THE SCRANTON TIUBUNE- WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER G, 1899.
11'
(system of managing tho forests of thn
Country Is being put In operation and
n. careful study of tho whole forestry
problem Is being conducted throughout
the United Stntes. A very extensive
nnd complete exhibit of tho agricul
tural and horticultural products of the
United Slates Is being prepared for tho
Paris exposition.
The Philippine Question.
On tho 10th of December, 1898, the
treaty of peace betwen tho United
States and Spain was signed. It pro
vided, among other things, that tSpnln
should rede to the United Stales the
nrchlpelngo known ns th. Philippine
lslandr. that the tilted States should
V nnv tn Htrnln the sum of MO.000.000
nnd that tho civil rlghM nnd political
etatus of the native Inhabitants of the
territories thus cedo to thn Unlt-'d
Htatcs should bo determined by con
gress. The treaty vas ratified by the
senate on February f 1893, and by
the government of Spain on Maich 19
following. The ratifications woro ox
changed on the 11th of Apill and the
treaty publicly proclaimed. On the
pecond of March tho congress voted
the sum contemplated by the treaty,
nnd the amount was paid over to the
Spanish government on ths llrst of
!uay
In this manner the Philippines came
to the United States. The Islands were
ceded by the government of Spain,
which had been In undisputed pos
eession of them for centuitcs. They
were accented not merely by our au
thorized commissioners In Paris, under
the direction of the executive, but by
the constitutional and wcll-consldcred
action of the representatives of tho
people of the United States in both
bouses of congress. I had every reason
to believe and I still believe that this
transfer of sovereignty was In accord
ance with the wishes nnd the aspira
tion of the great mass of the Fllloino
people.
From the earliest moment no oppor
tunity was lost of assuring the "ueoole
of the Islands of our ardent desire for
their welfare and of the Intention of
this government to do everything pos
sible to advance their Interests. In my
order of May 19, 189S. the commander
of the military expedition despatched
to the Philippines was Instructed to
declare that we came not to' make war
upon the people of that coNntry "nor
upon any party or fnctlon among them,
but to protect them In their homes, In
their employments, and In their per
sonal and religious rights." That there
should be no doubt as to the para
mount authority there on the 17th of
August It was directed that "there
must be no Joint occupation with the
Insurgents," "hat tho United States
must preserve nd protect persons and
property wlthlt. the territory occupied
by their military and naval forces;
that the Insurgents and all others must
recognize the military occupation and
authority of the United States.
As early as December 4, before the
cession and In anticipation of that
event, the commander In Manila was
urged to restore peace and tranquility
nnd to undertake the establishment of
a enelleent government, which should
afford the fullest security for life and
property.
On the 21st of December, nfter 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 yrotect the natives In their homes,
their employment and in their personal
religious lights." On the same day,
while ordeilng General Otis to see that
the peace he preserved In Ho Ho, he
was admonished that "It Is most Im
portant that there should be no con
tllct v Ith the Insurgents."
On the first day of January, 1W.
iirgent orders were reiterated tbnt tho
kindly Intentions of this government
should be in every possible way com
municated to tho insurgents.
Manila Commission.
On the 21st of January I announced
my intention of dispatching to Manila
a commission composed of three gen
tlemen of the highest character and
distinction, thoroughly acquainted
wl ,h the Orient, who. In association
with Admiral Dewey and Malor Gen
eral Otis, were Instructed "to facilitate
the most humane and effective exten
sion of authority throughout the islands
and to secure with the least possible
delay the benellts of a wise and gener
ous protection of life and property to
the Inhabitants."
These gentlemen were Dr. Jacob
Gould Schuiman. president of Cornell
university, the Hon. Charles Denby,
for many years minister to China, and
Professor Dean i . Worcester, of the
University of Michigan, who had made
n most careful Btudy of life tn fne
Philippines. While the treaty of peace
was under consideration In tho senate
these commissioners set out on their
mission of good will nnd liberation.
Their character was a sutllclent guar
antee of the beneficent purpose with
which they weni, even If they had not
borne the positive Instructions of this
government, which made their errand
pre-eminently one of peace and friend
ship. But before their arrival at Manila
the sinister ambition of a few lenders
of. the Filipinos had created a situation
full of embarrassment for us nnd most
jjrlevous In Its consequences to them
selves. The clear and Impartial pre
liminary report of the commissioners,
which I transmit herewith, gives such
lucid and comprehensive history of
the present Insurrectionary movement
that the story need not be here re
Seated. It Is enough to say that the
claim of the rebel leader, that he
was promised Independence by any
ofllcer of the United States in return
for his assistance, has no foundation
In fact, and Is contradicted by the very
witnesses who were called to prove It.
"What 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 off.
The Insurgent Leader.
The prompt accomplishment of this
work by the American army and navy
gave him other Ideas and ambitions,
and Insidious suggestions from various
tiuarters perverted the purposes and In
tentions with which he had taken up
nrms. No sooner had our army cap
tured Manila than the' Filipino forces
began to assum an attitude of sus
picion and hostility which the utmost
efforts of our officers nnd troops were
unable to disarm or modify. Their
kindness and forbearance were taken
is proof of cowardice. The aggres
sions of the Filipinos continually In
creased until finally, just before the
lime set by the senate of the United
States for a vote upon the trenty, an
vttack, evidently prepared In advance,
vas made all along the American lines,
which resulted In a terribly destruc
tive and sanguinary repulse of the in
lurgents. The Filipino Plot.
