Daily inter mountain., 1900-12-04

urging immediate action by the congress
on measures to promote American ship
ping and foreign trade direct attention
to the recommendations on the subject in
previous messages, especially to the upn-
ion expressed in 1899: +" am satisfied
the Judgment Of the country favors the
policy OF aid to our merchant marine
which Will broaden our commerce and
markets and uribuild our carrying capa-
city, which means more work and wages
as we'll as a safeguard to American in
terests in every part of the world"
The attention of the congress is invited
to the recommendations Of the secretary
of the treasury, in his annual report for
legislation in behalf of the revenue cut
ter service and favorable action is urged
In my last annual message to the con-
gress l called attention to the necessity
for early action to remedy such evils as
might be found to exist In connection
with combinations Of capital organized
into trusts and again invite attention to
my recommendation at that time which
concludes: 1T is apparent that uniformi-
~ of legislation upon this subject in the
several states is much to he desired. 1t
is to be hoped that such uniformity in
wise and just discrimination between
what is injurious and what is useful and
necessary in business operations may be
obtained and that means be found for the
congress within the limitations of it's
constitutional power to supplement an
effective code of state legislation and
make a complete system of laws through
out the United States adequate to COM
pei general observance of salary rules
to which have referred The question
is so inlnOrtaNt that am sire no pa rf
of it will be lightly considered but every
phase will have the deliberation of con-
gress resulting in wise and judicious ac-
tion. Restraint upon such combinations
as are injurious and which are within
jurisdiction Should be promptly applied
by the congress.
In my last message l dwelt at some
len"th on the condition of affairs in the
Philippines. While seeking to impress
upon you that grave responsibility for
the future government of those islands
rests with congress, l abstained from
recommending at that time specific
and final form Of government for the
territory actually held by the United
States forces and in which, as long as
insurrection continues. the military arm
must necessarily be supreme. l stated
my purpose. until the congress shall
have made known the formal expression
of its will, to use the authority vested in
me by the constitution to uphold the
sovereignty of the Unied States in hese
distant islands as in all other places
where our flag righttully floats. placing
to that end at the disposal of the army
all means of the liberalty OF congress
having been made. I have steadfastly
pursued the policy of employing the civil
accomplishment of pacification and for
the institution of local governments
Within the lines of authority and law.
PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
To give effect to the intention thus ex-
pressed l have appointed Hon. VIM. II.
Taft, of Ohio. Prof. Worcester, of Mich
igan, Hon. Luke E. Wright, and Hon. H.
G. Ide and Prof. Moses commissioners to
the Philippine islands to cont nue. and
perfect the work of organizing and estab-
fishing civil government already COM
menced by the military authorities sub
ject in all respects to any laws which
congress may hereafter enact. The COM
missioners named will meet and act as a
board and the Hon. w. H. Taft is desig-
mated as president of the board. 1t is
probable that the transfer of authority
GERS will be gradual and will occupy a
considerable period. Its successful ac
complishment and the maintenance of
peace and order in the meantime will re-
quire the most perfect CO. cooperation be-
tween the civil and military authorities
in the islands, and both should be di-
rected during the transition period by
the same executive department. The
commission will therefore report to the
secretary of war and all their actions
will be subject to your approval aEd
control.
You will instruct the commission to
proceed to the city of Manila, where they
will make their principal office and te
communicate with the military governor
OF the Philippines who, you will at the
same time direct to render them every
assistance within his power in the per-
formance of their duties. Without ham
pering them with specific instructions
they should be enjoined after making
| themselves familiar with the conditions
and needs of the country, to devote theil
| attention first to the establishment O1
civil governments in which the natives
| both in the cities and rural communities
shall be afforded the opportunity to man,
| age their local affairs to the fullest ex
| tent OF which they are capable ana SUD
! ject to the least degree of supervision
and control which a study of the capaci
ties and observations of the working O
native control should be consistent Will
! the maintenance of law and order.
The next subject should be the organi
zation of government in the larger ad
ministrative division corresponding t.
counties, departments or provinces, il
| which the common interests of any o
several municipalities falling within tn
same tribal lines, or the same natura
geographical limits, may best be sub
served by common administration
| Whenever the commission is of the opn
ian that the condition of affairs in TIL
islands is such that the central admin
istration may safely be transferred fron
military to civil control, they will repol
the conclusion to you with their recon
do tn bp of r1