davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
TagaIs Responsible For The War.

1t has been asserted that there
would have been no fighting in the
Philippines If Congress had declared
its purpose to give independence to-
the Tagai insurgents. The insurgents
did not wait for the actioa of. Con-
gress. They assumed the offensive.
they opened fire on our army. Those
who assert our responsibility for the
beginning of the conflict have forgot
ten that before the treaty was rati-
fed in the Senate and while it was.
being debated in that body, and while.
the Bacon resolution was under dis
cussasD on February 4, 1899, the in
5sargenrs attacked the American
army, after being previously advised
! that the American forces were under
orders not to fire upon them exceps
in defense. The papers found in the
recently captured archives of the in
, surgents attacked the American
had been carefully planned nor weeks
before it occurred. Their unproyoked
assault upon our soldiers at a time
when the Senate was delibera ting
upon the treaty shows that no actions
on our part except surrender and
abandonment would have prevented
the fighting and leaves no doubt in
f.. nj
bility rests for the shedding of Amer.
lean blood.
With all the exaggerated phrase
making of this electoral contest we
are in danger OF being diverted from
the real contention.
We are in agreement with all of
those who supported the war with
Spain and alse with those who coun--
seiled the ratification of the Treaty
of Peace. Upon these two great
essential steps there can be no issue,
and out of these came all of our re-
sponsibilities. II others would shirk
the obligations imposed by the war
and the treaty, we must decline to-
act further with them. and here the
issue is made. 1t is our purpose to
es tablish in the Philippines govern
ment suitable to the wants and con-
ditions of the inhabitants and to pre-
pare tn EN- for self-government, and to
give them self-goyernment when they
are ready for it and as rapidly as
they are ready for it. That am aim
ing to do under my constitutional au~
thorty, and will continue to do until
Congress shall determine the PoliticaA
status of the inhabitants of the
archipelago.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
A Short.Day and a Long Dollar.

The best service which can be rem
dered 10 tabor is to afford il an OPP
portunity for steady and remunera-
live employment, and give it every
encouragement for advancement. The
policy that subserves this end is the
true American policy. The past three
years have been more sa tisfactory to
American workingmen than many
preceding years. Any change of the
present Industrial or financial policy
of the Government would be disas-
troas TO their highest interests. With
prosperity at home and an increasing
foreign market for American pro-
ducts, employment should continue to
wait upon labor, and with the present
gold standard the workingman is
secured against payments for his La
Dor in a deprecated currency. For
labor, a short day is better than a
short dollar; one will tighten the bur-
dens, the other lessons the rewards of
toll ''he one will promote content
ment and independence, the other
perjury and want. The wages OF labor
should be adequate to keep the home
in comfort, educate the children and.
with thrift and economy, lay some
thing by for the days of infrmity and
old age.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
The Democratic Dilemma.

Are our opponents against the
treaty? Ii so, they must be reminded
that it could not have been ratified
in the Senate but for their assistance.
The Senate which ratified the treaty
and the Congress which added it's
sanction by large appropriation
comprised Senator's and Representa-
tives Of the people of all parties.
Would our opponents surrender to
the insurgents, abandon our sover-
eighty or cede il TO them? If that be
not their purpose then it should be
promptly disclaimed, for only evil can
result from the hopes raised by our
opponents in the minds OF the Fill
pinos that with their success at the
polls in November there will be
withdrawal of our army and of
American sovereignty over the archi-
pelago, the complete independence OF
the Tagalog people recognized and
the powers of government over all the
other peoples OF the archipelago con-
ferred upon the Tagalog leaders.
The effect Of belief in the minds
of the insurgents that this will be
done has already prolonged the re-
bellicn and increases the necessity
for the continuance of a large army.
1t is now delaying full peace in the
archipelago and the establishment of
civil governments and has Influenced
many of the insurgents against ac-
cepting the liberal terms of amnesty
offered by General Macarthur under
my direction. But for these false
hopes a considerable reduction could
have been had ia our military estab-
Hshment in the Philippines and the
realization of stable government
would be already III hand.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Prosperity on Every Hand

