The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-09-29

to the ratification Of their government.
They met the commissioners of Spain in
Paris, and after long and careful thought
and consideration, the commissioners of the
two countries, on the 10th day of Decem-
Der, 1898, signed a treaty of peace, which
did not become effective until ratified by
the senate of the United States and the
government of SPAIN By this treaty, Spain
relinquiShed all claim to sovereignty over
the title of Cuba. She also ceded to the
United States the island of Porto Rico and
other islands in the West Indies under
Spanish sovereignty; the island of Guam,
or the Ladrones in the Marianas, and also
the archipelago known as the Philippine
islands.
This treaty was duly submitted to the
senate Of the United States and was duly
ratified by a two-thirds vote on the 9th day
of February, 1899. Shortly thereafter it
was ratified by the government of Spain,
and thus became effective.
The Duties of Peace.
Peace was restored between Spain and
the United States, but new and important
duties were placed upon our government.
Porto Rico and the Philippine islands came
under the protection of the United States.
In the meantime, and while the ratification
of the treaty was pending, portion of the
Inhabitants of one of the Philippine islands,
army of the United States, which was oc-
cupying and protecting the territory con-
Quered from Spain.
1t will be observed that in this streaty,
Spain simply relinquished her sovereignty
over Cuba and did not cede the island to
the United States. This provision was
made so that it might be apparent to every
one that the United States did not have
any disposition or intention to exercise SOW
fsdi icfi ntro1 nxrnr caiA
island, after its people had formed a stable
government, and that the faith of the
country, as pledged in the resolutions
adopted by the senate, would be kept.
In the case of the Philippine islands and
Porto Rico, the situation is different. These
islands became possessions of the United
States under the treaty. They were ceded
to the United States in consideration of
the great damage which had been done to
her, and in part payment of the expenses
which she had been put to by the war. 1t
is clearly the duty of congress to determine
how these islands shall be governed, and
what shall be done with them.
Shortly after the treaty of peace was
ratified, and without considering these
questions, congress adjourned. In this it
acted wisely, for these questions are of the
very greatest Importance to this nation
| and their proper determination of very
great moment.
| The Presidents Duty In the Interim.
In the meantime a duty rests upon the
| president of the United States. 1t is his
| imperative duty to preserve in these islands
peace and good order, to protect the lives
| and property Of our own citizens, the lives
| and property of the inhabitants thereof,
and the lives and property of the citizens
| of other nations living therein. 1t Is time
| for congress to determine what course to
| take, when peace and order have been re-
| stord, and all have acknowledged the SOW
| ereignty of the United States.
I have opinions as to what congress
| should do, but they are of no more import
/ ance than those Of any other citizen, and
| / refrain at this time from OBTAINING yor
! with them.
| Captious Democratic Opposition.
| I have hastily sketched the events of the
last year and one-half, because it is con
corning these things that those now in con
troll of the Democratic party raise the falls,
| cry Of imperialism" l have done it be
cause I want you to know how little foun
dation there is for this disturbance If tn,
| government had done other than what i
has done, these gentlemen would have de
nounced it with still greater vehemence
but with right upon their side. In the ex
| igencies of a political campaign they ar,
| always ready to denounce a Republican ad
ministration, whether it has been right O.
wrong. When these necessities have passed
| away, they will acknowledge as they hav,
done since the civil war, that everythin;
accomplished was for the best interests o
our country. Then they will point out vii
liam Mckinley as they now do Abraham
Lincoln, as a patriot and statesman, an,
plead with the future generations of Re
publicans to follow the teachings and ad
/ vfaa nf NToLy Ly;,,1a ]bnx-
never forget the example of the immorta
Lincoln.
Trusts and Combinations.
Within the last few years many of tn
business men of this country have consoli
dated their great interests into corporation
and combinations, which are popularl
known as 'trusts." The men who conduc
our manufactures, trade and commerce ar
generally intelligent, far-seeing citizens
!. with a patriotism equal to that of an
other class of citizens. 1 am very 10th t
believe that these men would knowingly d
. anything that will be detrimental to tn
country or to their fellow-citizens. It
true, however, that there are things cor
, nected with these new organizations whic
require regulation by law, in order to prt
| vent evils which may arise. These evil
have been denounced by both the Repuf
. lican and Democratic parties In Ohio |
state convention So far the two partie
stand upon an equality. In another respec
; the Republican party has an advantage, l
, the fact that the Seventy-third geners
assembly passed stringent law we'll ca
culated to prevent evils. and that an attic
. ney general elected by the Republican part
has been diligent in his efforts to enforc
the law.
, New and Wise Legislation Required
Undoubtedly new and careful and wis
| legislation will be required both upon tn
part of congress and state legislatures
regulate and prevent evils which ma
emanate from large corporations. Sue
legislation we can safely intrust to the me
E of the Republican party. In all time pas
: they have shown themselves more capabl
' than the men placed in congress and in on
! legislatures by the Democratic party.
] On the Goth of July, 1897, had the homo
of delivering an address before the Stat
Bar association of Ohio, in which I di
cussed to some extent the laws of Obi
regulating corporations. I then said:
Corporations may be created in Ohio fc
any purpose for which individuals may Law
fully associate themselves, except for ca
, rying on professional business. Thes
bodies, except insurance companies, raj
road companies, building and loan associ;
! tions and certain banking companies, M
practically under no restraint by the stat
and make no reports to her officers. Lare
mining, manufacturing, commercial an
other enterprises are carried on by an
: through them. Because they are create
: by the state, and possess certificates bea
: ing the imprint of her seal, people are le
to believe that they are safer to do bus
> ness with, and are more entitled to cred
y than are privte partnerships and indivi'
u uals In very many cases they are les
u worthy Of confidence They are authorize
by the state to do business before one do
lar of the capital stock has been paid.
s regard to these artificial beings of her or
! | alton. the state owes a duty to the nubli