, they have gained ground steadily in every direction, and now look forward confi dently to a speedy completion of their task. The unfavorable circumstances connected with an active campaign have not been per mitted to interfoie with the equally important work of reconstruction A nam I invite your attention to the report of tlie commissioners for the encouraging details of the work al ready accomplished in the establishment of peace and order and the inauguration of self governing municipal life in many portio s of the archipelago. A notable beginning has been made in the establishment of a government in the island of \egros which is deserv ng of spe cial consideration. This was the island to accept American sovereignty. Its people unreservedly proclaimed allegiance to the United States and adopted a constitution looking to the establishment of a popular gov ernment. It was impossible to guarantee to the people of Ncgros that the constitution so adopted should be the ultimate form of government. Such a question, under the treaty with Spain, and in uceordaiiee with our own constitution and laws, came exclusively within the j irisdic tion of congress. The government actually set U;J by the inhabitants of Ncgros eventually proved unsatisfactory to the natives them selves. A new system was put into force by order of the major general commanding the department, of which the following are the most important elements: It was ordered that the government of tho island of Ncgros should consist of a military g vernor appointed by th- United States mili tary governor of the Philippines, and a civil governor and an advisory council elect'd oy the people. The military governor was author ised to appoint secretaries of the treasury, in terior, agriculture, public instruction, an at tor- ney general, and an auditor. The seat of gov ernment was fixed at Hacolod. The military governor exercises the supreme executive power. He is to see that the laws are exe cuted. appoint to office, and fill all vacancies in office not otherwise provided for.and may. with the approval of the military governor of the Philippines, remove any officer from office. The civil governor advises the military gover nor on all public civil questions and presides over the advisory council. He, in general, per forms the duties which are performed by sec retaries of state in our own system of govern ment. The advisory council consists of eight mem bers elected by the people within territorial limits which are defined in the order of the commanding general. The times and places of holding elections are to be fixed by the military governor of the island of Negros. The qualifications of voters are us follows 1 A voter must be a male citizen of the island of Negros. 2 of the age of 21 years. 3 He shall be able to speak, read and write the Knglish. Spanish, or Visayan language, or he must own real property worth .500, or pay a rental on real property of the value of 11,000. 4. lie must have resided in the island not less than one year preceding, and in the dis trict in which he offers to register as a voter not less than three months immediately pre ceding the time he offers to register. 5 He must register at a time fixed by law bef< re ?ot log. 6 Prior to such registration he shall have paid all taxes due by him to the government. Provided, that no insane person shall be allowed to register or vote. The military governor has the right to veto all bills or resolutions adopted by the advisory council, and his veto is final if not disapproved by the military governor of the Philippines. The advisory council dfscharges all the ordi nary duties of a legislature. The usual duties pertaining to said offices are to bo performed by the secretaries of the treasury, interior, agriculture public instruction, the attorney general and the auditor. The judicial power is vested in three judges who are to be appointed by the military gov ernor of the island, inferior courts are to be established. Free public schools are to be established throughout the populous districts of the isl and, in which the Knglish language shall be taught, and this subject will receive the care ful consideration of the advisory council. The burden of government must be dis tributed equally and equitably among the people. The military authorities will collect and receive the customs revenue, and will con trol postal matters and Philippine inter-island trade and commerce. The military governor, subject to the ap proval of the military governor of the Philip pines. determines all questions not specifically provided for and which do not come under the jurisdiction of the advisory council. The authorities of tne Sulu islands have ac cepted the succession of the United States to the rights of Spain, and our flair floats over that territory. On August 10, 18U9. Brig. Gen. Hates negotiated a i agreement with the sul ta» and his principal chefs, which 1 transmit herewith. By Ar ieie 1 the sov< reignity of tte United States over the whole archipela o and its dependencies is declared and acknowledged. The United states flag will be used in the archipelago and its dependencies, on land and sea. Piracy is to be suppressed, and the sultan agrees to