The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-12-08
FRIDAY, DECEMBER s, 1899.
THE PRESIDENTS NJ ESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Elsewhere in this issue is presented
sucoint review of President Mckinley
message to congress, which should b
carefully read by everyone who desire'
to keep posted on the affairs of th'
country. The chief interest in the doc
ument at this time centers in the Phil,
ippine question. The president treats
of it fully iu his message and, while he
leaves it to congress to specify the form
Of government for the islands, he con.
clusively groves that the United States
could not-with honor to herself or jus
tioe to the Filipinos-have pursued any
other course than that which has been
followed.
This is proven by a review of the con-
ditions in the islands prior to the begin
ming of the war, and by reference to
the report of the peace commission.
The message proves what every honest
man who has kept track of the Philip
pine question already knows-that the
fighting was forced upon our army
that only a small per cent of the natives
have been engaged in it; that most of
them are loyal to the United States;
that from the moment Admiral Dewey
1ockuorol tto G,o,;cb Anot %Lo ,,~o,;
dent directed him. and later the mill
tary autohrities, to inform the Filipi.
nos that we came not as invaders and
oonquerers, but as friends of the ma
tives, to protect them in their homes,
in their personal, political and religious
rights. All these facts are SO clearly
set forth by the president that the IN.
tire Philippine situation is made plain;
those who do not understand it can get
a clear comprehension Of the subject by
reading the message. The president,
Of course, declares that the sovereignty
Of the United States must be recognize
ed and maintained in the islands, and
suggests no thought that they will be
surrendered.
The next most important subject
in the message is the trusts.
The president agrees with ex.President
Harrison that, when trusts are organiz-
ed to suppress natural and ordinary
and unduly enhance the
price OF articles to the general con-
they are dangerous conspiracies
and should be made the subject of pro-
hibitory and even penal legislation. l
The federal law enacted against trusts I
1890 is referred to by the president, c
who recommends congress to supple G
nent it with an effective code of state |
legislation. so that the people may be
protected from the unlawful and injur.
ous combinations Of capital. The Ian. .
suage of the message Oh the trust ques. :,
ion rings clear and true and the dem. :,
'crats will find it difficult, in the face y
( the presidents words, to make the
eople believe that his administration
8 protecting the trusts. Il
The president urges the importance z
upholding the present gold standard
preserving the coinage of the two !.
1etals on a parity with each other. '
ie treats Of the conditions in Cuba and
'orto Rico, favors the Nicaragua canal S,
reviews every public question in v
ach q cnnlse manner that the message v
nparts a fund Of information which is
valuable TO every citizen. 1t is prob. .
10y the ablest state paper that ever 81
anne from the white house; it advises II
smedies by legislation wherever evils "
xlst and lodges nothing. The mes.
'ge, intact, is a good platoon for the te
publican party-because it is for the u
bod OF the government and the people, y,
cad it or you canot be posted no the
ablio questions of the day. Y
. Is