The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-08
NUMBER 90.

as 1t is completed. AS long as the in
surrection continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme. But there is
no reason why steps should not be taken
from time to time to inaugurate govern
ments essentially popular in their form as
fast as territory is held and controlled by
our troops. To this end l am considering
the advisability of the return of the COM
mission, of such of the members thereof as
can be secured. to aid the existing authori-
ties and facilitate this work throughout the
islands. have believed that reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment of
one central civil government for all the
islands, with its seat in Manila, but rather
that the work should be commenced by
building up from the bottom, first estab-
fishing municipal governments and then
provincial governments, and central gov
ernment at last to follow.
Until congress shall have made known
the formal expression of its will I shall
use the authority vested in me by the
constitution and the statutes to uphold the
sovereignty of the United States in those
distant islands as in all other places where
our flag rightfully floats. 1 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 un-
provoked and wasteful insurrection to
cease. II any orders OF mine were re-
quired to insure the merciful conduct Of
military and naval operations, they would
not be lacking; but every step of the pro-
gress of our troops has been marked by q
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
No effort will be spared to build up the
waste places desolated by war and by long
years of misgovernment. We shall not
wait for the end of strife to begin the
beneficent work. We shall continue, as
we have begun, to open the schools and
the churches 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. be-
lieve the Filipinos will soon recognize the
fact that it has not lost its gift of bene-
diction in it's worldwide journey to their
shores.
PROBLEMS IN HAWAII.
Some embarrassment in administration
| has occurred by reason of the peculiar
status which the Hawaiian islands at
present occupy under the joint resolution
of annexation approved July z, 1898. While
| by that resolution the republic of Hawaii
as an Independent nation was extinguish-
| ed, it's separate sovereignty destroyed, and
| it's property and possessions vested in the
| United States, yet complete establish
ment for its government under our sys-
| TEN was not effected. While the munich
| pal laws of the islands not enacted for
| the fulf1llment of treaties and not incon-
/ sistent with the joint resolution or con-
| trary to the constitution of the United
| States or any of it's treaties remain In
| force, yet these laws relate only to the
social and internal affairs of the islands,
and do not touch many subjects of impor-
| tance which are of broader national
/ character. For example, the Hawaiian re-
public was divested of all title of the pub
| lie lands in the islands, and Is not only
/ unable to dispose of lands to settlers desir-
| ing to take up homestead sites, but is
| without power to give complete title in
cases where lands have been entered upon
under lease or other conditions which car
| ry with them the right to the purchaser.
lessee, or settler to have full title grant,
ed to him upon compliance with the con-
ditions prescribed by law or by his partic-
| ular agreement of entry.
| ALASKA.
A necessity for immediate legislative re-
lief exists in the territory of Alaska,
| Substantially the only law providing q
civil government for this territory is the
act of May II, 1884. This is meager In its
provisions, and is fitted only for the ad-
ministration of affairs in a country sparse
ly inhabited by civilized people and unim-
portant in trade and production, as was
Alaska at the time this act was pass
ed. The increase in population by immi-
| grafton during the past few years, conse-
quent upon the discovery of gold, has pro-
duced such a condition as calls for more
ample facilities for local self-government
and more numerous conveniences of civil
and judicial administration. Settlements
have grown up in various places, consti-
tuting in point Of population and business
cities of thousands Of inhabitants, YET
there is no provision of law under which
municipality can be organized or main
tanned.
FREE TRADE WITH PORTO RICO.
1 recommend that legislation to the same
end be had with reference to the govern
ment of Porto Rico. The time is ripe fol
the adoption of a temporary form of gov.
erGment for this island, and many sugges
tions made with reference to Alaska arr
applicable also to Porto Rico.
LYNCHINGS.
The love Of law and the sense Of obe
dience and submission to the lawful,
constituted judicial tribunals are embed
ded in the hearts of our people, and an,
violation of these sentiments and disre
gard of their obligations justly arouse
public condemnation. . The guarantees o
!, life, liberty, and of civil rights should b.
| faithfully upheld the right of trial b,
jury respected and defended. The rule o
the courts should assure the public of tn
prompt trial of those charged with Grim
inal offenses, and upon conviction the pun
ishment should be commensurate with tn
enormity of the crime.
The proposed centennial celebration a
Washington next year is given a boom. II
regard to the civil service the presiden
| says the notifications show the publ
Iervice has been improved and the perma
nency of the merit system insured. Tn
president refers to the one hundredth an
niversary of the death of Washington
which will be Dec. IA. For hundre,
years the republic has had the priceless
; advantage of the lofty standard of char
aoter and conduct which he hequeathed t
: the American people. / have been glad t
learn that in many parts of this countr
the people will fifty observe this histori
| anniversary.
; CONCLUSION.
+ Presented to this congress are great op
: portunities. With them come great respon
! sibilities. The power confided 70 US in
. creases the weight Of our obligations t
the people, and we must be Profound
sensible of them as We contemplate tn
new and grave problems which confron
] US. Aiming only at the public good, W
] cannot err. A right Interpretation of tn
J. peoples will and of duty cannot fail
g insure wise measures for the welfare Q
.he islands which have come under tn
authority of the United States, and inur
ir,te Iar A1x.