co-operate heartily with the United States authorities to that end and to make every possible effort to arrest and bring to justice all persons engaged in piracy. All trade in domestic productions of the archipel ago when carried on with any part of the Phil ippine islands and under the American lia,' shall be free, unlimited and undutiable. Article X provides that any slave in the archipelago shall have the right to purchase freedom by paying to the master the usual market value. The agreement by Gen. Hates was made subject to confirmation by the presi dent and to future modifications by the con sent of the parties in interest. I have con tinued said agreement, subject to the action of congress, and with the reservation, which I have directed shall be communicated to the sultan, that this agreement is not to be deemed in any way to authorize or give the consent of the United States to the existence of slavery in tin; Sulu archipelago. I commu nicate these facts to congress for its informa tion and action. K very thing indicates that with the speedy suppression of the Tagalo rebellion life in the archipelago will soon resume its ordinary course under the protection of our sovereignty and the people of those favored islands will enjoy a prosperity and a freedom which they have never before known. Already hundreds of schools are open and 11 lied with children. Religious freedom is sacredly assured and en joyed. The courts are dispensing justice. Business is beginning to circulate in its accus tomed channels. Manila, whose inhabitants were fleeing to the country a few months ago, is now a populous and thriving mart of com merce. The earnest endeavors of the commis sion and the admiral and major general com manding the Department of the Pacific to as sure the people of the beneficent intentions of this government have had their legitimate effect in convincing the great mass of them that peace and safety and prosperity and stable government can only he found in a loyal acceptance of the authority of the United States The future government of the Philippines rests with the congress of the United States. Few graver responsibilities have ever been confided to us. If we accept th* m in a spirit worthy of our race and our traditions a great opportunity comes with t.icm. The islands lie under the shelter of our flag. They are ours by every title of law and equity. They cannot be abandoned. If we desert them we leave them at once to anarchy and finally to barbar ism We fling them, a golden apple of discord, among the rival powers, no one of which could permit another to seize them unquestioned Their rich plains and valleys would be the scene of endless strife and bloodshed. The advent of Dewey's flee in Manila bay instead of being. as we hope, the dawn of a new day of freedom and progress, will have be n the beginning of an era of misery and violence worse than any which has darkened their un happy past. The suggestion has been made that we could renounce our authority over the islands and. j giving them independence, could ret tin a pro tectorate over them. This proposit on will not | be 112 un . 1 : m sure, worthy of your s< rious attention. Such an arrangement would in- I \olve at the outset a cruel breach of faith. It ! would place the peaceable and loyal majority. I who as!; nothing better than to accept our : authority, at. the mercy or the mi ority of ariF.ed insur/outs. It would make us respon sible for the acts of the insurgent leaders and give us no power to control them. It would charge us with the task of protecting them against each oth'-r and defending them against any foreign power with which they chose to quarrel. In short, it would take from the engross of the United States th" power of declaring war and vest that tremendous prerogative m the Tagalo leader of the hour. 1: does not seem desirable that 1 should rcemmend at this time a specific and final form of government for these islands. When peace shall l e rest on d it would be the duty of congress to const ruct a plan of government which shall establish and maintain freedo and order and peace in the Philippines. The insurrection s still existing, and when it ter minates further informal ion will Ie required as to the actual condition of affairs before inaug urating a permanent scheme of civil govern ment The full report of the commission, now in preparation, will contain information and suggestions which will beef value to congress, and which I will transmit as soon as it is com pleted. As long as the i surreetion continues the military arm must necessarily bo supreme. Hut there is no reason why steps should not be taken froin time to time to inaugurate governments essent ally popular in their form as fast as territory is held and controlled by our troops. To this end lam considering the advisability of the return of the commission, or such of the members thereof as can be secured, to aid the existing authorities and facilitate this work throughout the islands. I have believed that i reconstruction should not begin by tlio estab lishment of one central civil government for all the islands, with its seat at Manila, but | rather that the work should be commenced by ! building up from