Ten days later an order of the Insur
pent government was issued to its ad
herents who had remained in Manila,
of which General Otis Justly observes
that "for barbarous Intent It Is un
tqualled In modern times," It directs
that at s o'clock on tho night of the
5th of February, the "territorial mili
tia" shall come together In the streets
of San Pedro, armed with their bolos,
wl(h guns nnd ammunition where con
venient; that Filipino families only
hall be respected; but that all other
Individuals, of whatever race they may
bo, Hhall bo exterminated without any
compassion, after tho extermination of
the army of occupation, and adds:
"Brothers, wo must avenge ourselves
on the Americans and exterminate
them that we mijy take our revenge
for the Infamies and treacheries which
they have committed upon us. Have
no compassion upon them; attack
with vigor."
A copy of this fell, by good fortune,
Into the hands of our ofllcers and th--vre
able to take measures to control
the rising, which was actually attempt
ed on tho night of February 22, n week
later than was originally contemplated.
Considerable numbers of armed Insur
gents entered the city by waterways
and swamns nnd In concert with con
federates lnsldo attempted to destroy
Manila by fire. They were kept In
check during the night nnd the next
day driven out of tho city with heavy
loss
This was the unhappy condition of
affairs which confronted our commls
Bloners on their nrrlval In Manila. They
had come with the hope and Intention
of co-operating with Admlrnt Dewey
nnd Major-General Otis In establishing
peace nnd order In the archipelago nnd
the largest measure of self-government
compatible with the true welfare of
tho people. What they actually found
can " est be set forth In their own
words:
War Unavoidable.
"Deplorable as war Is, the one In
which we are now engaged waB un
avoidable by us. We were attacked by
a bold, adventurous nnd enthusiastic
army. No alternative was left to us
except Ignominious retreat.
"It Is not to be conceived of that
any American would have sanctioned
the surrender of Manila to the Insur
gents. Our obligations tn other na
tions nnd to the friendly Filipinos nnd
to ourselves and our flag demanded
that force should be met by force.
Whatever the future of tho Philippines
may be, there Is no course open to us
now except the prosecution of the war
until the Insurgents are reduced to
submission. Tho commission Is of the
opinion that there has been no time
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron by Admlrnl Dewey when It
was possible to withdraw our forces
from the Islands either with honor to
ourselves or with safety to the inhabi
tants." Rebellion Must JJe Crushed.
The course thus clearly Indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued. The re
bellion must be put down. Civil gov
ernment cunnot be thoroughly estnb.
llshed until order Is restored. With a
devotion end pallnntry worthy of Its
most brllllrint history, the nrmy, ably
and loyally assisted by the navy, has
carried on this unwelcome but most
righteous cnmpalgn with richly de
served success. The noble self-sacrifice
with which our soldiers und sailors,
whose terms of t-crvlce hod expired,
lefusod to avail themselves of their
light to return home,' ns long as they
were needed at the front being tho
brightest pages In our annals. Al
though their operations 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 confidently to a speedy
completion of their task.
Island of Negros.
The unfavorable circumstances con
nected with an active campaign hnve
not been permitted to lnterfeie with
the equally Important work of recon
struction. Again I Invite your atten
tion to the leport of the commission
ers for the Interesting and encourag
ing details of the work already accom
plished in tho establishment ot peace
and older and the Inauguration ot self
governing murlclpal life In many por
tions of the archlpelngo. A notable
beginning has been made In the estab
lishment of a government In the Island
of Negios, which Is decervlng of special
consideration This was the first island
to accept American sovereignty. Its
people unreservedly proclaimed alle
giance to the United States and adopt
ed a constitution looking to the estab
lishment of a popular government. It
was Impossible to guarantee to the peo
ple of Negros that tho constitution so
adopted should be the ultimate form
of government. Such n question, un
der the treutj with Spain and In ac
cordance with our own constitution and
laws, came exclusively within the jur
isdiction of the congress. Tho govern
ment nctually set up by tho Inhabi
tants of Negros eventually proved un
satisfactory to tho natives themsslves.
A new system was put Into force by
order of tho major general command
ing the department, of which the fol
lowing are the most Important ele
ments: It was ordered that tho government
of the Island of Negros should consist
of a military governor appointed by
the United States military" governor of
the Philippines, and a civil governor
nnd an advisory council elected by the
people. The military governor was
authorized to appoint secretaries of
the treasury, Interior, agriculture, pub
lic Instruction, an attorney general and
an auditor. The s"at of government
was fixed at Hacalor. The military
governor exercises the supreme execu
tive power. He Is to see that the laws
are executed, appoint to ofllce and fill
all '-ncancles in olllce not otherwise
provided for, and may, with the ap
proval of the military governor of the
Philippines, remove any ofllcer from
ofllce. The civil governor ndvlses the
military governor on all public civil
questions and presides over the advis
ory council. He, In general, performs
the duties whlh are pel formed by sec.
retarles of state In our own system of
government.
