The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-12-06

ineffective to alter the general contr'
now established. are still sufficient ,
neGet insecurity among the population
mat have felt the good results of Ou
control. and thus delay the confermen
upon them OF the fullest measures .
IocaI sel-goyernment. OF education. an
OF industrial and agricultural develop
ment which we stand ready to give I
BY the spring OF this year the eTectiy
opposition OF the dissatisfied Tagals 4
,ne authority OF the United States wa
virtually ended, thus opening the doc
tpat,on 1 on' oysr extension sion OF stable admins
me archipelago. Desiring to bring thi
ABOUT. appointed In March last a civi
fd ffddmTmission nm composed OF Hon William
OF Michigan; Hon. Luke f. Wright. OF Ten
nessee; Hon. Henry c. Ide. OF Vermont
ana Prof Bernard Moses. OF California
Inc aims Of their mission and the scop,
ol tnelr authority are clearly set forth
IN my instructions OF April Z 1900 adj
dressed 10 the secretary OF war 10 b,
transmitted TO them.
Principles Are Appreciated
Referring to the manner in which ,be
Work OF the commission upon the lines
iald down In his instructions TO them
mas been received by the people of the
philippines, the president saws.
AZ is evident that the most enlightened
thought OF the Philippine Islands fully sp-
preciates the Importance OF these princi-
pies and rules, and they will Inevitably
WITHIN short time command universal
assent. Upon every division and branch
Of the government OF the PhIlippines
therefore. must be imposed three inviol-
able rules: ~
That no person shall be deprived OF life
liberty, or property without due process OF
law; that private property shall not be
taken for public use without lust com
pensation: that In all criminal Prosecutors
the accused shall enjoy the right TO a
speecy and public trial. to be informed
or the nature and cause Of the accusation.
10 be confronted with the witnesses against
him, to have compulsory process for oh
tanning witnesses In his favor, and 10 have
the assistance OF counsel for his defense.
that excessive bail shall not be required.
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishment inflicted. that no ner-
son shall be put twice In jeopardy for the
same onense. or be compelled in anv Grim
inal case TO be a witness against himself.
that the right to be secure against unrea-
sonable searches and seizures shall not be
violated; that neither slavery nor lnvolun-
tary servitude shall exist except as a pun
lshment for crime: that no bin OF attain
der or ex post facto law shall be passed.
that no law shall be passed abrdging the
freedom OF speech or Of the press. or the
rights Of the people to peaceably assemble
and petition the government for a redress
of grievances; that no law shall be made
respecting an establishment Of religion or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof and
that the free exercise and enjoyment OF
religious profession and worship without
discrimination or preference shall forever
be allowed.
Encouraging Reports.
Later reports from the commission show
yet more encouraging advance toward
the benefits Of liberty ard good
government to the FilipinoS I'm the inter
ha al %
building up an enduring. sclf-suppor,ing
and self-admlnisterng community in
those FAR eastern seas. / would impress
upon the congress that whatever legfs.a-
ton may be enacted in respect to the Phil
Ippine Islands should be along these gen
erous lines. The fortune OF war has
thrown upon this nation an unsought
trust which should be unselhshly dis
charged. and devolved upon this govern
nent moral as well as material lespon-
'ibility toward these millions whom we
have freed from an oppressive yoke.
"wnrds of the Nation"
l have upon another occasion called the
filiplnos the wards OF the nation" our
obligation as guardian was not lightly
Il must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled. aiming first OF all To
'eneht those who have come under our
ostering care. II IS our duty so 10 treat
hem that our flag may be no less be-
owed In the mountains OF Luzon and the
ertile zones OF Mindanao and Negros
han II Is at home. that there as here It
hall be the revered symbol Of liberty.
and progress In every av-
nue. OF development.
The Filpinos are a race quick 10 learn
nd to profit by knowledge, He would
70 rash who, with the teachings Of con-
history In view, would fix
limit to the degree OF culture and ad-
ancement yet within the reach OF those
eople II our duty toward them be faith
ully performed.
Porto Rico.
The civil government OF Porto Rico pro-
ided for by the act OF the congress, ap-
roved April H. 1900, Is in successful op-
ration. The courts have been estab-
shed. The governor and his associates.
Iorklng intelligently and harmonicusly.
re meeting with commendabe g success
On the 9Th OF November a general cleo
on was held In the island Tor members
: the legislature. and the body elected
as been called to convene on the first
Ionday OF December
] recommend that legislation be enact
! by the congress comforting upon the
'cretary OF the interior supervision over ,
10 public lands In Porto Rico. and that
Id quantity OF lands the title TO which
mained In the crown Of Spain at the ,
lte OF cesslon OF Porto Rico 10 the
nited States. and that appropriations
o methods OF the disposition OF such =
nds be prescribed By law.
Dealings with Cuba,
rhe present conditions In Cuba are re- 6
rred 10, citing the call for the election J
delegates to d constitutional conven- c
IN and the meeting of the convention $
nich Is now in session. and closes this /
1T OF his message with the following: S
When the convention concludes its la
T | will transmit to the congress the c
institution as framed by the conven- p
IN for It's consideration and for such Q
Haa, Itsia Ia
The Army.
I'm increase in the regular army IS n
and the need of soldiers q
own. After saying that we need at n
st 20. 900 troops at home 10 care for n
r expensive fortihcations and ordnance, n
continues: n
We have In Cuba between 5000 and 5000 "
ops. For the present our troops In that
md cannot be Withdrawn or materially
and certainly not until the con- G.
sion OF the labors OF the constitutional A
lvention now In session ard a govern &
mt provided by the new constitution p
ill have been established and its stability
'ured. n
n Porto Rico we have reduced the gar d
OBS 10 1886. which include Ss6 native IS
,tion here. We will be required to q
~ a considerable force In the Philip
e islands for some time TO come From al
best information obtainable We shall CO
d there for the immediate future from m
% to co. 900 men. / am sure the num- d
may be reduced as the insurgents al
IL come to acknowledge the author 81
OF the United States. OF which there W
assuring indications. nj
may be apparent that we will re- sh
re an army of about 60 900. and that br
ing present conditions in Cuba and te
Philippines the president should have Sc
hority TO increase the force TO the ar
sent number OF 10000. Included in m
number authority should be given 10 Ia
e native troops in the Philippines UP 80
L, 900. which the Taft commission be- TO
e will be more effective In detecting ex
suppressiug guerrillas. assassins and tiN
Irones than our own soldiers. Sc
"a f,,u discus.ion ~ this s,,hgact h,, ha