Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-12-06

Germs the honor and Conscience of their
country, in the firm hope that through
Philippine islands may come to look back
with gratitude to the day when God gave
set their lands under the sovereignty and
the projection OF the people of the
This commission, composed of eminent
citizens representing diverse geogra oh
tcdl dno pontcal interests of the count
try, and bringing to their task the ripe
fruits of long and intelligent service in
educational, Administrative and judicial
careers, mas made great progress from
the outset. As early as August 2I 1900
II submitted a preliminary report, which
viii be laid before the congress and from
which 1t appears that already the good
effects of returning order are felt: that
business, interrupted by hostilities is
improving as peace extends that a lar
ger area is under sugar cultivation than
ever before; that the customs revenues
are greater than at any time during the
Spanish rule; that economy and efficiency
III the military administration have ere
Tor. needed public improvements; that a
stringent civil service law is in prepara-
ton; that railroad communications are
expanding, opening up rich districts and
that a comprehensive scheme of educa-
ton is being organized.
Later reports from the commission
show a yet more encouraging advance
toward insuring the benefits of liberty
ana good government to the Filipinos, in
the interest of humanity and with the
aim of building up an enduring, self-sup-
porting and self-adminiSter commUni-
" in those far eastern seas I would i'm
press upon the congress that whatever
legislation may be enacted in respect to
the Philippine islands should be along
these generous lines. The fortune of
war has thrown upon this nation an I'M
discharged and deVolved upon this gov
eminent a moral as well as material re-
we have freed from an oppressive yoke.
It may be well that the main changes
taxation and in the body of the laws IN
der which the people are governed, eX-
cept such changes as have already been
made by the military government should
be relegated to the civil government
which is to be established under the aus
ever, be the duty of the commission to
inquire diligently as to whether there are
any further changes which ought not to
be delayed and If so, they are authorized
make changes, subject to approval. In do
ing so they are to bear in mind that taxes
which tend to penaliZe or repress indus
try and enterprise are to be avoided;
that provisions for taxation should be
SlIhRIe' SO That they may be understood
by the people; that they should affect the
fewest practicable subjects of taxation
which will serve for the general distri-
ubtion of the burden. The main body of
the laws which regulate the rights and
obligations of the people should be main
tanned with as little Interference as pos
sible. Changes made should be mainly in
procedure, and in the criminal laws to
secure speedy and impartial trials, and
ton and respect for individual rights.
In dealing with, the uncivilized tribes
adopt the same course followed by con-
gresS in permitting the tribes of our
North American Indians to maintain their
trlnaI organizations and government, and
under which many of those tribes are
now 5lVIng IN peace and contentme1t. sur
rounded by civilization 20 which they
are unwilling to conform. Such tribal
governments should. however, be sub
Jected to wise and firm regulation, and,
without undue or petty interference, con-
slant and active effort should be exer-
cised to prevent barbarous practices and
introduce civilized customs.
Upon all officers and employees of the
should be impressed a sense of the duty to
observe not merely the material, but the
personal and social rights of the people
of the islands and to treat them with the
sonaI dignity which the people of the
United States are accustomed to require
from each other.
OUR OBLIGATION AS GUARDIAN.
I have upon another occasion called
the Filipinos the wards of the nation"
Our obligation guardian was not light
ly assumed; it must not be otherwise than
honestly fulfilled aiming first of all to
benefit those who have come under our
them that our flag may be no less be-
loved in the mountains of Luzon and the
fertile zones of MindanaO and Negros
than it is at home, that there as here it
ment and progress in every avenue of
development. The F'ilipinos are a race
edge He would be rash who, with the
teachings of cOntempuraneous history in
view, would fix limit to the degree of
culture and advancement yet within the
reach of those people if our duty toward
them be faithfully performed
LEGISLATION FOR PORTO RICO.
The civil government of Porto Rico
provided for by the act of the congress
approved April u. 1890 is in successful
o2e1rabodq 1 The c99rJs ha ave be- been es
ciates, working inteliigently and harmo-
niousiy, are meeting with commendable !
success. On the 9Th of November a gen |
eral election was held in the island for
members of the legislature, and the body
elected has been called to convene on the |
first Monday of December | RECON- |
mend that legislation be enacted by con- |
the interior supervision over the public |
lands in Porto Rico, and that he be di- |
rected to ascertain the location and |
manned in the crown of Spain at the date |
of cessiOn of Porto Rico to the United /
methods of the disposition of such lands |
be prescribed by law.
FOR THE CUBANS. |
On the 18th of July, 1900, I directed |
that a call be issued for an election in /
Cuba for members of a constitutional /
a basis for a stable and independent |
government in the island. The election /
was held on the 18th of September and /
the convention assembled on the 5th of /
November, 1900 and is now in session. In |
calling the convention to order, the mill |
tary governor of Cuba made the following |
statement:
LAS military governor of the island, |
the president of the United |
States, 1 call this convention to order. 1t |
will be your duty, first, to frame and |
adopt constitution for Cuba and when |
that has been done to formulate what in |
your opinion ought to be the relations |
between Cuba and the United States. The |
constitution rust be adequate to secure /
a stable. orderly ana free government /.
When you have formulated the relations /
which in your opinion ought to exist be- |
tween Cuba and the United States, the /
government of the United States will /
doubtless take such action on it's part as |
shall lead to a final and authoritative |
agreement between the people of the two /
countries to the promotion of their COM |
mon interests. All friends of Cuba will /
follow your deliberations with the deep |
est interest earnestly desiring that you /