The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-12-13

by General Bates was made subject to
confirmation by the president and to fu-
ture modification b. the consent of the
parties in interest. | have confirmed said
agreement, subject 10 the action of con-
grcss and with the reservation which |
have directed shall be communicated to
the sultan of Jolo, that this agreement is
not to be deemed in any way to authorize
or give the consent of the United States to
the existence of slavery in the Sulu archi-
pe!aEu. | communicate these facts to the
congress for its Information and action.
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the TagalO rebellion
life in the archipelago will soon resume its
ordinary course under the protection of
our sovereignty, and the people of those
favored islands will enjoy a prosperity
and n freedom which they have never be
fore known. Already hundreds of schools
are open and filed with children. Re
liglous freedom is sacredly assured and
enjoyed. The courts are dispensing ius-
tice. Business is beginning to circulate
in its accustomed channels. Manila,
whose Inhabitants were fleeing to the
country few months ago, is now n popu-
lous and thriving mart of commerce. The
earnest ana unremitting endeayors Of the
commission and the admiral and major
general commanding the department of
the Pacific to assure the people of the
benehccnt intentions of this governments
have had their legitimate effect in con-
Nlnolng the great mass of them that peace
ana prosperity and stable government can
only be found in a loyal accordance of the
authority of the United States.
Congress to Decide 1t.
The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress of the United
States Few of the graver responsible
ties have ever been cOnfided to MS. If we
accept them in a spirit worthy OF our
race and our traditions, a great opportu-
nifty comes with them The islands lie
under the shelter of our flag. They are
ours by every title of law and equity.
Ihcy can not be abandoned. II we de-
sert them we leave them at once to an
archy and finally to barbarsm. We fling
them, golden apple of discord. among
the rival powers, no one of which could
permit another to seize them undues-
toned.
Their rich plains and valleys would be
thc scenes of endless strife and bloodshed.
The advent of Dewey's fleet in Manila bay
instead of being as we hope the dawn of n
new day of freedom and pro rress will have
been the beginning of an era of misery and
violence worse than any which has dark
ened their unhappy past The suggestion
has been male that we could renounce our
authority over the islands and, giving
them independence could retain protec-
torale over them. This proposition will
not be found, am sure, rthy of your
serious attention. Such arrangement
would involve at the outs a cruel breech
OF taith. IL would place the peaceahle
ana loyal majority, who ask nothing
better than To accept our authority at -
mercy OF the minority of armed insurgen
IL would make us responsible for the acts
the insurgent leaders and give us no power
troll 10
task OF protecting them against each other
and defending them against any foreign
power with which they chose to quarrel. In
short 1t would take from the congress of the
United states the power of declaring wAF
and vest that tremendous prerogative in the
Tagal leader of the hour.
Await Restoration of Peace.
1t does not seem desirable that l should
recommend at this time specific and final
| form Of government for these islands When
| peace shall be restored it will be the duty Of
| congress to construct a plan of government
which shall establish and maintain freedom
and order and peace in the Philippines. The
insurrection i still existing, and when 1t
terminates further information will be re-
quired a to the actual condition Of affairs be-
fore inaugurating a permanent scheme of
civil government The full report of the COM
mission, now in preparation, will contain in.
formation and suggestions which will be of
value to congress, and which will transmit
as soon as 1t is completed. As long as the in
surrection continues the military army must
necessarily be supreme. Yet there il no rea.
son why steps should not be taken from time
to time to inaugurate governments essentially
popular in their form as fast as territory il
held and controlled by our troops To this
end am considering the ACCESSIBILITY Of the
return of the commission, or such Of the mem.
bers thereof can be secured to aid the
existing authorities and facilitate this
work throughout the islands. | have be
lieved that reconstruction should not be.
gin by the establishment of one central civil
government for all island, with its seat at
Manila, but rather that the work should be
commenced by building up from the bottom,
first establishing municipal governments and
then provincial governments, central gov
ernment ut last to follow.
Until congress shall have made known the
formal expression of its will, | shall use the
authority vested in me by the constitution
ana the statutes to uphold the sovereignty Of
the United states in those distant Islands AS
in all other places where our flag rightfuly
floats.
We shall continue we have begun to open
the schools and the churches to set the courta
in operation, to foster industry and trade and
agriculture, and in every way in our power 10
MAKE lhtSr people Mhom providence has
brought within our jurisdiction feel that IL is
their liberty and not our power their wei.
fare and not our gain, we are seeking to en-
hance.
Tho Civil Service.
In regard to the amendments to the civil
service order of May g, 1885, promulg gated May
49, 1899, the president said In part:
All Of the amendments had for their main
object more efficient and satisfactory adj
ministratiOn Of the system Of appointments
established by the civil service law. The re-
suits attained show that under their opera
tion the public service has improved and that
the civil service system is relieved of many
Objectionable features which heretofore sub.
jected it to just criticism and administrative
officers TO the charge Of unbusinesslilIe meth
ods In the conduct of public affairs.
IL is believed that the merit system has
been greatly strengthened and its perma.
nence assured. IL will be my constant aim
in the administration of government in our
new possessions to make fitness character
and merit essential 10 appointment 70 Office
and TO give 10 the capable and deserving in
habitants preference in appointments.
The 18th Of December will be the one hun.
drrdth anniversary Of the death Of Washing.
tor INV hundred wears tho rppuhIi, h.s
asH ibs nrrrir-- advantage uf fhH luftv
standard 10, ,.t~rs '.-r ,4G conduct which he
u.u ..tfHHi "a. fI. American people. % i- an
inu-rIsur. which time. instead OF waiting.
coutinu.In u.rsgss and onrirhe-.
We may justly hope that iu the wears H.
come the bcnignant influence of the father OF
his country may be even more potent for good
than in the century which is drawing 20 a