The Norfolk weekly news. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1888-1900, 1899-12-07

us with the task OF protecting them
nqainst each other, and defending them
against any foreign power with which
they chose to quarrel. In short, II would
take from the congress of the United
States the power OF declaring war and
vest that tremendous prerogativc in the
Tagalo lcade. OF the hour.
IL does not seem desirable that should
recommend at this time u specific and
final form OF government for these ISL
ands When peace shall be restored It
will be the duty OF congress TO construct q
plan of government which shall establish
and maintain freedom and order and
peace In the Philippines. The insurrcc-
ton Is still existing, and when IL tcrmi-
mates further insortaation will be required
as TO the actual condition Of affairs before
establishing n permanent scheme OF civil
government The full report Of the com
mission, now In preparation, will contain
Information and suggestions which will
be OF value to congress and which l will
transmit as soon as IL Is completed. As
long as the insurrcction continues tho
military arm must necessarily be supreme.
But there Is no reason why steps should
not be taken from time to time to inau-
gurate governments essentially popular
In their form as fast rs territory Is
held or controlled by our troops. To this
end ] am considering the advisability Of
the return of the commission, or such OF
the members thereof rs can be secured, to
aid the existing authorities and facilitate
this work throughout the islands. have
believed that reconstruction should not
begin by the establishment OF one central
government for all the islands, with It's
seat Mt Manila, but rather that the work
should be commenced by building up
from tho bottom, first establishing IL mu-
nicipal government and then provincial
governments, central government at
last to follow.
Rebellion Must Be Crushed.
Until the congress shall have made
known the formal expression Of It's will l
shall use the authority vested in me by
the constitution and tho statutes to up
hold the sovereignty Of the United States
In those distant islands, rs in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats. l
shall put at the disposal of the army and
navy oil the means which the liberality of
congress and the people have provided to
cause this unprovoked and wasteful in
surrection to cease If any orders of mine
were required to insure the proper conduct
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 insurgents. The truest
kindness to them will be swift defeat of
their present leader. The hour of victory
will be the hour OF clemcncy and recon-
struction. No effort will bo spared to
build up the waste places desolated by
war and by long years Of misgovcrnment.
We shall not wait for the end of strife to
begin the beneficent work. We shall con-
tinue, as we have begun, to open the
schools and the churches, to set the courts
in operation, to foster industry and trade
and agriculture and in every way in our
power to make these people whom provi-
dence has brought within our jurisdiction
feel that 1t 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. l believe the entire Filipinos
will soon recognize the fact that they
have not lost their gift of benediction in
this worldwide journey to their shores
Needs of Alaska.
A necessity for immediate legislative re-
lief exists in the territory of Alaska. The
whole vast area of Alaska comprises but
one judicial district, with one marshal
and one district attorney, yet the civil and
criminal business has more than doubled
within the past year and Is many times
greater, both in volume and Importance,
than it was in 1884. 1 see no reason why
u more complete form Of territorial organ
ization should not be provided. Follow
ing the precedent established in the year
Toe,
provided for the recently acquired terri
tory, then known under the name of
Louisiana, 1T seems to me that it would
be advantageous to confer greater execu-
tive power upon the governor and to es-
tablish, as was done in the case of the ter
ritory of Louisiana, a legislative council,
having power to adopt ordinances which
shall extend to all the rightful subjects Of
| local origin, such ordinances not to take
effect until reporte to and approved by
| the congress, II in session, and II that
body is not In session, then by the presi-
| dent. In this manner q system Of laws
providing for the incorporation and gov
ernment of towns and cities, having GER
tain population, giving them the power
| to establish and maintain system Of
education to be locally supported, and
| ordinances providing for police, sanitary
and other such purposes, could be speed
| lily provided. l believe provision of
this kind would be satisfactory to the peo-
pie Of the territory. 1t is probable that
the area Is too vast and the population too
scattered and transtory to make it wise
at the present time to provide for an
| elective Legislative body, but the condi.
tions calling for local self-government
will undoubtedly very soon exist, and will
be facilitated by the measures which ]
| have recommended.
| Suggestions as to Porto Rico.
| 1 recommend 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 temporary form
of government for this island and many
suggestions made with reference to Alas
ka are applicable also to Porto Rico.
The system of civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people of this island is de
scribed by competent lawyers who are IA.
miliar with it, rs thoroughly modern and
scientific, so far as it relates to matters OF