Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-09

build up that tranquil development OF
the domestic state as proclaimed in the
joint resolution adopted by congress, by
which the United States disclaimed any
disposition or intention TO exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction or control ever
Cuba.
BY the treaty Of peace the Spanish peo-
pie of the island have until April II, 1890,
10 elect whether they will remain citi-
zens of Spain or become citizens of Cuba.
BY that time the result of the census will
be tabulated and we shall proceed to
/ provide for elections which will commit
the municipal government Of the island
to the officers elected by the people. In
the meantime and so long as MeeXercise
control over the island the products of
| Cuba should have market in the United
| States on as good terms as are given TO
the West India islands.
Since my last message and in obedi-
| ence to acts of congress the remaining
volunteer force enlisted for the Spanish
war has been disc harged. OF the volun-
teers Co. officers and 1881 men serving
| in the Philippines and 1850 of the regu
! lars. who We're entitled to be mustered
| out voluntarily, remained at the front
until their places could be filled by new
troops. BY virtue of the authority Of
| congress the regular army has been in
| creased to 81, 1893 enlisted men and 22i3
officers, and new volunteer regiments
nave been organized asgregating SO $50
| men and 1924 officers. The force in Ma
Mia now consists of 1859 officers and
1906 men. When the troops now under
orders shall reach Manila the force will
comprise 2O5l officers and 63,4S3 men.
The message refers to the spirit and
high efficiency" which has characterized
the service and the pride OF the nation
in its achievements. The president says
the people will justify liberal appropria-
tons. and he unites with the secretary
in recommending that congress enact
such special legislation as may be neces-
sary to enable the department to make
contracts early in the coming year for
! armor plate of the best quality that can
he obtained i'm this country for the
Maine. Ohio and Missouri, and that the
act limiting the price of armor to $500
| per ton be removed.
The pensioners of the United States in
all wars, June 80, 1899, numbered 99l ,5l9.
The number added during the year was
1891; the number dropped from all
causes was 1886. Claims disallowed
numbered l07.9l9. The amount disbursed
for army and navy pensions during the
year was $l3S, 300, O5295, which was 81 65l,-
itl6l less than the appropriations.
The president introduces the subject
with ii reference to the treaty of peace
between Spain and the United States
under the pi DIVISION of which the Philip
pine archipelago was ceded to the United
States for $40 700, 900. and says: have
every reason TO believe, and | sth he
lieNe. that this transfer of sovereignty
was in accordance with the wishes and
aspirations of the great mass Of the
Filipino people. From the earliest mo-
ment no opportunity was lost of assur-
ing the people of the islands of ..ur ;r-
dent desire for their welfare AMI of the
intention of this government to do every
thing possible to advance their inter
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 rghtfully floats.
shall put at the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the lib
erality of congress and the people have
provided to cause this unprovokpd and
WaSteful instruction to cease If
any orders of mine We're required to
insure the mercilul 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
clemency and reconstruction.
Concerning Hawaii, the MESA ge 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-
ceedngs. and that the government of
this newly acquired territory under the
federal constitution shall be fully de-
fined and provided for.
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 :, 1884. This is meagre in
it's provisions, and is fitted only for the
administration of affairs in u country
sparsely inhabited by civilized people
and unimportant in trade and produce
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. | see no reason
why a more complete form of territorial
organization should not be provided.
l recommend that legisla ton 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 it, 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.
Concerning the order Of May 90, 1885,
amending the civil service laws, the
president says The principal purpose
of the order was to except from COM
petitive examination certain places in
volving tiduCiary responsibilities or
duties of a strictly confidential, scientific
or executive character, which it was
thought might better be filled by nom
competitive examinations. or in the dis
erection of the appointing officer than by
open competition. All of the amend.
ments had for their main object Il more
efficient and satisfactory administra-
ton of the system of appointments es-
tablished by the civil service law. The
results attained show that under their
operation the public service has i'm.
proved. 1t is believed that the merit
system has been greatly streng theneG
and it's permanence assured.
WILLIAM NJ KINLEY.