the bottom, lirst establishing ! municipal governments and then provincial i governments, a central government at last to ; follow. ! Until congress shall have made known the j formal expression of its will 1 shall use the ! authority vested in mo by the constitution and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty of the United States in those distant islands as in all 1 other places where our flag rightfully floats. I 1 shall put at the disposal of the army and navy I all the nrie ns which the liberality of congress I and the people have provided to cause this un- I provoked and wasteful insurrection to cease. If any orders of mine were required to insure the merciful conduct of military and naval , operations, they would not bo lacking: but ; every step of the progress of our troops has been marked by a humanity which has stir | prised even the misguided insurgents. The i truest kindness to them will be a swift defeat ! of their present leader. The hour of victory ; will be the hour of clemency and reconstruc j tion. ! No effort will be spared to build up the , waste places desolated by war and b\ long ' years of misgovernment We shall not wait | for the end of strife to begin the beneficent ' work. We shall continue, as we have begun, : to open the schools and the churches, to set the courts in operation, to foster industry and trade and agriculture, a id in every wav in our power tom ke these people whom Providence i lias nrouirht within our Jurisdiction feel that it their liberty and not our power, their wcl -1 fare atnot our gain, we are seeking to en ' aan'e. Our flag has never waved over aajr community but in blessing. I believe the Fili pinos will soon recognize the fact that It has not lost Its gift of benediction In Its world wide journey to their shores. Ilaivallan Adair*. Some embarrassment in administration has occurred I y reason of the peouliar status which the Hawaiian islands at present occupy under the Joint resolution of annexation approved July 7, lHiin While by that resolution the re public of Hawaii as an independent nation was extinguished, its separate sovereignty de stroyed, and its properly and possessions vested in the United Slates, yet a complete es tablishment for its government under our sys tem is not effected. While the municipal laws of the islands not enacted for the fulfillment of treaties and not inconsistent with the joint resolution or contrary to the constitution of the United States or any of its treaties remain in force, yet these laws relate only to the social and internal affairs of the islands, and do not touch many subjects of importance which are of a broader national character. Isy the resolution of annexation the presi dent was directed to appoint live commission ers to recommend to congress such legislation concerning the islands as they should deem necessary or proper. These commissioners were duly appointed, and after a careful inves tigation of tiie system of laws and government provided in the islands and of the conditions existing there, they prepared a bill to provide a government under the title of"The Territory of Hawaii." The, report of the commission, with tlie hill which tliey prepared, was trans mitted by me to congress on December 6, ISDS, bnt the bill still awaits tinal action. The people of these islands are entitled to the benefits and privileges of our constitution, but in the absence of any act of congress pro viding for federal courts in the islands, and for a procedure by which appeals, writs of error, and other judicial proceedings necessary for the enforcement of civil rights may be prose cuted, they are powerless to secure their en forcement by the judgment of the courts of tho United Slates. it Is manifestly important, therefore, that an act shall be passed as speedily as possible erecting these Islands into a judicial district, providing for the appoint ment of a judge and other proper officers of the methods of procedure in appellate proceedings, and that the government of this newly ac quired territory under the federal constitution shall be fully defined and provided for. Alaska's Needn, A necessity for immediate legislative relief exists in the territory of Alaska. Substantial ly the only law provid ng a civil government for this territory is tlie act of May 17, 1M44. This is meager in i's provisions and is fitted only for the administration of affairs in a country sparsely inhabited by civilized people and unimportant in trade and production, as was Alaska at the lime this was passed. The increase in population by immigration during the past few years, consequent upon the dis covery of gold, has produced such a condition us calls for more ample facilities for local self government and more numerous conveniences of civil and judicial administration. Settle ments have grown up in various places, con stituting in point of population and business citii s of thousands of inhabitants, yet tie-re is no provision of law under which a municipal ity can be organized or maintained. Tnere is practically no organized form of government in the territory. There is no au thority, except in congress, to pass any law, no matter how local or trivial, and the ditll cuHv 'd