The advisory council consists of eight
members elected by the people within
territorial limits which nre defined in
the order of the commanding general.
A to Election.
The times nnd places of holding elec
tions are to be fixed by the military
governor of the Island of Negioi. The
qualifications of voters as follows:
1. A voter must bo a male cltlzn of
the bland of Negros.
2. Of the ag(. of 2t yars.
3. He shall bo nbh, to speak, read
and write tho English, Spanish or Vis
nyan language, of he must own real
property worth $500. or pnv a rental
on real property of the value of Jl.OOi).
4. Ho must hnve icslded In tho isl
nnd not less than one year preceding,
and in the district In which ho oft'erri
t register as a voter not less than
three months preceding the time he of
fers to register.
C He must register at a time fixed
by law before voting.
C. Prior to such registration he shall
havo paid all tnxes due by him to
the government. Provided, that no In
sane person shall be allowed to regis
ter or vote.
Burden of Government.
The military governor has tho right
to veto all bills or rot-olutlons adopted
bv the advisory council, and his vote
is final If not disapproved by the mili
tary governor of the Philippines.
Tho advisory council discharges nil
the ordinary duties of u legislature.
The usual duties pertaining to said of
fices are to be performed by tho sec
retaries of the treasury, interior, agri
culture, public Instruction, the attor
ney general and the auditor.
Tho Judicial power Is vested In three
Judges, who are to bo appointed by
the mllltnry governor of the Island.
Inferior courts nro to be established.
Free public schools aro to bo estab
lished throughout the populous lh.
trlcts of tho Island, In which the Eng
lish language Is to be tuught, and this
subject will receive the careful con
sideration of the advisory council.
The burden cf government must be
distributed equally nnd equitably
among the people. The military mi
thorltles will collect and receive tho
customs revenue and will control po.
tal matters nnd Philippine Inter-Island
trade and commerce.
The mllltnry governor, subject to
the approval of the military governor
of the Philippines, determines nil
questions not specifically provided fo.
and which do not oomo under the Jur
Isdlctlon of the ndvlsory council.
Sulu Islands.
The nuthoiltles of tho Bulu islands
havo accepted the succession of the
United States to the rights of Spain
and our ling floats over tint territory.
On the tenth of August, 1S99, Brigadier
General Hates, United States volun
teers, negotiated nn agreement with
the sultan und his principal chiefs,
which I trnnsmlt herewith:
Hy article 10 sovereignty of tho Unit
ed States over tho whole archipelago
of Jolo nnd Its dependencies Is de
clared and acknowledged. The United
States flag will bo used in the archi
pelago mid Its dependencies, on land
and on sea. Piracy Is tn be suppressed,
and the sultan agrees to co-operate
heartily with the United States author
ities to that end nnd to make every
possible effort to arrest and bring to
lustlce all perons engaged In plrncy.
All trade In domestic products of th
archipelago of JMo when carried on
Willi any port of the Philippine Isl
ands nnd ' nder the American flag shall
bo free, unlimited and undutlnble. The
United States will give full protection
to the sultan In ense rtny foreign na
tion should attempt to Impose upon
him. The United States will not sell
tho Island of Jolo or nny other Island
of the archipelago to any foreign na
tion without the sultan's .consent.
Snlarles for tho sultan and his asso
ciates In the administration of tho
Islands have been agreed upon to the
amount of $it0 monthly.
Article 10 provides that any slave in
the archipelago of Jolo shall have the
right to purchase freedbm by paying
to the master the usunl market value.
The agreement 'n- General Hates was
made subject to confirmation by tho
president and to future modifications
by the consent of the partus in Inter
est. I hnve confirmed said agreement,
subject to the action of congress and
with the reservation, which I have di
rected shall bo communicated to tho
Sultan of Jolo, that this agreement Is
not to be deemed In any way to au
aufhorlze or give tho consent of the
United States to the existence of sla
very In the Sulu archipelago. I com
municate these facts to the congress
for Its Information and action.
Life In the Archipelago.
Kvervthjng Indicates that with tho
speedy suppression of the Tagalo re
bellion, life in the archipelago will soon
resume Its ordinary course under the
protection of our sovereignty, nnd the
people of those favored Islands will en
joy a prosperity and a freedom which
they have never before known. Al
ready hundreds of schools are open and
filled with children. Religious freedom
Is sacredly assured nnd enjoyed. The
United States courts are dispensing
justice. Business is beginning to circu
late In Its accustomed channels. Ma
nila, whose inhabitants were fleeing to
the country a few months ago, Is now
n populous and thriving market of
commerce. The earnest and unremit
ting endeavors of tho commission and
the admiral and major general com
manding the department of the Pacific
to assure 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 gov
ernment can only be found In a loyal
acceptance of tho authority of the
United Stntcs.
Cannot Desert Philippines.
The future government of tho Phil
ippines rests with the congress of tho
United States. Few graver responsi
bilities have ever been confided to us.