Our industrial and agricultural con
ditions are more promising than they
have been for many years; probably
more so than they have sver been
Prosperity abounds everywhere
throughout the Republic. | rejoice
that the Southern as well az the
Northern States are enjoying full
share of these improved national
conditions, and that all are contribute
ing so largely to our remarkable IN
dustrial development. The money
tender receives lower rewards for his
capital than if ii were invested in ac-
tive business. The rates of interest
are lower than they have ever been
in this country, while those things
which are produced on the farm and
in the workshop and the labor pro-
ducing them have advanced in value.
Our foreign trade shows a satisfae-
tory and increasing growth. The
amount of our exports for the year
1860 over those OF the exceptionally
prosperous year OF 1899 was about
half million dollars for every day
OF the year, and these sums have
gone into the homes and enterprises
OF .he people. There has been an in
crease of over $50,0o0,000 in the ex-
ports of agricultural products, $685.
692, 220 in manufactures, and In the
products of the mines of over s10,-
100000. Our trade balances cannot
fail to give satisfaction to the peo-
PIE of the country. In 1898 we sold
abroad $615, 432,676 of products more
ghan we bought abroad; in 1899, $685.
s74, sl3, and in 1900, $544, All, 701, max
ing during the three years 9 total
balance in our favor of 81 $3.50, IT'S, 100
nearly five times the balance of
trade in our favor for the whole per-
iod of 10s years from 1890 to June
80, 1897, inclusive.
Four hundred and thirty-six nii-
lion dollars of gold have been added
to the gold stock of the United States
since July 1, 1896. The law of March
IA, 1900, authorized the refunding
into per cent. bonds of that part OF
the public debt represented by the 8
per cents. due in 1908, the per cents.
due in 1907 and the per cents. due
in 1904, aggregating $S40, 200, 600.
More than one-third of the sum of
these bonds was refunded in the first
three months after the passage of
the act, and on September 1 the sum
had been increased more than $685.
100000, making in all 1890, SIS, $50, re-
sulting in a net saving of ever S., 3d.
$50. The ordinary receipts of the
Government for the fiscal year 1900
were 9,527 900 in excess of its ex-
penditures.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Extend Our Foreign Commerce

Ninety-one per cent. OF our exports
and imports are now carried by for
eign ships. For ocean transportation
we pay annually to foreign shipown-
ers over S165, 900. We ought to
own the ships for our carrying trade
with the world, and we ought to build
them in American shipyards and man
them with American sailors Our
own citizens should receive the trans
portation charges now paid to for
egners. / have called the attention
of Congress TO this subject in my sew
eral annual messages. In that of
December 6, 1897, said:
'Most desirable from every stand
point Of national interest and patriot
ism is the effort to extend our foreign
commerce. To this end our merchant
marine should be improved and en-
larged. We should do our full share
of the carrying trade of the world.
We do not do it now We should be
the laggard no longer"
In my message of December 5, 1899,
| said:
Our national development will be
one-sided and unsatisfactory so long
as the remarkable growth of our in
land industries remains unaccompani-
ed by progress on the seas. There
is no tack of constitutional authority
for legislation which shall give to the
country maritime strength common
surate with it's industrial achieve
ments and with its rank among the
nations of the earth"
THE past year has recorded excep-
tional activity in our shipyardS, and
the promises of continual prosperity
in ship building are abundant. Ad-
vaneed legislation for the protection
of our seamen has been enacted. Our
coast trade under regulations wisely
framed at the beginning of the Gov
eminent and since, shows results for
the past fiscal year uneguaied in our
records or those of any other Power.
We shall fail to realize our opportun-
tiles, however, if we complacently re-
gard only matters at home and blind
ourselves to the necessity of secur-
ing our share in the valuable carving
trade of the world"
l now reiterate these views.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Cuba.

