The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-11

rest All this is long step in the full
people of Cuba.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title
as the Philippines. The treaty of peace
which coded us the one convey
ed to US the other. Congress has
given to this island government in which
the inhabitants participate, elect their
own legislature. enact their local laws,
provide their own system Of taxation and in
these respects have the same power and
privileges enjoyed by other territories be-
longing to the United States. and much
larger measure of Self-goVernment than
was given to the Inhabitants Of Louisiana
under Jefferson. A District Court of the
United State for Porto Rico has been
established and local courts have been IN
augurated, all Of which are IN operation.
The generous treatment of the Porto III
cans accord WIKI most liberal thought OF
our country and encourages the best as
pirations of the people of the island, Wine
they do not have instant free commercial
intercourse with the United States. Con-
grass complied with my recommendation
by removing, on the first day OF May
last, IS per cent. of the duties and proVid-
ing for the removal of the remaining 10
per cent. on the list of March, 1862, or earl
Ter if the legislature of Porto Rico sha.l
provide local revenues for the expenses OF
conducting the government. During this
intermediate period Porto Rico prodncsS
coming into the United StatesHpay tar
;ff of Is per cent. of the rates under the
Dingley act, and our goods going TO Porto
Rico pay a like rate. The duties thus paid
and collected both in Porto Rico and the
United States are paid TO the Government
of Porto. Rico and no part thereof is taken
by the National Government.
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
For the sake of full and intelligent I'M
Outstanding of the Philippine question,
and TO give TO the people authentic lntof-
nation of the acts and aims Of the Ad-
rninistration, I present at some length Inc
events of Importance leading up to the
present situation. The purposes of the Elk
ecutiye are best revealed and can best be
Judged by what he has done and is dong
1t will be seen that the power OF the govern
ment has been used for the liberty, the
peace and the prosperity OF the Phliippihe
people, and that force has been employed
only against force which stood in the way
of the realization of these ends.
The President then gives an outline OF
the Spanish-American war, his instructions
10 The Peace Commissioners and the work
done By them. He thus continues:
Satisfied that nothing further could pc
accomplished in pursuance OF their MISSION
until the rebellion wa; suppressed, and de-
string to place before the Congress the re-
: suit of their observations, L requested
the Commission TO return to the Onlied
States. Their most intelligent and com
preheusive report was submitted 10 Cons
gress.
In March, 1900, believing that the lnsur-5
rection was practically ended and earnest-
ly desiring 10 promote the esiapilshil11ei'
of a stable government in the afchlpeiaso'
/ appointed the following Civil Commis-z
sion:
Mr.. Mckinley here names the commits
s:oners and their instructions LOT the pre-.
servation of order. He goes on:
VIEWS NOW HELD.
The commission is confident that, by
sudicious customs law, reasonable land tax
and proper OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES laA,
imposition of no greater rate than that IN
the average American State vail give less:
annoyance, and with peace VIII produce
revenues sufficient to payeeXpenses, Oh en-
cierit government, including militia ana
cons tabulary.' They are preparing
stringent civil-service law. giving equal
opportunity to Filipinos and Americans,
with preference for former Whefe quali-s
1ications are. equal, to enter at lowest
rank, and by promotion reach head q.
ne;,aTtn,enrt Forts1-five miles of
"a iIroad extension under negotiation Will
give access to a large province r1ch = IN
Valuable minerals, mile high, vain
strictly temperate climate. : Ra1l-
read construction will give employment TO
1,,anySand communication will furnish
market to vast stretches Of rich agricul-
tural lands
They report that there are calls from
all parts of the islands for public schools.
school supplies and English teachers,
greater than the commission can provide
until comprehensive school system IS
organized. Night schools for teaching
English to adults are being established In
response to popular demand. Native chi-
sdren show aptitude in learning English,
Spanish is spoken by small fraction OF
people and in a few years the medium
of communication in the courts, public
Offices and between different tribes Will
he English, crsa ton of central government.
within eighteen months, under which sub.
s;autiaily all rights described in the Bal
of Rights in the Federal Constitution are
10 DE secured to the people of the Pta1lip-5=
pines. will bring to hem ..contentment,=
prosperity, education and politicai enaght-
enment..NN
This shows to my countrymen W1at mas.
been and is being done to bring 1heapeh e
MS of liberty and good government 10
these wards of the nation. Every effort.
No : hae,, directed to their peace and pros
,s,ifvs their advancement and weli-being,
m, a rgrand izement. nor for pride
~ ,nschs not for Grade or commerce, not
for e esninffa zion, hut for humanity and.
sc5y,ii1atlon and for the profession OF the
vast majority of the popuia ton. Wna Wel-s
come our sovereignty. against the ueslsn-
Ing minority. whose drst demand. ailer me:
surrender Of Mani "a by the Spanissn y army:
20. a., enter. The SsffYflat they might loot