Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-12-14

community but in blessing. I believe the Fill
pinos will soon recognize the fact tnat IL hss
not lost its gift of benediction in its world
wide journey to their shores
Hawaiian Affairs.
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 4 1898 While by that resolution the re-
public of Hawaii as an independent nation was
extinguished, its separate sovereignty de-
stroyed, and its property and possessions
vested in the United States, yet a complete es-
tabliShment for its government under our sys-
tenn is not effected. While the municipal laws
| OF the islands not enacted for the fultllment
| of treaties and not inconsistent with the joint
resolution or contrary to the constitution or
! the United States or any of its treaties remain
in force, vet these laws relate only to the social
and internal affairs of the islands, and do not
| touch many subjects of importance which are
| of a broader national character.
BY the resolution of annexation the preSi-
| dent was directed to appoint five commission
| erS to recommend to congress such legislation
concerning the Islands as they should deem
| necessary or proper These commissioners
| were duly appointed, and after careful lnves-
| tigatiOn of the system of laws and government
| provided in the islands and of the conditions
| existing there they prepared 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 trans
| mitted by me to congress on December 9, 1893,
| bnt the bill still awaits final action.
| The people of these Islands are entitled to
| the benefits and privileges of our constitution,
| but in the absence Of any act of congress pro-
viding for federal courts in the Islands. and for
| procedure by which appeals, wrltS Of error,
and other judicial proceedings necessary for
the enforcement of civil rights may be prose-
cuted they pOwerleSs to secure their en-
| forcement by the judgment of the courts of the
United States 1t is manifestly important,
| therefore, that an act shall be passed
speedily as possible erecting these Islands into
a judicial district. providing for the appoint
ment OF judge and other proper officers OF the
methods of procedure in appellate proceedings,
and that the government OF this newly ac-
| shall be fully defined and provided for.
Alaska's Needs.
| necessity for immediate legislative relief
exists in the territory of Alaska Substantial
| ly the only law prOvd ng a civil government
| for this territory is the act of May II, 1884.
| This is meager in its provisions and is fitted
| only for the administration of affairs in a
| country SparSely inhabited by civilized people
| and unimportant in trade and production, as
was Alaska at the time this was passed me
increase in population by immigration during
the past few years, consequent upon the dis
| covery OF gold, has produced such condition
as calls for more ample facilities for local self
| government and more numerous conveniences
OF civil and judicial administration. Settle
ments have grown up in various places, con-
| Stituting in point Of population and business
cities of thousands of inhabitants, yet there IS
no provision of law under which municipal
lty can be organized or maintained.
| There is practically no organized form OF
| government in the territory. There is au-
thority, except in congress. to pass any law,
| no matter how local or trivial, and the dinl-
Guilty of conveying to congress an adequate
! conception and understanding OF the various
needs of the people in the different communl-
| ties is easily understood. see no reason why
a more complete form of territorial oIganiza-
| tion should not be provided.
| Porto RicO,s Governments.
| 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 temporary form or government Tor TINS
island. and many suggestions made with refer
eace to Alaska are applicable also in Porto
| Rico.
The system of civil jurisprudence now
adopted by the people of this island is d.
scrbed by competent lawyers who are familiar
with it, thoroughly modern and scientific,
so far as it relates to matters OF internal DuS-
mess, trade, production, and social ana pri-
vate right in general The cities of the island
are governed under charters which probably
require very little or no change SO that with
relation to matters OF local concern ana prl-
yate right, it Is not proba b C that much, If any
legislation is desirable; but with reference TO
public administration and the relations of the
| island to the federal government. there are
many matters which are of pressing urgency.
| The same necessity exists for legislation on
the part of congress- to establish federal courts
| ana federal Jurisdiction in the island as has
been previously pointed out by me with refer
cnce to Hawaii
1t is desirable that the government of the
| island under the law of belligerent right now
maintained through the executive department,
should bc superseded by an administration en-
| tircly civil in its nature. For present purposes
| recommend that congress pass law for the
organization of a temporary COVER ment, which
shall provide for the appointment by the
president. subject to confirmation by the sem
ate, OF a governor and such other officers as
the general admin stration of the island may
require, and that for Legislative purposes upon
subjects of n local nature not partaking OF a
federal character legislative cOuncll. com
posed partly of Porto Ricans and partly OF
citizens of the United States, shall be noml-
mated and appointed by the president, their
acts to be subject to the approval of congress or
the president prior to going into effect To the
municipalities and other local Subdivisions
recommend that the principle of local self
| government be applied at once.
Presented
tunitcS With them come great responsible
ties. The power contided to Us increases the
weight of our obligations to the people, and we
uSt be profoundly sensible of them as we
contemplate the new and grave problems which
confront us Aiming only at the public good,
we cannot err A right Interpretation OF the
peoples will and Of duty cannot fail to insure
wise measures for the welfare of the islands
| which have come under the authority OF the
United States and Inure to the common inter-
ST and lasting honor of our country. Never
has this nation had more abundant cause than
during the past year for thanhfulness to God
for manifold blessings and mercieS, for when
we make rcverCut acknowledgment