The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-04

| question consists largely OF review
Of events and acts there during the
past year, recalling the presidents de-
termination to await the decision of
the will of congress as to the establish
n1ent of form of government. He re-
ports favorable progress towards pa
cification and the institution of local
government. instructions to the COM
mission are embodied in full, and the
preliminary report. which has already
been published, are cited as to the i'm
provements following the arrival OF
the commission in Manila. Later re-
ports from the commission are said to
show yet more encouraging advances
towards good government in the inter-
ests Of humanity and with the aim OF
building up an enduring self-support-
ing and self-adminlstering community.
Legislation should be along these gen.
erous lines, in the unselflsh discharge
Of an unsought trust, which the for
tune of war has thrown upon the ma
tion. Reiterating hfs designation of
the Filipinos as "the wards of the ma
tion." the president says: 1T is our
duty so to treat them that our flag
may be no less beloved in the noun
| tains of Luzon and the fertile zones
of Mindanao and Negros than 1t Is at
home, that there as here it shall be
the revered symbol of liberty, enlight-
enment and progress in every avenue
Of development. The Filipinos are a
race quick to learn and to profit by
knowledge. He would be rash who,
with the teachings of contemporary
eous history in view, would fix limit
to the degree of culture and advance
ment yet within the reach of these
II people if our duty toward them be
faithfully performed"
| Legislation is recommended to con-
fer upon the secretary of the interior
supervision over public lands in Porto
Rico with the duty to ascertain the
| location and quantity of lands the title
to which remined in the crown Of
| Spain when Porto Rico was ceded.
After reviewing the circumstances
of the constitutional convention in
Cuba, the president announces that
when the convention concludes It's la
bors he will transmit to congress the
constitution for such action as may
| be deemed advisable. The necessity
| for a Pacific cable between the United
| States and Hawaii, with extension to
| Manila, is urged anew.
Increased needs of the army by rea-
son Of the new possessions, the coun-
| try's coast defenses, and the new ar
| my posts, are pointed out, and the
| necessity in the immediate future of
from $4,000 to $4,000 men in the Philip
pines is stated. ut must be appar-
ent," says the president, that we will
require an army of about $4,000 and
that during present conditions in
Cuba and the Philippines the presi-
dent should have authority to-increase
the force to the present number Of
| 100000. Included in this number, au-
thority should be given to raise native
| troops in the Philippines up to 15,000
which the Taft commission believe
will be more effective in detecting and
| suppressing guerillas, assassins and
ladrones than our own soldiers
Recommendations of the secretary Of
| the navy for new vessels and for in
creased force are approved, and the
| establishment of national naval re-
serve and of the grade of vice admiral
is recommended, and also provision
for suitable rewards for special merit.
Earnest consideration is bespoken
| for the recommendation of the gover-
nor of Hawaii for the development OF
water supplies on the public lands in
| the islands, especially by irrigation,
with view of promoting land settle
ments.
Apportionment of representation
| among the states under the new census
Is recommended, as provided by the
constitution
| Attention is called afresh to the me-
cessty for amendment of the alien
contract law and the important feat
ures of the rightful application of the
| eight-hour law for the benefit of labor
and of the principle of arbitration are
commended to congress-.
Additional appropriations are urged
for the use of the civil service com.
mission; the necessity of hall of pub
| lie records in Washington is pointed
out; congress is urged to participate in
| the celebration of John Marshall Day,
on February 4 next, as we'll as in the
| centennial anniversary of the estab-
lishment of the seat of government in
| the district of Columbia. The mes
sage concludes:
I'm our great prosperity we must
guard against the danger it invites of
| extravaganza in government expendi-
lures and appropriations: and the
| chosen representatives of the people
! will, l doubt not, furnish anaexample
in their legislation of that wise econ
omy which in q season Of plenty hus-
bands for the future. In this era of
great business activity and opportun-
ity, caution Is not untimely. 1t will
not abate but strengthen, confidence.
1t will not retard, but PROMOTE legiti-
mate industrial and commercial expan-
sion. Our growing power brings with
it temptations and perils requiring
| constant vigilance to avoid. 1t must
not be used to invite conflicts, nor for
| oppression, but for the more effective
maintenance of those principles of
equality and justice upon which our
institutions and happiness depend. Let
US keep always in mind that the foun-
dation of our government is liberty;
it's superstructure. peace"