The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1900-12-07

/ uhtCL dllSultUH " Tic
On the subject in previous messages and
| particularly to the opinion expressed in
! the message of 1899:
II am satisfied the judgment of the
country favors the policy of aid to our
merchant marine, which will broaden our
commerce and markets and upbuild our
sea carrying capacity for the products Of
! agriculture and manufacture, which,
with the increase of our navy, mean more
work and wages to our countrymen as
well as a 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. 1t is to be
hoped that such uniformity, founded in a
wise and just discrimination between
what is injurious and what is useful and
necessary in business operations, may be
obtained and that means may be found
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 it will be lightly considered, but every
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 ap-
piled by the congress.
The Philippine Question.
In my last annual message l 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-
tlnues the military arm must necessarily
be supreme. | 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 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 steadfastly pursued the purpose so
declared, employing the civil arm as we'll
toward the accomplishment of pacifica-
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 ad-
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 oS-l
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.
BY the spring of this year the effective
h. E,1 l., 10,
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
for the extension of a stable adminstra
ton over much of the territory of the
archipelago.
The president then speaks of the ap-
pointment of the Philippine commission
and his instructions to that body. He
continues:
Confidently with the entrance of the
commission upon its labors l caused to
be issued by General Macarthur, the
military governor of the Philippines, on
June q, 1900, 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 |
ri.pe 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, it
a preliminary report, which
will 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 i'm
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
ssh rule, that economy and efficiency in
he military administration have created
surplus fund of $6,000,000 available
FOR needed public improvements, that
civil service law is in prepara-
ion, that railroad communications are
opening up rich districts, and
hat a comprehensive scheme of educa-
ion is being organized.
Later reports from the commission
how yet more encouraging advance to-
ward insuring the benefits of liberty and
rood government to the Filipinos in the
interest Of humanity and with the aim of
building up an enduring, self supporting