The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-29
WE MUST GOVERN JUSTLY.


As far as anyone can now see we shall
have Cuba and the Philippines on our
hands for long time. the Philippines long
er than Cuba. What kind Of a government
can we give them? BY that we mean, can
we govern them honestly and justly? If
we can We shall not have very much trou-
bic with them after we have once estab-
llshed firmly our authority there. Both the
Cubans and Fnip.nos revolted against
Spanish rule because the government
which Spain gave them was neither just
nor honest. The aim of Spain was to get
out Of her colonies all that she could, and
the Spanish officials were corrupt and add
ed greatly to the burdens Of the people.
Can we give the Cubans and Filipinos
government that will be both honest and
just and will not impose upon them ex-
cessive taxation? We can, provided the
merit system is adopted In appointing Of
flcials 10 administer and execute the laws
we shall adopt for the islands. If, how
ever. appointments are made under the
spoils system, the heelers and henchmen of
the politicians will be sent to Cuba and
the Philippines, and we shall have a con-
dition of affairs there similar to that which
existed when the Spaniards were in con-
troll
1t may be said that this view is incor-
rect-that there is no foundation for it.
Could we expect greater honesty from the
class of men who would be sent to the is
lands under the spoils system than get
the federal, state and municipal offices at
home? Would not our officials in those
islands be more likely to be corrupt, be-
ing removed from the restraining influence
of public sentiment, than officials at home?
In how many cities In all this land is
there honest government at present? The
number is very small if the complaints
which are made are well founded. Only
the other day, one of the leading papers of
Philadelphia declared it would be bless
ing if that city could have such a man at
the head of its affairs as Gen. Wood of
Santiago. We must give both Cuba and the
Philippines honest government, and jus
tice in the administration of their affairs,
or we shall be at war with their people all
the time.
WIN Congress provide that the officials
for these islands shall be appointed for
their fitness alone or win ID insist that it's
members shall parcel out the offices among
their relatives and followers? our sue
cess in governing the possessions we have
received from Spain depends upon the
answer that will be made to this ques-
ton. If We adopt the spoils system we
shall fail, as Spain failed. If We send
thoroughly honest and capable men to ad-
minister the affairs of the islands we shall
probably succeed as England succeeds
with her colonies.
We can make the Cubans and the Filipi-
nos glad that we succeeded the Spaniards
in governing them, or we can make them
sorry for the day when the Spanish flag
was hauled down. If the people are con-
suited they win insist that the recommen-
dations of the politicians shall be wholly
disregarded in making appointments for
our new possessions. They don't want con-
tinual trouble with thep, and, besides, they
want independent governments established
in them as soon as practicable. The politi-
clans. however, will insist upon naming
all of the officials as they did in naming
the officers of the volunteer army in the
war with Spain. In naming officers for
the volunteer army merit was disregarded
in most instances, and that would be the
case under the spoifs system in appoint
ing men to administeR government offices
In Cuba and the Philippines.