If we accept them in a spirit worthy
of our race and our traditions, a great
opportunity comes with them. The
Islands lie under the shelter of our
flag. They are ours by every title of
law and equity. They cannot be aban
doned. If we desert them, we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to
baibarlsm. We fling them, n golden
apple of discord, among the rival pow
ers, no one of which could permit an
other to seize them unquestioned.
Their rich plains and valleys would he
the scone of endless strife nnd blood
shed. The advent of Dewey's fleet In
Manila Bay, Instead of being, as we
hope, tho dawn of a new day of free
dom and progress, will havo been the
beginning of nn era of misery and vio
lence worse than any which has dark
ened their unhappy past. The sugges
tion has been made that we could re
nounce our authority over the Islands,
and giving them Independence, could
retain a protectorate over them. This
proposition will not be found, I am
sure, worthy of your serious attention.
Such an airangement would involve at
the outset a crim' brench of faith. It
Avnuld place the peaceable and loyal
majority, who ask nothing better than
to nccept our nuthorlty, at the mercy
of the minority of nrmed Insurgents.
It would make us responsible for the
acts of the Insurgent leaders and give
us no power to control them. It would
ehnrge us with tho task of protecting
them against each other and defending
them against any foreign power with
which they chose to quarrel. In short,
it would take from the congress of the
I nlted Stntes the power of declaring
war and vest that tremendous preroga
tive In the Tagal leader of the hour.
Freedom and Order.
It does not seem desirable that I
should commend at this time a specl
flj and final form of government for
these Island. When peace shall bo re
stored It will be th. dutv of congress
to construct a plan 1 1 government
which shall establish and maintain
freedom and order and peace in ill.;
Philippines. The Insurrection is still
existing, nnd when It terminates fur
ther information will by required ai
to the actual condition ot nffalis be
fore inaugurating a permanent scheme
of civil government. The full report
of tho commission, now In prepara
tion, will contain information and
suggestions which will be of value to
congress, and which I will trin3inlt
as soon as It is completed. As Ung
as the Insurrection rontlmiM the mlll
tnry nrm must necessarily be stiprf tne.
But there Is no reason whv steps
should not be taken from tlmo to time
to Inaugurate' governments essential
ly popular In their form as fat -is
territory Is held and controlled by
our troops. To this op.j t am consid
ering the advhwblllty if the ir-turn
of the commission, or 'inch of th mem
bets theieof as can his Meeuivd, t aid
the existing authorliljs and facilitate
mis work throughout the isl.mds. I
have believed that roconsttuetlou
rhould not begin hj llv- tstaoll-diment
of one central civil government for all
the islands, with Its nt at M.inlli,
but rather that the woik should be
commenced by building up from tho
bottom, first establishing municipal
governments und then provincial gov
ernments, n central government nt last
to follow.
Will Uphold the Flag.
Until congress shall have made
known the formal expression of its
will I shall use the authority vest.d
In me by the constitution and tha
statutes to uphold tho sovereignty ot
tho United Stales In these distant Isl
ands as in all other places where our
fWg rightfully floats. I shall put at
the disposal of tho army and navy all
the means which the liberality of con
gress and the ppople have provided to
cause this unprovoked and wasteful
Insurrection to cease. If any orders
of mine were requ'red to Insure tho
merciful conduct of military and naval
operations, they would not no lacking;
but every step of tho pi ogress of our
ttoops has been morkod hy a humanity
which has surprised even the misguid
ed Insurgents. The truest kindness to
them will be a swift and effective de
feat of their present lender. The hour
of victory will be tho hout of clemency
and reconstruction.
No cffoit will uo, spared to build up
tho waste places desolated hy war
and by long years of mlsgovcrnment.
We shall not wait for tho end o'
strife to begin the beneficent wprk.
Wo ehall continue, 3 we- havo begun,
to open tho schools and the churches,
to set the courts In operation, to foo
ter Industry and trade mid agriculture
and In every way In our power to
make these people whom providence
has brought within t.ur Jurisdiction
feel that It Is their liberty nnd not
our power, their wtlfnto and not our
gain, wo aro seeking to enhance. Our
flag hns never waved over any com
munity but In blessing. I believe the
Filipinos will soon recognize the fuct
that It has not tost lis gin ot oene
diction In its worldwide Journey to
their shores,
Hawaii.
Rome ombnrmsnment In administra
tion has occurred by reason of tin
peculiar status which the Hawaiian
iilands nt present occupy under the
Joint resolution of unnexatlon, ap
proved July 7, IMS.
While by that resolution the republic
of Hawaii, ns an Independent nation
was extinguished, Its sopnrate sover
eignty destroyed, nnd Its property and
possessions vested In tlu United States,
yet a complete establishment for ltd
government under our system was not
effected. While the municipal lvws of
the Islands not enacted for tho fulfill
ment ot 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 lntcrnnl affairs of tho Islands,
nnd do not touch many subjects of Im
portance which nre of a broader na
tional character. For example, the
Hawaiian republic was divested of all
title to the public lands In the Islands,
and Is not only unable to dispose of
lands to settlers desiring to take up
homestead sites, but Is without power
togIve complete title In cases where
lands have been entered upon under
lease or other conditions which carry
with them the right to the purchaser,
lessee or settler to have a full title
granted to him upon compliance with
the conditions prescribed by law or
by his particular agreement of entry.