We have oeen in possession of Cuba
since the first 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 inn
proved the sanitary condition of the
island. We have stimulated industry.
introduced public education, and
taken full and comprehensive enum-
GRAFTON Of the inhabitants. The quai-
flea ton 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 military establishment has
been reduced from $4,000 soldiers TO
less than 5000. An election has been
ordered to be held on the 18th of
September under a fair election law
already tried in the municipal cleo
tons. to choose members of consti-
tutional convention, and the conven-
tion by the same order is to assemble
on the first Monday of November to
frame a constitution upon which an
Independent government for the is
land will res t. All this is a long step
in the fulfilment of our sacred guar
antees to the people of Cuba.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13

of conflict fosght their country's bat
ties and defended it's honor. The sur
givors and the widows and orphans
of those who have fallen are Justly
entitled 10 receive the generous and
considerate care of the Nation. Few
are now left OF those who fought IN
the Mexican War, and while many of
the veterans of the civil war are still
spared to us their numbers are
rapidly diminishing and age and
infrmity are increasing their
dependence. These, with the sol
diers of the Spanish War,
wiH not be neglected by their CRATE
full countrymen. The pension laws
have been liberal. They should be
justly administered and will be. Pref
erence should be given to the soldiers,
sailors and marines, their widows and
orphans, with respect to employment
in the public service.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
National Finances Satisfactory.

While our receipts both from Gus
toms and internal revenue have been
greatly increased, our expenditures
have been decreasing. Civil and mis-
ceilaneous expenses for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1900, were near
iy $14,ooo,o00 less than in 1899, while
on the war account there is a de-
crease of more than sos, 100000. There
were required 100000 less TO sup
port the navy this year than last,
and expenditures on account of In
dams were nearly $2,750,00O less than
in 1899, The only two items of in
crease in the public expenses of 1900
over 1899 are for pensions and inter
est on the public debt For 1899 we
expended for pensions $1s9 ,394.92s,
ments on this account amounted to
S140,s77,316. The net increase of in
terest on the public debt of 1900 over
1899 required by the war loan was
1868, 40s.25. While Congress authoriz-
ed the Govern msnt TO make a war
loan of $40O,000,O0O al the beginning
of the war with Spain, only 100000, :
600 of bonds were issued bearing 3
per cent. interest, which were
promptly and patrie tically taken by
our citizens.
Unless something unforeseen occurs
toreduce ourrevenues or increase our
expenditures, the Congress at its next
session should reduce taxation very
materially.
Five years ago We were selling Gov
eminent bonds bearing as high as 5
per cent. interest. Now we are re-
deeming chem with bon1 at par
bearing 2 per cent. interest. We are
selling our surplus products and lend
ing our surplus money to Europe,
One result of our selling to other ma
tions so much more than we have
bought from them during the past
three years is radical improvement
of our financial relations. The great
amounts os capital which have been
borrowed OF Europe for our rapid
material development have remained
a constant drain upon our resources
for interest and dividends and made
our money markets liable to constan,
disturbances by calls for payment OF
heavy sales of our securities when.
ever noneyed stringency or panic os-
cured abroad. We have now been
paying these debts and bringing
home many of our securities and es-
tablishing counteryailing credits
abroad by our loans and placing our.
seRes upon sure foundation cd
financial independence.
In the unfortunate contest between
Great Britain and the Boer States Cd
Soutb Africa the United States has
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
E5porto Rico-Relief.From; Taxation.

