The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-12-06

community but in nles.ing. believe ne tlll- ~
plnos will soon recognize the fact that y bee
not lost its gift Of beuedlction 10 ~ world
wide journey 70 their shores
Hawaiian Affairs.
Some embarrassment IN administration has
occurred ty reason q the peculiar status which
the Hawaiian islands at present occupy andor
the joint resolution OF annexation approved
July7, 1893 While by that resolution the re-
public OF Hawaii as an independent nation vas
stroyed. and is properly and possessions
vested in the United States, yet complete es-
tablishment for Its government under our ayB-
TEN Is not effected. While the municipal laws
OF the islands not enacted for the fnlhllment
Of treaties and not Inconsistent with the joint
resolution or contrary 70 the constitution Of
the United States OF any OF its treaties remain
In force, yet these laws relate only 70 the social
and internal Affairs Of the Islands. ana do not
touch many subjects OF Importance which are
Of broader national character.
BY the resolution Of annexation the presi-
ers TO recommend 70 congress such legislation
concerning the Islands IS they should deem
necessary or proper. These commi i%sionerS
were duly appointed, and after careful inves-
tlgation Of the system Of laws and governments
provided in the Islands and OF the conditions
existing there. they prepared bill 20 provide
q government under the title Of "'fhe Territory
Of Hawaii The report OF the commission,
mitted by me to congress on December Q, 1883,
bnt the bill stlll awaits final 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
q procedure by which appeals. Writs OF error.
and other judicial proceedings necessary for
the enforcement Of civil rights may be prose-
cuted, they arc powerless 70 secure their en-
f0rcement by the judgment Of the courta OF the
United STATES 1t Is manifestly important.
therefore. that an act shall be passed As
speedily as possible erecting these Islands into
q judicial district, providing for the appoint
ment OF q Judge and other proper on1cers 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.
Alaslka's Needs.
A necessity for immediate legislative relief
exists In the territory Of Alaska Substantial
| ly the only law provid ng q civil governments
for this territory Is the act OF May H. 1854.
This Is meager In It's provisions and Is lifted
only for the administration OF anairs In a
country sparsely inhabited by civilized people
and unimportant In trade and production, as
was Alaska at the time this was passed. The
| increase in population by immigration during
the past few years. consequent upon the dis
| coyery Of gold, has produced such o conditlOn
as calls for more ample facilities tor 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
cities OF thousands Of inhabitants, yet there Is
no provision OF law under which . municipal
| lty can be organized or maintained.
| There IS practically no organized form Of
government in the territory There Is no au-
| thority, except in congress- 70 pass any law,
no matter how local or trivial and the dim
| Guilty OF conveying TO congress an adequate
! conception and understanding Of the various
1 needs OF tho people in the different communi-
ties is easily understood. see no reason why
| a more complete form OF territorial organiza-
| ton should not be provided
Porto RIeO,s Governments.
recommend that Legislation to the same end
| be had with reference TO the government OF
Porto Rico The time is ripe for the adoption
| Of o temporary form OF government for this
| island. and many suggestions made with refer
ence 10 Alaska are applicable also In Porto
Rico
The system Of civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people Of this island Is de-
scribed by competent lawyers who are familiar
with IL, as thoroughly modern and scientihc,
so far as II relates TO matters OF internal bus
mess 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 prt-
yate right 1t is not probable that mueh. II any.
legislation is desirable: but with reference 70
public administration and the relations OF the
island to the federal government, there are
many matters which are Of pressing urgency.
The same necessity exists for legislation on
the mart OF congress 10 establish federal courts
and federal Jurisdiction in the island as mas
been previously pointed out by me with refer
ence to Hawaii
1t Is desirable that the government Of the
island under the law OF belliRerent right now
maintained through the executive department,
should be superseded by an administration en-
tirely civil In its nature. For present purposes
/ recommend that congress pass law for the
organization OF a temporary COVER ment, which
I shall provide for the appointment by the
president, subject to confirmation by the SEN
ate, Of q governor and such other officers az
the general administration Of the island may
require, and that for legislative purposes upon
subjects OF a local nature not partaklng OF Q
federal character legislative council, COM
posed partly Of Porto Ricans and partly Of
citizens OF the United States, shall be nomi-
mated and appointed by the president, thetI
acts TO be subject to the approval OF congress ol
! the president prior 10 going into effect To the
municipalities and other local subdivisions
recommend that the principle OF local self
government be applied at once
Presented to this congress are great oppor-
tunities With them come great responsibLli'
ties The power confided to US increases tht
weight OF our obligations TO the people, and w
| must be profoundly sensible Of them as We
| contemplate the new and grave problems which
, confront US Aiming only at the public good
we cannot err A right Interpretation Of Tho
peoples will and OF duty cannot fail to insure
, wise measures for the welfare OF the islands
which have come under the authority Of the
United States and inure 70 the common inter
| est and lasting honor OF our country. Nevel
has this nation had more abundant cause thai
during the past year for thankfulness to Coo
for manifold blessings and mercies, for which
we make reyerent acknowledgment
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.