Questions of doubt and difficulty
have also arisen with reference to the
collection of tonnnge tax on vessels
coming from Hawaiian ports; with
reference to the status of Chinese In
the Islands, their entrance and exit
therefrom; ns to patents and copy
rights; as to the register of vessels un
der the navigation laws; as to the ne
cessity of holding elections In accord
ance with the provisions of tho Ha
waiian statutes for the choice of vari
ous ofllcers, and ns to several other
matters of detail touching the Inter
ests both of the Island nnd of the fed
eral government.
By tho resolution of annexation the
president was directed to appoint five
commissioners to recommend to con
gress such legislation concerning the
Islands as they should deem necessary
or proper. These commissioners were
duly appointed, and after a careful In
vestigation and study of the system of
laws and government prevailing In Iho
Islands, nnd 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 the bill which
they prepared, was transmitted by me
to congress on Decfl C, 1S9S, but the bill
still nwalts final action.
The people of these Islands nre en
titled to the benefits nnd privileges of
our constitution, but In the absence of
any act of congress providing for fed
eral 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 prosecuted, they nre
powerless to secure their enforcement
by the Judgment of the courts of the
United States. It Is manifestly Im
portant, therefore, that an act shall be
passed as speedily as possible erect
ing these Islands Into a Judicial dis
trict, providing for the appointment of
a Judge and other proper officers nnd
methods of procedure In apDellate pro
ceedings and thnt the government of
this newly acquired territory under the
federal constitution shall be fully de
fined nnd provided for.
Alaska.
A necessity for Immediate legislative
relief exists In the territory of Alaska.
Substantially the only law providing
a civil govcrnnvnt for this territory
is the act of May J7, 1S34. This is
meagre in Its provisions, and Is fitted
only for the ndmlnlt-trntlon ot affairs
In a country sparsely inhabited by
civilized people and unimportant in
trad" and production, as was Alaska,
at the time this a-t passed.
The increase in population by emi
gration during the pat few yeaia.
consequent upon tho dlnovery of gold,
has produced such a rendition as calls
for more ample facilities for local self
government and more numerous con
veniences of civil and Judicial admin
istration. Settlements have grown up
In various places, constituting In poln:
of population nnd business cities of
thousands of Inhabitants, yet there :
no provision of lav; under which a
municipality can be organized or main
tained. In some localities the Inhabitants
have met together and voluntarily
formed a municipal organl7atlon for
the purposes of local government,
adopting the form of a municipal con
stitution and charter, under which said
cfllclals have hpon appointed; and or
dinances cienting and regulating a
police force, a tire department a de
pal tment of health, and making pro-
i vision for the carp of the lnsnne ond
undlgent poor and sick and for pub
i lie schools, have been passed. Thsi'
, proceedings and the ordinances passed
j by such municipalities are wl'hout
s-tatutoiy authority nnd have no sanc
tion, except as thev are maintained
by the popular cntlment of the com
munity. Theie Is on entlro abepce
of nuthorlty to provldi the ordinary
instruments of loral police control nnd
administration, the population con
sisting of the usual pen-entage of law
less adventurers of the class that al
ways flock to new fields of enterprise
or discovery and under circumstances
which requite more than ordinary pro
vion for the maintenance of peace,
good order nnd lawful tenduct.
The whele vast area of Alaska com
poses but one judicial district, with
one ludge, one marshal, and one dls
Ulct uttoiney, vet the civil and crimi
nal business has more than doubled
within the past year, and Is ninny
times greater In volume nnd import
ance than It was In 1SS4. The duties
of the Judge require him to travel
thousands of miles to discharge his Ju
dicial duties nt the various places
designated for that puipose. The ter
ritory should bo divided into at least
two districts, and an additional Judga.
i district attorney, marshal, and other
appioprlato ofllcers ne prnvioeu.
There Is practically no organized
form of government In the territory.
There Is no authority, expept In con
gress, to pass nny law, no matter how
local or trivial and the dlfllculty of
conveying to the congress an ndequato
conception and understanding of the
various needs of the people In the dif
ferent communities Is easily under
stood. I see no reason why a more
complete form of territorial organiza
tion should not be provided. Follow
ing the precedent established In tho
year 1S03, when a temporary govern
ment was provided for the recently ac
quired territory, then known under
the name of Louisiana, It seems to mo
that It would bo advantageous to con
fer greater executive power upon the
governor and to establish, ns wus done
In the case of tho territory of Louisi
ana, a legislative council having power
to ndopt ordinances which shall ex
tend to all the rlehtful subjects of lo
cal legislation, such ordinances not to
take effect until reported to and ap
proved by the congress If In session,
and If that body Is not In Besslon, then
by the president. In this manner a
system of laws providing for tho In
corporation and government of towns
and cities having a certain population,
giving them the power to eatubllsh
nnd maintain a system of education to
bo locally supported and ordinances
providing for police, sanitary and oth
er such purposes, could be speedily
provided.