We hold Porto Rico by the same
title as the Philippines. The treaty
of peace which ceded us the one con
veyed to us the other. Congress has
given to this island a government in
which the inhabitants participate,
elect their own Legislature, enact
their own local laws, provide their
own system of taxation, and in these
respects have the same power and
privileges enjoyed by other territories
belonging TO the United States, and a
much larger measure of self-govern-
ment than was given to the inhabi-
tants of Louisiana under jefferson. A
District Court of the United States
for Porto Rico has been eSta blished,
and local courts have been inaugur-
ated, all of which are in operation.
The generous treatment of the Porto
Ricans accords with the most liberal
thought of our own country, ana en-
courages the best aspirations of the
people of the island While they do
not have instant free commercial in
bCltOul sc VIII Inc OAlbEu states.
Congress complied with my recon-
mendation by removing, on the first
day of May last, s. per cent. of the
duties and providing for the removal
81 yhe remaining 10 per cent. on the
LIST of March, 1902, or earlier if the
Legislature Of Porto Rico shall pro-
vide local revenues for the expenses
of conducting the government. Dur
ing this intermediate period Porto
Rican products coming into the
United States pay tariff of Is per
cent. of the rates under the Dinslev
act, and our goods going 70 Porto
Rjco pay like rate. The duties thus
paid and collected both in Porto
Rico aud the United States are paid to
the Government Of Porto Rico, and
no part thereof is taken by the Ma
tional Government. Ar OF the duties
from November /, 1898, 70 June 30.
1900, aggregating the sun OF S2,2j0,-
523.21 paid at the Gus tom houses in
the United States upon Porto Ricau
products, under the laws existing
prior to the aforementioned act o.
Congress, have gone into The Treas
1ry of Porto Rico 10 relieve the dest!-
tute and for schools and other pu oLc
purposes. In addition To this, We have
expended for relief, education ana
Improvement of roads the sum Of ST.
513,0S4.95. The United States military
force in the island has been reduced
from 1l,0o9 to loo, and native Porto
Ricans constitute for the most part
the focal conStabuiary.
Under the new law and the inaugu-
ration of civil government there has
been a gratifying revival Of business.
The manufactures OF Porto Rico are
developing; her imports are increas-
ing; her tariff is yielding increased
returns; her fields are being culti-
waited; free schools are being estab-
tished. Notwithstanding the many
embarrassments incident to a change
of national conditions she is rapidly
showing the good effects of her new
relations to this nation.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
No Alliance With Insurgents.

Nobody who wili avail himself of
the facts viii longer hold that there
was any alliance between our sol
diers and the insurgents, or that any
promise of independence was made
TO them. Long before their leader had
reached Manila they had resolved, if
the commander of the American Navy
would give them arms with which to
fight the Spanish army, they would
later turn upon us, which they did
murderousiy and without the shadow
of cause or justification. There may
be those without the means of fuli
information who believe that we were
in alliance with the insurgents and
that we assured them that they should
have independence. To such let me
repeat the facts. On the Goth Of May,
1898, Admiral Dewey was instructed
by me to make no alliance with any
party or faction in the Philippines
that would incur liability to maintain
their cause in the future and he re-
piled under date of June 6, 1898:
Havs e-iad aoe@x dag 30 spirit of
departments instructions from the
beginning, and l have entered into no
alliance with the insurgents or with
any faction. This squadron can re-
duce the defenses of Manila at any
moment, but it is considered useless
until the arrival of sufficient United
States forces to retain possession.
In the report of the first Philippine
Commission, submitted on November
2, 1899, Admiral Dewey, one of it's
members, said:
No alliance of any kind was entered
into with Aguinaldo, nor was any
promise of independence made to him
at any time.
General Merritt arrived in the
Philippines on July 25, 1898, and dis
patch from Admiral Dewey to the
Government at Washington said:
Merritt arrived yesterday. Situation
is most critical at Manila. The Span
ish may surrender at any moment.
Merritt's most difficult problem will
be how to deal with the insurgents
under Aguinaldo, who have become
aggressive and even threatening to-
ward our army" Here is revealed
the spirit of the insurgents as early
as July, 1898, before the protocol was
signed, while we were still engaged
in active war with Spain. Even then
the insurgents were threatening our
army.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Social and Personal RishtsObserved

Upon all officers and employees OF
the United States, both civil and mil
itary, 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 same cour-
tesy and respect for their personal
dignity which the people of the United
States are accustomed to require
from each other"
The articles of capitalization of the
city of Manila, on the 18th of August
1898, concluded with these words:
.'This city, it's inhabitants, its
churches and religious worship. its
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Trust. Questions.
these views.

