Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-12-07


States in those distant islands as in all
other places where our flag rightfully
hoats. | shall put at the disposal Of
the army and navy all the means
which the liberality Of congress and
the people have provided to cause this
unproyoked and wasteful instruction
10 cease. II any orders of mine were
required to insure the mercifu con-
duct Of military and naval operations.
they would not be lacking; but every
step Of the progress Of our troops has
been marked by humanity which has
surprised even the misguided insur-
gents. The truest kindness to them
viii be swift and effective defeat of
their present leader. The hour of vic
tory Will be the hour of cIemency and
reconstruction
No effort will be spared to build up
the waste places dcsolated by war and
by long years Of disagreement. We
shall not wait for the end of strife to
begin the benefcent work We shall
continue, as we have begun, to open
the schools and the church, to set
the courts in operation, to
foster industry and trade and agricul-
ture, and In every way In our power to
make these people whom Providence
has brought within our jurisdiction
feel that it Is their liberty and not our
power, their welfare and not our gain,
we are seeking to enhance. Our flag
has never waved over any community
but in blessing, | believe the Filipinos
will soon recognize the fact that it has
not lost its gift Of benediction in it's
worldwide journey to their shores.
Hawaii.
While the municipal laws Of the
Hawaiian Islands not enacted for the
fulfillment of treaties and not incon-
sistent with the joint resolution or
contrary to the constitution Of the
| United States or any of its treaties re-
main in force, yet these laws relate
only to the social and internal affairs
of the islands, and do not touch many
subjects of Importance which are of
broader national character. BY the
resolution of annexation the president
was directed to appoint five commits
siOners to recommend to congress such
legislation concerning the islands as
they should deem necessary or proper.
These commissioners were duly APP
pointed and after a careful investiga-
ton they prepared a bill to provide a
government under the title of "the
territory of Hawaii The report of
the commission. with the bill which
they prepared was transmitted by me
to congress on Dec. 6, 1898, but the bill
still awaits final action. 1t Is mani
testify important, therefore, that an
act shall be passed as speedily as pos
sble erecting these islands into a
judicial district, providing for the APP
pointment of judge and other proper
officers and methods of procedure in
appellate proceedings and that the
government Of this newly acquired |
territory under the federal constitu-
ton shall be fully defined and pro-
vided for.
Turning to Alaska the president de-
cares that he can see no reason why a |
more complete form of territorial or
ganization should not be provided.
Porto Rico Again.
He recommends 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 tenn
porary form of government for this |
island. The system of civil iurispru-
dence now adopted by the people of |
this island Is described by competent |
lawyers as thoroughly modern and sci
entiic, so far as it relates to matters of !
internal business, trade, production |
and social and private right in gem
eral. The cities of the island are gov
erned under charters which probably |
require very little or no change SO |
that with relation to matters OF local |
concern and private right, it is not |
probable that much, il any, legislation |
Is desirable, but with reference to pub
lie administration and the relations OF |
the islands to the federal government, |
there are many matters which are OF
pressing urgency. The same necessity |
exists for legislation on the part or
congress to establish federal courts |
and federal jurisdiction in the island
AS In the case of Hawaii. |
The markets OF the United States
should be opened up to Porto Rico's
products, Our plain duty is to abolish |
all customs tariffs between the United
States and Porto Rico.
II Is desirable that the government
of the island under the law of beliger |
ent right, now maintained through the
executive department. should be super
seeded by an administration entirely
civil In its nature. For present pur-
poses | recommend that congress pass
n law for the organization of n tenn
porary government which shall pro-
vide for the appointment by the presi
dent, subject to confirmation by the
senate, Of n governor and such othe"
officers as the general administration
of the island may require and that FOR
legislative purposes on subjects of a
| local naturC not partaking of Il federal