I believe a provision of this kind
would he satisfactory to the people of
the territory. It Is probable that the
area Is too vast nno the population too
scattered nnd transitory to make It wise
at the present time to provldo for nn
elective legislative body, but the con-
i ui.iviis 1-aillUK IUI 1ULUI HUU-HUVU4 JlllVllk
will undoubtedly very soon exist, nnd
win oe facilitated by the measured
which I have recommended.
Porto Itlco.
I recommend that legislation to the
same end be had with reference to the
government of Porto nico. The time
Is ripe for the adoption of a temporary
form of government for this Island,
and many suggestions made with ref
erence to Alaska, are nppllcnble also
to Porto Itlco.
The system of civil jurisprudence
now adopted by the people of this
Island Is described by competent law
yers who are familiar with It, as thor
oughly modern and scientific, so far
as It relates to matters of Internal
business, trade, production and social
and private right In general. The
cities of tho Island nro governed un
der charters which probably require
very little or no change. So thnt with
relation to matters of local concern
and prlvnto right, It Is not probable
that much, If any. legislation Is desir
able; but with reference to public ad
ministration and the relations of the
Islnn to tho federal governmest.there
nre many matters which are of press
ing urgency. The same necessity ex
ists for legislation on the part of con
gress to establish federal courts and
federal Jurisdiction In tho Island as
has been previously pointed out by me
with reference to Hawaii. Besides the
administration of Justice, there are the
subjects of the public lands; the con
trol and Improvement of rivers and
harbors; the control of the waters or
streams not navigable, which, under
thepanlsh law belonged to the crown
of Spain, and have by the treaty of
cession passed to the United States;
the Immigration of people from foreign
countries; the Importation of contract
labor; the Imposition and collection of
Internal revenue; the application of tho
navigation laws; the regulation of the
current money; the establishment of
postofllces and post roads: the regula
tion of tariff rates on merchandise Im
ported from the Island into the United
States: the establishment of ports of
entry nnd delivery; the regulation of
patents and copyrights; these, with
various other subjects which rest en
tirely within the power of the congress,
call for careful consideration and Im
mediate action.
It must be hornn In mlnrl 11,01 i...
the cession Porto Blcn hns been de '
nled the principal markets she had
long enjoyed and our tariffs have b-en I
continued against her products "ns
when she wns under Spanish sov
ereignty. The markets cf Spain are
closed to her product." except upon
terms to which the commerco of all
nations is subjected. The Island of i
Cuba, which ued to buy her cnttl-
and tnbncco without customs dutlos,
now Imposes the same duties upon
these products ns from anv other
country entering her ports. She haa
therefore lost her fr?p Intercourse
with Spain and Cuba without nnv (
compensating benefits In the market
Her coffee was little known nnd net
In 11SO llV riltr rtMntn nn.t ,1. -,r I
... .. t.. .,,.., .lv, i,,.-, t.lul-i,
there was no demand here for this,
one of her chief products. The mar
kets of the United States should be
opened up to her products. Our pUIn
duty Is to abolish all customs tariffs
between the United States and Porto
nico and give her products free ac
cess to our markets.
As a result of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Itlco on the 8th of
Aueust. 1899, ov.er 100,000 people were
leduced to absolute destitution, with
out homes nnd deprived of the nces-sarI".s-of
life. To the appeal of tho
war department, the people of the
United Stntes made rrempt and gener
ous response. In nddltlon to the pri
vate charity of our people the war
department he.s expended for the re
lief of the distressed M92.1I2 fi.1, which
does not Include the ccst of transpor
tation. It Is desirable that the government
of the island und-r the law of belliger
ent right, now maintained through the
executive department, should be super
seded by on administration entirely
civil in Its nature. For present pur
poses I recommend that congress pass
a law for the organization of a tem
porary government which shall pro
vide for the appolntment-hy the presi
dent subject to confirmation by tho
senate, of a governor nnd such other
ofllcers as the general administration
of the Islnnd may require, and that
for legislative purposes upon subjects
of a local nature not partaking of a
federal character a legislative council,
composed pattly of Porto ltlcans ami
partly of citizens of the Unltd States,
shall be nominated by the president,
subject to cinfiimatlon by the senate,
their acts to be subject to the ap
proval of the cong)es3 or the president
prior to going Into effect. In the mu
nicipalities nnd other local sub-divisions
I recommend that the principal
ot local self government be nppilcd at
once, so as to enable the Intelligent
citizens of the Islnnd to participate In
their own government and to learn by
ptaetlcal experience the duties and re
quirements of a elf contained and
self governing people. I have not
thought It wise to commit tho entlro
government of the lslund to olllcers
sc-lecfcd by the people, because I doubt
whether In habit, training and v
petlence they are such ns to fit them
to exercise at once such large degree
of self government- but It is my Judg
ment and exrectatlon that they will
oon arrive ut nn attainment of an
experience and wirdom and self con
trol that will Justify conferring upon
them a much larger participation in
the choice of their Insular ofllcers.
The fundamental lequlrement for
these people, ns for all people, Is edu
cation. The free school house Is th"
best preceptor for citizenship. In the
Introduction of modern educational
methods caie, however, must be exer
cised that changes be not made too
abrutly and that the history ond racial
peculiarities of the Inhabitants shall
be given due weight. Systems of edu
cation In these new possessions found
ed upon common sonde methods, adapt
ed to existing conditions and looking
to the future moral and Industrial ad
vancement of the people, will commend
to them In a peculiarly effective man
ner the blessings of free government.
