The Republican., 1900-09-13

ployment should continue to wait upon
labor, and with the present gold standard
the workingman is secured against pay
ment for his labor in Il deprecated cur
rency. For labor Il short day is better
than short dollar. One will tighten the
burdens, the other lessen the rewards Of
toll. The one will promote contentment
and independence, the other penury and
want. The wages of labor should be ad-
equate to keep the home in comfort, edu-
cate the children and with thrift and
economy lay something by for the days
Of in6rmity and old age.
Practical civil service reform has al
ways had the support and encourage
ment Of the Republican party. The fu-
ture OF the merit system is safe in its
hands.
The American people are profoundly
grateful to the soldiers, sailors and ma
rines who have in every time of conflict
fought their country's battles and de-
Tended its honor. The survivors and the
widows and orphans of those who have
fallen are justly entitled to receive the
generous and considerate care of the
nation.
Our Occupation OF Caba.
We have been in possession OF Cuba
since the LIST Of January, 1899. We have
restored order and established domestic
tranquility. We have fed the starving,
clothed the naked and ministered to the
sick. We have improved the sanitary
condition OF the island. We have stimu-
lated industry, introduced public educa-
tion and taken full and comprehensive
enumeration of the inhabitants. The
qualification OF electors has been settled,
and under it officers have been chosen for
all the municipalities OF Cuba. These
local governments are now in operation,
administered by the people. Our mill
tary establishment has been reduced from
$4,000 to less than 5000. An election
has been ordered to be held on the 18th
OF September under fair election law
already tried in the municipal elections
to choose members OF constitutional
convention, and the convention in the
same order is to assemble on the first
Monday of November to frame a consti-
tuition upon which an independent gov
ernment for the island will rest. All this
is long step in the fultf>lment Of our sa.
cred guarantees to the people of Cuba.
The Government OF Porto Rico.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title
as the Philippines. The treaty of peace
which ceded us the one conveyed TO us
the other. Congress has given to this is
land government in which the inhabit-
ants participate, elect their own legisla-
ture, enact their own laws, provide their
own system OF taxation and in these re-
spects have the same power and privi-
leges enjoyed by other territories be.
longing to the United States and a much
larger measure of self government than
was given to the inhabitants of Lousi-
ana under Jefferson. A district court of
the United States for Porto Rico has
been established. and local courts have
been inaugurated, all of which are in op-
GRAFTON. The generous treatment of the
Porto Rieans accords with the most lib
eral thought OF our own country and en-
courages the best aspirations Of the peo-
pie of the island. While they do not
have instant free commercial intercourse
with the United States, congress COM
piled with my recommendation by re-
moving on the first day of May last So
per cent of the duties and provided for
the removal Of the remaining Is per cent
on the list Of March, 1902, or earlier if
the legislature of Porto Rico shall pro-
conducting the government.
The Philippine Question.
For the sake of full and intelligent un-
derstanding OF the Philippine question
and to give to the people authentic infor-
nation OF the acts and aims of the ad-
ministration present at some length the
events OF Importance leading up to the
present situation. The purposes of the
executive are best revealed and can best
be Judged by what he has done and Is
doing. 1t will be seen that the power Of
the government has been used for the
liberty. the peace and the prosperity OF
tho Philippine peoples and that force has
been employed only against force which
stood in the way OF the realization OF
these ends.
Here follow a recital OF events which
led up to acquisition of the Philippine
Islands and the ratification of the treaty
with Spain and correspondence between
the executive and the United States Gai.
GERS and commissioners in the islands,
In March, 1900, believing that the in
surrection was practically ended and ear
nestly desiring TO promote the establish
nent OF stable government In the archi-
pelago. | appointed the following civil
commission: Hon. William II. Taft of
Ohio, Professor Dean @. Worcester OF
Michigan, Hon. Luke l. Wright of Ten
nessee, Hon. Henry c. Ide Of Vermont
and Hon. Bernard Moses OF California.
tThe instructions to and reports from
this commission are then given.1
Progress In the Islands.
The commission Is confident that 'by
a 5udicious customs law, reasonable land
tax and proper corporation franchise tax
imposition OF no greater rate than that
in average American state will give less
annoyance and with peace will produce
revenues sufficient to pay expenses of
efficient government, including militia
and constabulary" They "are preparing
stringent civil service law giving equal
opportunity to Filipinos and Americans,
with preference for the former where
qualifications are equal, to enter at low
est rank and by promotion reach head Of
department. Forty-hve miles OF railroad
extension under negotiation will give ac-
cess to large province rich In valuable
minerals, a mile high, with strictly tenn
perate climate. Railroad construction
will give employment to many, and COM
munlcation will furnish market to vast
stretches Of rich agricultural lands"