The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-04

gress should AUTHORIZE the building of
three first class battleships and twelve
viii be sufii ii to provide for building
by the present Congress. This does not
make q good business showing, when we
imports to and from the Philippine Isl
ands to all countries of the world is esti-
mated at only SSO,0OO0OO per annum
capable of development, as was the
Louisiana. purchase, California, Alaska
and other acquired territory? The an
empt or homestead. as they are already
densely populated by Asiatic races, anG
the islands being located in the tropics
build republican institutions and homes
In those low ATTITUDES. The country IS
subject to earthquakes, tornadoes, HOODS
and epidemic diseases. and those not I'M
muned to the climate find it Impossible 70
endure 1.-THE mean temperature being 81
degrees FIJI; while the minimum temper
Mia averages ninety-nine inches per an
mum; while in other parts of the Islands
it reaches lac inches Ghirteen feeD, which
makes the humidity of the atmosphere
so great that the heat is very oppressive
and facilitating. But no stronger evil
dence can be presented of the undesira-
bleness of the islands as place to live
in than the hundreds of kilograms and
letters that daily reach me and others IN
Congress from friends and relatives OF
soldiers, asking our influence to have
their boys discharged and sent home,
as they are sick and cannot stand the
climate.
California is especially interested in the
question of the acquisition of the Philip
pine Islands, as it affects the cultiva-
ton of the sugar beet, and the whole
sugar beet industry, in which tens OF
millions of dollars have already been IN
vested. Our farmers caifnot compete IN
| raising beet sugar against the cheap
nese and Malays work for 10 cents per day
in silver. We labored for many years to
pass the Chinese restriction act, and re-
move the blight of cheap servlle contract
labor from our lands; yet If this treaty
is adopted we. opens the doors, and at
one fell swoop let in the lo,e0o06o of Asia
tics; for if the Philippine Islands be-
come territory of the United States its
inhabitants will be citizens of the United
States, as We're the Mexicans of Califor-
MIA. But even If it should be possible to
withhold from all. Or part of the in
habitants, citizenship, and unjustly tax
them without representation, no one will
Constitution, be citizens of the United
States, and be entitled to all of the rights
and privileges hereunder. Are we ready
to receive such a heterogeneous people
into our political family?
Congress made declaration that, mot
for gain; not for territory; but for free
Cuba Our flag is there. and in due
time it viii come down in honor it
did at Chepautepec, Palo Alto and other
towns in Mexico-and it will come down
in honor and with the approval. of the
President and of the American people
because they made such a declaration
through their Congress. Our flag means
civil and religious liberty, and ! do not
believe the American people will ever
permit it to permanently wave over vas
sal states or a subjugated race
1t is said, however, that we have incur.
red responsibilities by the late war which
! must be met in manly spirit We are
have made no promises to the Filipinos,
or to the misgoverned and oppressed
Spaniards. in Spain, or their other col
onies; and certainly our task is bounded
by our abilities. Many, also, may doubt
if it is the best thing We can do for
the Filipinos to proceed to rule them
dams of this country. It is wen to stop
and consider some other plan But is 1t
not our duty to first turn our attention to
some of the great questions that so deep
ly concern our own people and the well
fare of our own country? The conflict
between labor and capital, the control of
trusts and corporations, the regulation
of the charges of the transportation, tel
egraph and telephone companies, the edu-
cation and establishment of manual train
ing schools for the colored people OF the
South, the government of Alaska. the
Indian and monetary questions, the re-
clamation of arid lands, the storage of
the building of the Nicaragua Canal, and
the improvement of our rivers and har-
bors should find sufficient work for the
statesman at home.
1t is the custom on the anniversary of
the birthday of Washington to transact
no legislative business in Congress, but
to select some Senator to read his fare
well address, May we not with benefit
to the country anticipate the day and
now read the following words that seem
to apply with accentuated force at this
"Observe good faith and justice toward
all nations Cultivate peace and harmony
steer clear of permanent alliances with
any portion of the foreign world. .
Harmony, liberal intercourse with all ma
9ns snd az policy he graa
rule of conduct for US. in regard to for
eign nations, is in extending our COM
mercial relations, to have with them as
little political connection as possible"
! Awaiting your instructions as to the
course you wish me to pursue in rela-
ton to this great question. knowing that
| you will be Influenced only by patriotism
and by that which you believe to be for
the best interest of our State and Ma
ton. have the honor to remain, your
(Signed) GEORGE c. PERKINS.
Acting upon the suggestion of Sen
ator Stratton, the resolution went over
until such time as Senator Rowell s
resolution should come up for action,
| or until the similar resolution adopted
| by the Assembly was received. In or
der that the Senators might familiarize
themselves with its contents, the COM
munication was ordered printed in the
Journal.
ASSEMBLY MESSAGES.
A message was received from the
Assembly announcing the adoption of
| Assembly Concurrent Resolution No.
| i, providing for the appointment of a
committee of three to confer with a
| similar committee from the Senate,
and with the Executive Inaugural Ball
Committee of this city, relative to the
Inaugural Ball ceremonies.
| The resolution was concurred in, and
as committee of conference the Pres
| ident pro tenn appointed Senators
Simpson, Taylor and Chapman.
| An Assembly Concurrent Resolution,
| fixing z O'Clock p. m as the hour for
| opening and canvassing the election
| returns for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor, was also conquered in, and
at 1850 o'clock a recess was taken
until 1:3O p. m.
The Senate reassembled at 145
o'clock, and, a. message from the Gov
ernor was announced. Peter j. Shields.
Governor Budd's Private Secretary,
handed In the Governors second bien-
NAL message, the purport of which is
! published in another column.
! Senator Morehouse moved that the
report be received and referred to the
proper committee when such commit
tee should have been appointed
| Senator Dickinson protested against
such a procedure unless the message
was read.
! Owing to the fact that at 2 O'Clock
the Senate and Assembly would meet
| in joint session to canvess the vote
! for Governor and Lieutenant Governor,