The love of law and tho sense of
obedience nnd submission to the law
fully constituted judicial tribunals are
embedded In the hearts of our people,
and nny violation of these sentiments
and disregard of their obligations Just
ly nrouses public condemnation. The
guarantees of life, liberty, nnd of civil
rights should be faithfully upheld; the
right of trial by Jury respected and de
fended. Lynching Condemned.
The rule of the courts should nssure
the public of the prompt trial of those
charged with criminal offenses, and
upon conviction the punishment 3hould
bo commensurate with the enormity
of the crime.
Those who, tn dlsregnrd of law and
the public peace, unwilling to await
the Judgment of a court nnd Jury, con
stitute themselves judges and execu
tioners, should not escape the severest
penalties for their crimes.
What I said In my Inaugural ad
dress of March 4, 1697, I now repent;
"The constituted authorities must be
cheerfully and vigorously upheld.
Lynchlngs must not bo tolerated In u
great und civilized country like the
United States. Courts, not mobs, must
execute the penalties of the laws.
The preservation of public order, the
right of discussion, tho Integrity of
courts, and the orderly administration
of Justice must continue forever the
rock of safety upon which our govern
ment securely rests."
In accordance with the act of con
gress providing for an appropriate na
tional celebration In the year J900 of
the establishment ot the seat of gov
ernment In the District of Columbia, I
iK5C55XK5?;050:X50CKK
DIPHTHERIA
We will thoroughly renovate
your house after sickness, using
generated Formaldehyde Ons, the
best known germ.icide and disin
fectant. Our work is effectual and
charges reasonable.
seo!5oeo!0o50;S
The Wonder of the
Flour Trade !
5UnE to biseA Mvdi
S6r2ETRinfCC
To Depend on
, L, GOMNELL & GO., sole millers' acents
SsmoUnsoa neodo a rol labia, moathlr, rsgnletlnc medlclno. Onl 7
Uoi,urestdrurBhoalabnJ. Ifjoa want Iho U,
EBFo Psai's
They aro prompt, oafo and certain In result.
The recuinn CDr. I'cal'sl never
Hu:i .ur, 1 eai sj uuvci-
For Salo b JOHN
Spruce stroM.
H. PHELPS,
have appointed a committee consisting
of the governors of all the states and
territories of the United States, who
have been Invited to assemble In the
city of Washington December 21, 1S99.
which, with the committees of the con
gress and the District of Columbia are
charged with the proper conduct of
this celebration.
Congress nt Its last session apnro
prlated $3,000 to cnnble the chief of en
gineers of the army to continue the
examination of the subject nnd to make
or secure designs, calculations nnd es
timates for a memorial bridge from
the most convenient point of tho naval
observatory grounds, and adjacent
thereto, ncross the Potomac river to
the must convenient point of the Ar
lington estate property.
In accordance with the provisions of
this net the chief of engineers has se
lected four eminent bridge engineers
to EUbmlt competitive designs for a
bridge combining the elements of
strength and durability nnd such ar
chitectural embellishment and orna
mentation as will fifty apply to the
dedication, "a memorial to Ameilcan
patriotism," The designs nre now bo
'ingvprepnred. and ns soon as completed
will be submitted to the congres3 b
tb secretary of war.
The proposed bridge would be a con
venience to nil the people from every
part of the country who visit the Na
tional cemetery, nn ornament to the
capltol of the nation und forever stand
us a monument to American patriotism.
I do not doubt that congress will give
to the enterprlbe still further proof of
Its favor and approval.
Civil Service.
The executive order of May 3, 1S9C,
extending the limits of the classified
service bt ought within the operation
of the civil service law and rules near
ly all of the executive civil service
rules nearly all of the executive civil
service not previously classified.
Some of the inclusions weie found
whollv Illogical and unsulted to tho
work of the several departments. Tho
application of tho rules to many of
the places so Included was found to
rehult In friction nnd embarrassment.
After lung and very careful considera
tion It became evident to tho heads of
the departments, responsible for their
ctllclency, that In order to remove these
difficulties and promote an elllclent
and harmonious administration, cer
tnln amendments were necessary.
These amendments were promulgated
by me In executive order date 29, 1S99.
The principal purpose or the order
was to except from cumpetlWve exami
nation certain places Involving lldulc
ary responsibilities- or duties of a
strictly confidential, scientific, or ex
ecutive character, which It was thought
might better be tilled cither by non
competitive examination, or in the dis
cretion of the appointing olllce, than
by open competition. These places
were comparatively few In number.
The order -vldes for tho filling of ,1
much larger number of places, mainly
In the outside places of the war depart
ment by what Is known as the registra
tion system under regulations to be ap
proved by the resident similar to
those which have proiuced such admir
able results In tho navy yards service.