Combinations OF capital which con-
troll the market In commodities nee
esaert TO the general use of the pee
pie, by suppressing natural and or
binary competition, mus enhancing
prices 90 the general consumer, are
obnoxious to the common law and
the public welfare. They are danger
Gus conspirators to the public good
and should be made the subject of
prohibitory or penal legislation.
Publicity will be a helpful influence
to check this evil. Uniformity of leg
islation in the several States should
be secured. Discrimination between
what is injurious and what is useful
ana necessary in business operations
is essential TO the wise and effective
treatment of this subject. Honest
cooperation of capital is necessary
to meet new business conditions end
extend our rapidly increasing fore On
trade, but conspiracies and combina-
lions intended TO restrict business,
create mOnopolies and control prices
should be feetively restrained.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Extracts from President Mckin|ev's
Letterof Acceptance

maintained an attitude of neutrality
IN accordance win its eil-known
traditional policy. 1t did not hesi-
tae however, when requested ny the
governments of the South African
republics, to exercise its good offices
for cessation of hostiiities. 1t is to
be observed that while the South AZ
rican republics made like requests OF
other Powers, the United States is
the only one which complied. The
British Government declined to ac-
cept the Intervention of any Power
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
=-..-- The Philippines.

In March, 1900, believing that the
instruction was practically ended
and earnestly desiring to promote the
establishment of stable government
in the archipelago, l appointed the
following civil commission; Hon.
William II. Taft OF Ohio, Professor
Dean c. Worcester of Michigan, Hon.
Luke |. Wright of Tennessee, Hon.
Henry C.. Ide OF Vermont, and Hon.
Bernard Moses of California. My in
structions to them contained the fol
sowing:
( sYou (the Secretary OF War; will in
struct the Commission 10
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
.lud.d at the earliest practicable mo-

clHu@u at the earliest prac t1cab Die mo-
ment?
And was il not our duty to protecr
the lives and property of those who
came within our control by the for
tunes Cd war? Could we have come
away at any time between May 1,
1898, and the conclusion OF peace
without stain upon our good name?
Could we have come away without
dishonor at any time after the rati-
fication of the peace treaty by the
Senate Of the United States?
There has been no time since the
destruction of the enemy's feet when
we could or should have left the Phil
ippine Archipelago. After the treaty
of peace was ratified no power but
Congress could surrender our sover-
eighty or ALLEVIATE foot of the terri
tory thus acquired. The Congress
has not seen fit to do the one or the
other, and the President had no au-
thority to do either, if he had been
so inclined, which he was not. So
long as the sovereignty remains in us
it is the duty of the Executive, who
ever he may be, to uphold that SOW
ereignty, and, if it be attacked, to
suppress its assailants. Would our
political adyersaries do less?
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Nation s Debt'to It's Defenders

The American people are profound,
~ grateful 10 the soldiers. sailors
and marines who have in ey,
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-11-27
14-YEAR-oLD BOY SHOT.

| Whether by Accident Of Design a Mys-
tery-Affair at Ashley Falls Mass.
| Canaan, Nov. 26-It was learned here
to-day that serious shooting affair,
which is shrouded in mystery, occurred
at Ashley Falls, just over the Massa-
chusetts line late Saturday afternoon.
James Mackin, fourteen, who had been
working for George Blodgett, was found
in an unconscious condition in one of
the latter's ice houses with a bullet
wound in the right eye. Near the body
was a 32-calibre revolver, thought to
belong to Edward Rice, a resident of
Ashley Falls 1t had been stolen from
Mr.. Rice's pocket over week before.
According to the statement of DR..
Lee, the physician who attended the
boy, the bullet entered the right eye
and lodged in the brain. The boy has
been removed to the hospital at Pitts
field. There is little or no hope for his
recovery.
Just how the shooting happened no
one seems to know. Whether the boy
attempted to commit suicide or was
shot the police are unable to say, and
young Mackin is in no condition to tell.
Mackin's home is in Millerton, N. T.,
where his parents reside.