Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-12-09

flag. They are ours by every title
OF law and equity. They cannot be
abandoned. II we desert them we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to
barbarism. We fling them a golden
apple of discord, among the rival pow.
ers, no one OF which could permit an /
other to seize them unquestioned.
The suggestion has been made that i
we could renounce our authority over L
the islands and, giving them indie
pendence, could retain protectorate |
over them. This proposition Will not /
be found, I am sure. worthy OF your /
serious attention. Such an arrange
ment would involve at the outset a |
cruel breach of faith. 1t would make |
us responsible for the acts of the in
surgent leaders and give us no power
to control them.
Until congress shall have made
known the formal expression Of its
will I shall use the authority vested
in me by the constitution and the
statutes to uphold the sovereignty of
the United States in those distant ISL
| ands as in all other places where our
| flag rightfully floats. Every step of
| the progress of our troops has been
/ marked by humanity which has sur
| prised even the misguided insurgents.
\ The truest kindness to them will be
a swift and effective defeat OF their
| present leader. The hour of victory
/ will be the hour OF clemency and re-
L construction.
Needed Legislation for Hawaii
The president urges speedy action
on the bill creating 1.-The Territory of
Hawaii" and calls attention to the
| necessity for immediate legislative re-
lief for Alaska. He believes it would
be advantageous to confer greater
| executive power upon the governor and
to establish, as was done in the case
of the territory of Louisiana, an ex-
ecutive council having power to adopt
ordinances which shall extend to all
the rightful subjects of local legisla-
ton, such ordinances not to take eff
feet until reported to and approved
by the congress If in session, and if
that body 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 OF
education, etc, and declares further:
1t must be borne in mind that since
the cession Porto Rico has been denied
the principal markets she had long en-.
: | joyed and our tariffs have been con
: ! tinued against her products as VIII
| she was under Spanish sovereign
: l The markets of Spain are closed
her products except upon terms
. | which the commerce of all nations
: | subjected. The Island of Cuba, viii
; used to buy her cattle and tobacco
. | without customs duties, now impose
: the same duties upon these product
= as from any other country entering he
= | ports. She has therefore lost her fire
Il intercourse with Spain and Cuba with
out any compromising benefits in thi
e market.
10 Anent lynchers the president says:
Those who, in disregard of law an
? the public peace unwilling to avail
Ia | the judgment of courts and jury, con
- stitute themselves judges and execu
~ TONERS should not escape the severes
g. penalties for their crimes. The con
>. stituted authorities must be cheer
"a fully and vigorously. upheld. Lynch
~ ings must not be tolerated in a grea
70 country like the United States. Court
40 not mobs. must execute the penaltie
of the laws.
The Washington Celebration.
Referring to the celebration ne,
year of the establishment of the ses
% of government in Washington III
u president strongly approves the ere
tion of the proposed memorial brida
a across the Potomac to the most col
u venient point of the Arlington estai
= property.
Regarding the presidential order
May 6. 1896, extending the limits
the classified service, and subsequel
es amendments of May %, 1899, the pres
D dent says:
~ All of the amendments had for the
"a main object more efficient and so
~ isfactory administration of the sly
. tenn of appointments established by 4
civil service law. The results 8
- tanned show that under their operate
- the public ser ice has improved 81
- that the civil service system is !
IA lieveG of many Objectionable feature
After referring to the Tooth annivt
-, sary of the death of George Washin
o ton, on the 14th inst, the message CO
~ cludes:
Presented to this congress are gre
~ opportunities. With them come gre
o. responsibilities. The power confided
30 us Increases tn = weight OF our oDlil
81 tions to the people. and We must
profoundly sens ible of them as we CT
Ign template the new and grave profile
ne which confront us. Aiming only at [
OuI public good, we cannot err. A right
OK depreciation of the peoples will and
1ali duty cannot fail to insure wise me
urn ures for the welfare of the islaI
at which hove come under tbo outbor
test 80 tha T1-,itaS ctotas ond 5nSrra e.,
leir common Interest and Iastine honor
- our country.
hey E,xacutsva Mansion Dec < 1909
ion