The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-12-21
Wooded LeEfslntfon for Hawaii

Needed Legislation fof h""h
The president urges speedy action
on the bill creating 1.-The territory OF
Hawaii" and calls attention 10 the
necessity for immediate legislative re,
lief for Alaska. He believes II Woulu
be advantageous to CONFER srea'eI
executive power upon the governor anu
to establish. as was done In the case
of the territory of Louisiana. an eA-
ecutiye council having power to adopt
ordinances which shall extend 10 All
the rightful subjects of local leglsia-
tion. such ordinances not to take Ell
foot until reported to and approved
nv the congress If in session. and II
that bodv is not in session, then by
the president"
The president also recommends SIM
liar action for the government of Porto
Rico. calling attention to the necessity
of establishing federal courts, ports
of entry and delivery, the extension or
education, etc, and declares further:
1t must be borne in mind that since
the cession Porto Rico has been denieo
the principal markets she had long en-
loved and our tariffs have been con-
tinued against her products as when
she was under Spanish sovereignty.
The markets of Spain are closed 10
her products except upon terms TO
which the commerce OF all nations Is
subjected. The Island of Cuba. which
used to buy her cattle and tobacco
without customs duties, now imposes
the same duties upon these products
as from any other country entering her
ports. She has therefore lost her free
intercourse with Spain and Cuba with
out any compensating benefits in this
market.
Anent lynchers the president says:
Those who, in disregard of law and
the public peace, unwilling to await
the judgment Of courts and jury, con-
stitute themselves judges and execu-
TONERS should not escape the severest
penaltieG for their crimes. The con-
stituted authorities must be cheer
fully and vigorously upheld. Lynch
ingS must not be tolerated in a great
country like the United States. Courts.
not mobs, must execute the penalties
of the laws.
The Washington Celebration.
Referring to the celebration next
year of the establishment Of the seat
of government in Washington the
president strongly approves the cree
ton of the proposed memorial bridge
across the Potomac to the most con-
venient point of the Arlington estate
| property.
Regarding the presidential order of
May 6. 1896, extending the limits of
the classified service, and subsequent
| amendments Of May 90, 1899, the presi-
dent says:
All of the amendments had for their
main object a more efficient and sat
isfactory administration of the syS-
tenn of appointments established by the
civil service law The results at
tanned show that under their operation
the public service has improved and
that the civil service system is re-
lieved Of many Objectionable features.
After referring to the Tooth anniver-
sary of the death of George Washing
ton, on the 18th inst, the message con-
cludeS:
| Presented to this congress are great
opportunities. With them come great
! responsibilities. The power confided to
/ us increases the weight of our obliga-
tions to the people, and we must be
profoundly sensible of them as we con-
template the new and grave problems
] which confront us. Aiming only at the
public good, we cannot err. A right in
/ depreciation of the peoples will and of
duty cannot fail to insure wise meas
ures for the welfare of the islands
] which have come under the authority
| C the United States, and insure to the
common interest and lasting honor of
| our country.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Dec. S, 1899