Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-12-08

direct attention to the recommendations
on the subject in previous messages and
particularly to the opinion expressed in
the message az 1899:
II am satisfied the Judgment Of this
country faYors the policy Of aid to our
merchant marine. which will broaden our
commerce and markets and upbnild our
sea carrying capacity for the products ~
agriculture and manufacture. which.
with the increase Of our navy, mean more
work and wages to our countrymen as
well as safeguard to American inter-
ests in every part Of the world. !"
In my last annual message to the con-
gress | 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 discussion Of the subject at that time,
which concluded with these words:
1T is apparent that uniformity of leg
islation upon this subject in the several
states is much to be desired. II is to be
hoped that sueh uniformity, founded in a
wise and just discrimination between
what is injurious and what is useful and
necessary in business operations, may be
for the congress- within the limitations
of its constitutional power, so to supple
ment an effective code of state legislation
as to make a complete system of laws
throughout the United States adequate
to compel a general observance of the
salutary rules to which have referred.
'The whole question is so important
and farreaching that | am sure no part
of NO Euhtlx.
phase of it will have the studied deliber-
GRAFTON Of the congress, resulting in wise
and judicious action"
Restraint upon such combinations as
are injurious and which are within fed
eral jurisdiction should be promptly APP
piled by the congress.
The Philippine Question.
In my last annual message | dwelt at
some length upon the condition of affairs
in the Philippines. While seeking to i'm
press upon you that the grave RESPONSE
bility of the future government of those
islands rests with the congress of the
United States, | abstained from recon-
mending at that time a specific and final
form of government for the territory
actually held by the United States forces
and in which as long as instruction con-
tinues the military arm must necessarily
be supreme | stated my purpose, until
the congress shall have made known the
formal expression of it's will, to use the
authority vested in me by the constitu-
ton and the statutes to uphold the SOW
ereignty of the United States in those
distant islands as in all other places
where our flag rightfully floats, placing
to that end at the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the lib
crafty of congress and the people have
provided. No contrary expression of the
will of the congress having been made,
have steadfasty pursued the purpose so
declared, employing the civil arm as well
toward the accomplishment of pacifca-
ton and the institution of local govern
ments within the lines of authority and
law.
Progress in the hoped for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have success
fully controlled the greater part of the
islands, overcoming the organized forces
of insurgents and carrying order and adj
ministrative regularity to all quarters.
What opposition remains is for the most
part scattered, obeying no concerted plan
of strategic action, operating only by
methods common to the traditions of
guerrilla warfare, which, while ineffect-
i've to alter the general control now es-
tablished. are still sufficient to beget in
security among the populations that have
felt the good results of our control and
thus delay the conferment upon them of
the fuller measures of local self govern
ment of education and of industrial and
agricultural development which we stand
ready to give to them.
Al Al. IL.
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
for the extension of a stable administra-
ton over much of the territory of the
archipelago.
The president then speaks of the APP
pointment of the Philippine commission
and his instructions to that body. He
continues:
Coincidently with the entrance of the
commission upon it's labors | caused to
be issued by General Macarthur, the
military governor of the Philippines, ON
June 81, 1900, a proclamation of amnesty
in generous terms, of which many of the
insurgents took advantage. among them
a number of important leaders.
The Commission's Reports.
This commission. composed of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geo.
graphical and political interests of the
country and bringing to their task the
ripe fruits of long and intelligent service
in educational, administrative and judi
cial careers made great progress from
the outset. AS early as Aug. 81 1900, il
submitted a preliminary report, which
viii be laid before the congress and from
which it appears that already the good
effects of returning order are felt; that
business, interrupted by hostilities. is inn
proving as peace extends; that a larger
area is under sugar cultivation than ever
before, that the customs revenues are
greater than at any time during the Span
ish rule. that economy and efficiency in
the military administration have created
a surplus fund of $6,000.0O0 available
for needed public improvements, that a
stringent civil service law is in prepare
ton, that railroad communications are
expanding. opening up rich districts, and
that comprehensive scheme of educa-
ton is being organized.
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