The record-union., 1899-12-07
business house; as well it is the life o
the spurious trade journal

dlllQ WllctL Ills pIcQCCCSSOi ciShONt AZ 80
islation to correct these abuses; to re-
strict the law to it's original purposes
Not only is no assault made by the DILL
cial upon newspapers and the excep-
tional postal rate they enjoy, but ne
expressly insists that the correction OF
the abuses is in the interest of genuine
publications and those originally con-
templated by the law, for if the wrongs
now visited upon the Government by
the abuses are not soon corrected the
probability is that there will come such
sweeping condemnation as will de-
prive even legitimate papers of tneli
present privileges.
correct these abuses? Why does II
permit matter to rate seconds class
which should pay as third class? be
cause the law is wanting in precision
and does not sufficiently guard against
the subleties and devices of the frauds
and imposters What is asked is thai
Congress shall by legislation re-estab-
lish in their proper classification and
forbid the privilege of the pound rate
to serial libraries of books, to ''house
organs" and other sheets of an exc.u-
sive advertising character. to sample
editions for advertising purposes, to ad-
vertising circulars which are masked
under the name of fraternal societies
to returns by news agents of unsold
periodicals, and to schemes by which
publishers pervert their prerogatives by
sending matter in their own names at
the pound rate for advertisers and pur-
chasers who have not the privilege.
That the proper legislation has not
to this time been had, though its need
has been frequently pointed out, is
probably due to the influence the fraud
ulent publications referred to exercise.
They manage to delay the bills intro
duced for the purpose and thus far have
managed to defeat their passage.
1t would seem that so strong a pre-
sentation of the matter as is made by
Postmaster General Smith ought te
essary clear, well-defined and IMAM
biguous legislation needed. That Gen
eral Smith is right in his denounce-
ments and justif1able in his demands
goes without saying. The amazing
thing is that Congress should have sc
long failed to put on the brakes, where
it has so long been made clear to it thai
the Government is annually defrauded
of millions of dollars by perversion Of 9
law from it's intended purposes.
A leading Democratic organ say:
that the reference to the Philippines
in the Presidents message lacks vigor
that he recommends nothing, casts the
whole burden upon Congress and is
vague and uncertain as to what oul
policy towards the Filipinos should be
That is simply fragrant misrepresenta-
ton. 1t is untruth without a palliat-
ing line. The President distinctly says
tA4dl lS AclS POWCI vi dQll1OIlly u
determine the form of government fol
the Philippines; that all he is com
missioned and authorized to do is t
provide temporary civil government
under military supervision. That mean
while the authority of the United
States will be maintained in the Phil
ipnina0 trb re
with all the force and means Congress.
has placed at his disposal, and that the
insurgents will be put down If the en-
ergy and arms Of the American Gov.
eminent can do it. Is not that spec.
ific and vigorous enough? Under tn.
Constitution and the laws what more
could the President do? He distinct,
states that it is not his province, no.
does he deem it wise for him to de
clare to Congress the form of govern
ment under which the Philippine:
should be placed. That is the duty
and the privilege of Congress alone
He does. however, for it's guidance
sketch the form of temporary govern
ment which has been established b,
the military in one of the islands. 1
was the proper thing to do to repor
to Congress what has been done in thi!
regard that it may be advised of every
step taken in the name and under tn,
flag of the United States.
The story comes by cable from Hong
kong that the Filipino Junta at tina
place says Aguinaldo will surrender
Mr.. Consul General Wildman is sen
to meet him to make the necessary ar
rangements. AS a rule Hongkong dis
patches about the Filipinos, especial,
those which relate to the expires sion.
of the Junta, are to be regarded jeal
ously, If not wholly repudiated Blu
assuming the dispatch in question t.
be verify, what a conception the Junts
and Aguinaldo must have of American