Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-08


no power to control them. 1t would
charge us with the 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
United States the power Of declaring
war and invest that tremendous pre-
rogative in the Tagal leader of the hour.
II does not seem desirable that
should recommend at this time a spe-
eifc and final form Of government for
these islands. When peace shall be
restored 1t will be the duty of congress
to construct a plan OF government,
which shall establish and maintain free
dom and order and peace in the Phil
ippines. The instruction is still ex-
listing, and when 1t terminates further
information will be required as to the
actual condition of affairs before inau-
gurating a permanent scheme of civil
government. AS long as the insurrec-
ton continues the military arm must
necessarily be supreme. But there is
no reason why steps should not be
taken from time to time to inaugurate
governments, especially popular in their
form, as fast as territory is held and
controlled by our troops. To this end
I am considering the advisability OF the
return of the commission, or such of the
members thereof as can be secured, to
aid the existing authorities and facili-
tate this work throughout the islands.
I have believed that reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment
of one central civil government for all
fgIa de xryifh &c at No NIL b,,N
rather that the work should be com
menced by building up from the bottom,
FIRST establishing municipal govern
ments, and then provincial governments,
a central government at last to fol-
low.
Until congress shall have made known
the formal expression Of its will, shall
use the authority vested in me by the
constitution and statutes to uphold the
sovereignty of the United States in
those distant islands, as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats.
] shall put at the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the lib
crafty of congress and the people have
provided to cause this unprovoked and
wasteful insurrection to cease. II
any orders of mine were required to
insure the merciful conduct OF military
and naval operations. they would not
be lacking, but every step OF progress
Of our troops has been marked by a
humanity which has surprised 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
slemency and reconstruction.
HAWAII.
Concerning Hawaii. the message says:
1t is manifestly important that an act
shall be passed as speedily as possible
erecting these islands into a judicial
district, providing for the appointment
Of a judge and other proper officers. and
methods Of procedure in appellate pro-
ceedings. and that the government Of
this newly acquired territory under the
federal constitution shall be fully de-
fined and provided for.
ALASKA.
A necessity for immediate legislative
| relief exists in the territory OF Alaska.
| Substantially the only law providing a
| civil government for this territory is the
| act of May Z, 1884 This is meagre In
| Its provisions and is fitted only for the
| administration of affairs in a country
| sparsely inhabited by civilized people
| and unimportant in trade and produc-
| ton, as was Alaska at the time this act
| was passed. There is no authority, ex-
cept in congress, to pass any law. no mat
ter how trivial. l see no reason
why a more complete form of territorial
organization should not be provided. en-
| Of In, o.
the Incorporation and government Of
towns and cities having a certain popu-
lation, giving them the power to estab-
lish and maintain a system OF educa-
ton to be locally supported. and ord
tnances providing for police, sanitary
and other purposes.
PORTO RICO.
l 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 a temporary
form Of government for this island. The
system OF civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people of this island is
described by competent lawyers, who
are familiar with II, as thoroughly
modern and scientific, as far as it re-
lates to matters of internal business,
trade, production and social and pri-
vate rights in general. The cities of the
island are governed under charters,
which probably require little or no
change. So, that with relation to mat
tiers of local concern and private right
II is not probable that much, IL any, leg
islation is desirable; but with reference
to public administration and the rela-
tons Of the island to the federal govern
ment, there are many matters which are
Of pressing urgency. Since the cession
Porto Rico has been denied the prin-
cipal markets she has long enjoyed, and
our tariffs have continued against
her products as when she was under
Spanish sovereignty.
The markets of the United States
should be opened up to her products
Our plain duty IL to abolish all customs
tariffs between the United States and
Porto Rico, and give her products free
access to our markets.
1t is desirable that the government
of the island under the law of belligerent
right, now maintained through the de.
partment of executive, should bt
superseded by the administration en-.
tirely civil in its nature. For present
purposes 1 recommend that congress:
pass a law for the organization of 6
temporary government, which shall pro.
vide for the appointment by the pres
ident, subject to confirmation by tn,