All of the amendment hnve for their
main object a more efficient nnd satis
factory administration of the system
of appointments established by the
civil service law. The results attained
show that under their operation the
public service has Improved nnd that
tho civil service system Is relieved of
many objectionable features which
hcietofore sublected It to Just criti
cism and the administrative olllcers to
the charge of unbpslncspllke methods
In the conduct of public nffnlis. It Is
believed that the merit system has
been greatlv strengthened and Its per
manence neaurcd. It will bo my con
stant aim In the administration of
government in our new possessions to
mnUo fitness, chnrncter nnd merit es
sential to nppolntment to ofllce, and
to give to the capable and deserving In
habitants preference In appointments.
The 14th of December will be tho
hundredth anniversary of the death of
3v
THE
SCRANTON BBDDINQ
COMPANY.
See if your neighbors have
better bread than you. If so,
you will find they use
WHY NOT BUY THE BEST?
IT COSTS NO MORE,
Wonder Flour is sure to rise
in the popularity of the pub
lic. It can be depended upon
at all times.
Don't buy poor flour; buy
Wonder.
WONDER
FLOUR
IVERY WOMAW
h jrmloafl 2Sd
get
PsBiraS PSIfla
uiquijuiuu ..
disappoint. Bold for ?1.00 per box.
Pharmacist, ccr.
Wyoming avenuo and
EV1TA FILLS
Restore Vitality, Lost Vigor and Manhood
Curo 1 m potency, Night Emissions, Loss of Mem.
ory, nn nunc uisenccs,
nllctfoctsof rolf-abiiso or
oxers- nnd indicretlon.
A nerve tonlo and
blood builder, iirinps
cheeks and restores tlio
tiro of youth. Hy mail
50a nor box. 6 boxes for
$2.60, with our bankable gaurantee to cure
or refund the money paid. Bend for circular
nml copy of our bankable guarantco boud.
NerviiaTabletsS
(yellow laded Immediate Results
Positively guaranteed curo for Los of Power,
Varicocole, Umlovelopod or Shrunken Organs,
Paresis, Locomotor Ataxia, Nervous Protra
tinn, Hystcrin, i'ita, Insnnity. Paralysis and tho
llcsults of Kxcosilvo Uso of Tobacco, Opium or
Liquor. By matt in plain pncltnco, 81-00 a
box, O for $5.00 with our bankable guar
anteo bond to cure in SO days or refund
money paid. Address
NERVITA MEDICAL CO.
Clinton & Jackson Sts., CHICAGO, ILU
Sold by McGarrah & Thomas, Drug
gists,, -0J Lackawanna ave., Scranton, Pa.
Washington. For a hundred years tho
republic has had the priceless advant
age of tho lofty standard of character
nnd conduct which be bequeathed to
the American people. It la an Inherit
ance which time, Instead of wasting It,
continually Increases and enriches. Wo
may Justly hope that In the years to
001110 the benignant influence of the
father of his country may bo even
more potent for good than in the cen
tury which is diawlng to a close. I
have been glad to learn that In many
parts of the country the people will
tlttingly observe this historic anniver
sary. Presented to this congress are great
opportunities. With themi come great
responsibilities. The power confided to
us increases the weight of our obliga
tions to the people, and we must be
profoundly sensible to them as we con
template the new and grave problems
which confront us. Aiming only at tho
public good, we cannot err. A right
Interpretation of the people's will and
of dutv cannot fall to insure wise
measures for the welfare of the Islands
which have come under the authority
ot the United States and Inure to the
common Interest nnd lasting honor of
our country. Never has this nation had
more abundant cause than during the
past yenr for thankfulness to .God for
manifold blessings and mercies, for
which we make reverent acknowledge
ment. WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Dee. C, 1S99.
Deafness Cannot Be Cured
by local applications ns they cannot reach
tho diseased portion of tho cur. Then, Is
tinlv one wny to euro deafness, nnd that
is by constitutional rant-dim. DeufiK-un
is caused bv nn lnllameil condition of tho
mucous lining of the Eustachian Tube.
When this tube In Inflamed you havo a.
riniiini wound or Imperfect hcarlntr. und
! when It Is entirely closed, Deafness Is
I the tciult. ,md unless til- Inflainmallun
can be ioncn uui mm mm iiiuu ri-Binrcu
to Its normal condition, hearing will be
destroyed foreer, nine cases out of ten
rnd cnuscd y Catarrh, which Is nothing
but nn tnllumcd condition of the mucous
fiirfacc-.
Wi- will glvo One Hundred Dollars for
nny csiso of Deafness (caused by catarrh)
that cannot be cured by Hall's Catarrh
Cure. Hend for circulars, free.
F. J. CIIKNBV & CO.. Toledo, O,
Hold by DrugKlsts, "Be.
Hull's Family l'llls are the best.
A VKTKHAN'B STOnV.-OeorKO Ixwls,
ot Shuniukln. I'u.. writes: "I urn eighty
years of ago. I have been troubled with
Catarrh for llfty years, mid in my tune
have used u great n.r,ny cutarrh cures,
but never hud liny ri-ltef until 1 used' Dr.
Agncw'H Cnturrlml Powder. One box
cured 1110 completely. " Bold by Matthews
Uros. und W. T. Cli.rk.-62.
is
6O
PILLS
50
CTS.
n$ &
!im
v V
4 V