Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-12-08

but in blessing. believe the Fill
pinos win soon recognize the fact that It has
not lost its gift of benedlotion In its world
wide journey to their shores
Hawaiian Affairs.
Some embarrassment in administration has
occurred by reason of the peculiar status whioh
tho Hawaiian islands at present occupy under
s WSe bS St a T
public of Hawaii as an independent nation was
extinguished; IT'S separate sovereignty de-
vested in the United States, yet a complete es-
tablishment for its government under our sys-
tenn is not effected. While the municipal laws
OF the islands not enacted for the fulnllment
of treaties and not inconsistent with the joint
resolution or contrary to the constitution OF
the United States or any Of its treaties remain
in force, yet these laws relate only the social
and internal aEairs of tho islands, and do not
touch many subjects OF Importance which are
OF broader national character.
BY the resolution OF annexation the presi-
dent was directed to appoint five commission
concerning the islands us they should deem
necessary or proper. These commissioners
We're duly appointed, and after a careful inves-
tigation of the system OF laws and government
provided in the islands and of the conditions
existing there. they prepared bill to provide
government under the title of "The Territory
OF Hawaii" The report of the commission,
with the bill which they prepared, was trans
mitted by me TO congress on December o, 1893,
bnt the bill still awaits final action.
The people OF these islands are entitled to
the benefits and privileges of our constitution.
DuJ III Jne HUStuCe Oh uny uCL OF COuRTeSS pro-
viding for federal courts in the islands. and for
n procedure by which appeals, writs Of error,
and other judicial proceedings necessary for
the enforcement of civil rights may be prose-
cuted, they arc powerless to secure their en-
forcement by the judgment OF the courts of the
United States. 1t Is manifestly important,
speedily as possible erecting these islands into
a judicial district providing for the appoint
ment of judge and other proper officers of the
methods OF procedure In appellate proceedings,
and that the government of this newly ac-
quired territory under the federal constitution
shall be fully defined and provided for.
Alaska's Needs.
A necessity for immediate legislative relief
exists In the territory OF Alaska. Substantial
for this territory is the act OF May II, 1884.
This is meager 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 production, as
was Alaska ut the time this was passed. The
increase in population by immigration during
the past few years, consequent upon the dis
covery of gold has produced such condition
calls for more ample facilities for local self
government and more numerous conveniences
of civil and judicial administration. Settle
ments have grown up in various places con-
stituting in point of population and business
cities of thousands of inhabitants, yet there Is
no provision of law under which municipal
lty can be organized or maintained.
There Is practically no organized form OF
government In the territory There is no au-
thority, except in congress, to pass any law,
no matter how local or trivial and the dim-
Guilty of conveying to congress- an adequate
conception and UNDERSTANDING OF the various
needs of the people in the different communi-
ties is easily understood. see no reason why
q more complete form of territorial organiZa-
| tion should not be provided.
Porto IRicO,s Government.
I 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 temporary form OF government for this
| island, and many suggestions made with refer
ence TO Alaska are applicable also in Porto
| Rico.
| The system of civil jurisprudence now
| adopted by the people of this island is de-
| scribed by competent lawyers who are familiar
with it. as thoroughly modern and scientific,
| so far as 1t relates TO matters Of internal bus
| ineSS, trade, production, ana social ana prl-
vate right in general The cities OF the island ana
| require very little or no change So that with
| relation to matters OF local concern and pri-
vate right it is not probable that much, II any,
| legislation is desirabe but with reference TO
public administration and the relations of the
island to the federal government, there are
many matters which are of pressing urgency.
| The same necessity exists for legislation on
the part of congress 10 establish federal courts
and federal jurisdiction in the island as has
been previously pointed out by me with refer
ence to Hawaii
1t is desirable that the government OF the
island under the law OF belligereut right now
maintained through the executive depor tment,
should be superseded by an administration en-
tirely civil in its nature. For present purposes
1 recommend that congress pass law for the
organization of u temporary COVER ment, which
shall provide for the appointment by the
ate, of q governor and such other officers al
the general administration of the island may
require, and that for Legislative purposes upon
subjects of n local nature not partaking of a
| federal character q legislative council, COM
posed partly of Porto Rieans and partly OF
citizens of the United States, shall be nomi-
mated and appointed by the president, theiI
acts to be subject to the approval of congress ol
the president prior to going into effect 10 the
municipalities and other local subdivisions
recommend that the principle Of local self.
government be applied at once
Presented to this congress are great oppor'
tunities. With them come great responsiL IL
ties The power conided to us increase III;
weight of our obligations to the people, and w
must be profoundly sensible of them Gs W,
contemplate the new and grave problems which
; confront us Aiming only atthe public good
we cannot err. A right Interpretation OF th'
peoples will and OF duty cannot fail to insur'
, wise measures for the welfare of the islands
; which have come under the authority OF th
United States and inure TO the common inter
est and lasting honor of our country. Neve
| has this nation had more .-bundant cause thai
during tho past year for thankfulness to Go.
for manifold blessings and mercies, for whicl
I we make reverent acknowledgment
WILLIAM MCkIHLEE