Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1900-04-02
CHARLES W FAIRBANKS, INDIANA'S SENIOR SENATOR0

CHARLES w. FAIRBANKS, L
most exalted purpose. the constha
ton can be adapted to many peoples
and many countries who are without
preliminary training or experience:
but as To others ii would be lily adapt
ed. and some notifications as to de
tails would become necessary II Ii
were to be applied To them. The
spirit of that immortal instrument may
go everywhere. but many Of its fixed
and absolute provisions would rest i'm
perfectly upon many peoples and races
whose traditions and conditions are
entirely unlike our own.
We are charged with the response
bility of providing a government for
new possessions and new people. We
are only partially informed as to their
necessities and capacities. While We
have Il sympathetic interest in the peo
pie who have come to us and pro
found desire and purpose 10 lift them
into 4 full enjoyment of the priceless
liberties which we enjoy. we should
have the wisdom To know that we
should proceed with canton and sound
Judgment: that we should advance ac-
cording as we have light and informa-
ton. always looking toward granting
them the ampleSt privileges consistent
with their capacities and the welfare
of our country.
The greatest danger. Mr. President
in dealing with the new problems
which engage out attention is undue
haste. inconSiderate action. There Is
no mind So gifted as to be able TO
see the end Of the beginning. We must
obtain the best lights possible and fol
low them in the settlement of the ques
tons before us. actuated always by
the exalted purpose TO deal justly and
literally with those who, through one
of the great revolutions in history
may | not say evoiutions-are commit
ted to our care. Congress can not in
stantly create n form OF government
for the island which shall meet the re-
4-ireasasttsS sad satisfy fully the de-
mands of yile people. Time is required
to formulate a scheme and put IT in
full operation. They are not without
present inSular government. True. IL
is a military government. but il has
so rapidly adapted itself to the needs
of the people that there is more OF
liberty in it. more of repuhlicanism in
it, than any which they have ever en-
joyed.
NOT \ PARTY QUESTION.
Another dancer which now hesets us
is that our course with respect to the
people for whom we must provide
government may be controlled by pure
Iy partisan considerations The queS-
they should he settled free from par
tisanship. The responsibility Of ad
for the present the islands
10 our keeping rests upon
the party in power. l regret to see a
disposition on the part of those in OPP
position in the hope of winning some
political advantage. to assume an atti'
tude Of anita -oniSm to measures pro-
posed for the welfare of the people
OF the islands We should not be mis-
led by their hysterical assault upon
the policies which they oppose.
| am not concerned lest the congress
Of the United States. created by the
people and directly responsible TO
them. shall not decide the questions
before us wisely. l have no fear. sir.
that ii will not now and in the future.
pa riotically carry into all its laws and
acts the spirit of the constitution. and
that IL will MT carry that great char |
ter into the new territory as soon as
tie people therein are fitted for its
and that il will not be OBJ |
servant Of the rights and liberties Of |
those even to the humhleSt who are |
10 us by treaty OF peace |
We are now Immediately concerned |
with the administration of Porto Rico. !
1t has been under Spanish rule for |
some 800 wears The population is. 1
according to the best statistics obtain 4
able. about 100000 people. There Is 4
much wealth and intelligence among
certain classes Of people. but the great /
mass are poor and ignorant Fully s. /
per cent are unable to either read or |
write There is only one modern \
school house in the island. and that !
has been built within the last six .
months. There is a great desire among
the people for the establishment OF
schools. They are anxious for the edu
cation of their children. and by the
extension of the American school syS-
tenn there IS every warrant for the be-
lief that the people will rapidly avail |
them selves of the opportunity Of
'er.si for education. The commerce of
the island has heretofore been chiefly
with Spain. Fully a. per cent Of the
Exports and imports were between Il
nd the mother county. but about
i per cent of the commerce was
With the United States The total
xport> and imports of the Island have
Iveraged Sll.op.ooo per annum each
Turing the last five years. making
otal of $4,000 600, and during the