conveying to congress an adequate conception and understanding of the various needs of the people in the different communi ties is easily understood. I see no reason why a more complete form of territorial organiza tion should not be provided. Porto Kico's <;»Yfrimienl. I recommend that legislation to the same end be had with reference to the government of Porto Rico Th" lime is ripe for the a (option of a temporary form of government for this island, and many suggestions made with refer ence to Alaska are applicable also in Porto Kico. The system of civil jurisprudence now adopted b.v the people of this island Is de scribed by competent lawyers who are familiar with it. as thoroughly modern and scientilic, so far us it relates to matters of internal bus iness. trade, production, and social and pri vate right in general. The cities of the island are governed under charters which, probably require very little or no change. So that with relation to matters of local concern and pri vate right, it is not probab e that mil di, if any. legislation is desirable; but with reference to public administration and the relations of ihe island lo the federal government, there are many matters which are of pressing urgency. The same necessity exists for legislation on the part of congress to establish federal courts and federal jurisdiction in the island as has been previously pointed out by me with refer ence to Hawaii It is desirable that the government of the island under the law of belligerent right now maintained through the executive department, should lie supersededbv an administration en tirely civil in its nature. For present purposes 1 recommend that congress pass a law for the organization of a temporary gover ment,which shall I rovide for the appointment by tlie president, subject to confirmation by the sen ale, of a governor anil such other officers as tlie general administration of the island may require, and that for legislative purposes upon subjects of a local nature not partaking of a federal character a legislative council, com posed partly of I'orto Kuans anil partly of citizens of the United States, shall be nomi nated and appointed by the president, their acts to be subject to the approval of congress or the president prior to going into effect. To tho municipalities and other local sub-divisions I recommend that the principle of local self government be applied at once. Presented to this congress are great oppor tunities. With them come great responsibili ty s. The power confided to us increases the weight of our obligations to the people, and we ust lie profoundly sensible of them as we contemplate the new and grave problems which ci nfroi.t us Aiming only at the public good, we cannot err A right interpretation of tho people's will and <>f duty cannot fail to insure wise ii ensures for the welfare of the islands which have evme under the authority of the United States and mure to the common inter ■st and lasting honor of our country. Never has this nation had more abundant cause than during the past year for thankfulness to Hod for manifold blessings and mercies, for which we make reverent acknowledgment- W11.1.1A.M MoIvINLEV. Saitt ISttiisloii ami llis Corns. l'rof. Hiram Corson, of Cornell uni* versil v. u In> iisetl to In* a reporter lor the tinted States senate, tells thid story about, Sam Houston: "We re porters took turn and turn about each for an hour. One day 1 was sitting idly in the reporters' gallery, waiting mv turn and looking on. Presently my attention was drawn by Senator Houston. Huge of frame, he was par ticularly huge of feet, and these ex tremities were rendered the more con spicuous in those days of hoots by be ing incased in laced shoes. On this occasion there seemed to be an amount of pain in those foci proportionate to their size. The senatoi kept one upon his knee, rubbing it,with an anguished expression, and periodically exoliang | injr for the other foot. After a while lie j unlaced his shoes and drew them off. lien the nursing of his aching toes continued for a time as before. Hut no relief came, and at last, to my utter amazement, he slowly divested himself of a long blue woolen stocking, and, taking the huge jaekknife with which he was wont to pass the time whit tling, he proceeded deliberately to ! pare his corns in tlie senate of the I t niteil States."—Hartford Post. Beef Olive* ami Anchovy. T'eef olives with anchovy forcemeat —Cut some olives of underdone under cut of a sirloin of beef. Make a force meat as follows: One hard-boiled egg, three, anchovies, washed and boned, a little parsley and lemon peel, ah chopped very fine, add a heaped tea spoonful of grated breadcrumbs an I the same of chopped suet. Hind thi* with a whole egg well beaten. Then spread a layer of the above forcemeats on each slice of ihe beef, roll it up ami wrap the beef in a thin slice of f;it ba con and stew gently. Serve with gravy and baktid tomatoes.- Hoston (!lob.». No I It call* m. "I thought you said this was a real istic novel." "Isn't it?" "Judge for yourself. It contains the statement that they were married nad j lived happily ever afierwaril."—-Cliia> I go Post. 3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers