Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-12-06

the treasury in his annual report for Leg
~islation In behalf of the revenue cutter
service, and favorable action is urged.
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:
"It 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
it's 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 salu-
. tary rules to which 1 lave referred"
TIL whole question is so important and
far-reaching that l am sure no part of 1t
will be lightly considered, but every
phase Of it will have the studied DELHI
Grafton of the congress, resulting in wise
and judiciOus action.
are injurious, and which are within fed
eral Jurisdiction. should be promptly ap-
piled by the congress-.
GOVERNMENT OF PORTO RICO.
The civil government Of Porto Rico pro-
vided for by the act of congress approved
April II, 1900, is in successful operation.
The courts have been established. The
governor and his associates, working in
diligently and tremendously, are meet
ing with commendable success.
On November 6 a general election was
held in the island for member of the
Legislature and the body elected has been
called to convene on the first Monday in
December.
1 recommend that legislation be enacted
by the congress comforting upon the sec
rotary of the interior supervision of the
public lands in Porto Rico, hat he be
directed to ascertain the location and
quantity of lands the title to which re-
manned in the crown of Spain at the date
of cession of Porto Rico to the United
States and hat appropriations necessary
for surveys be made and that the meth
DDS of the disposition of such lands be
prescribed by law.
FRAMING CONSTITUTION FOR CUBA
On July Is, 1900, L directed that a call
be issued for an election in Cuba for
members of a constitutional convention
to frame a constitution on a basis for a
stable and Independent government in the
island. In pursuance thereof the military
governor issued the following instruc-
tons:
Whereas, The congress of the United
States by its joint resolution of April 20,
1898, declared:
THAT the people of the island of Cuba
are and Of right ought to be free and in
dependent,
That the United States hereby dis
claims any disposition or intention to eX-
ercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said island except for the pacfica-
ton thereof, and asserts its determine
ton, when that is accomplished. to leave
the government and control of the island
to its people,
And whereas the people of Cuba ave
established municipal governments, de-
irving their authority from the suffrages
of the people given under just and equal
Ia wS and are now rPa6V- in like m9nnpr.
to proceed with the establishment of a
general government which shall assume
and exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction and
control over the island;
Therefore it is ordered that a general
election be held in the island of Cuba on
the third Saturday of September. in the
year 1900, to elect delegates to the con-
vention to meet in the city of Havana at
IL o'clock. noon, on the first Monday of
November, in the year 1900, to frame and
adopt a constitution for the people of
Cuba and, as a part thereof, to provide
for and agree with the government of the
United States upon the relations to exist
between that government and the gov
ernment of Cuba, and to provide for the
election by the people of officers under
such constitution and the transfer of gov
eminent to the officers so elected.
The election will be held in the several
voting precincts of the island. under and
pursuant to the provisions of the cleo
toral law of April Is, 1900, and the amend
mentS thereof"
The election was held on September Is
and the convention assembled on Novem-
Der 5, 1900, and is now in session. In call
ing the convention 20 order the military
governor of Cuba made the following
statement:
GAS military governor of the island.
representing the president of the United
States, I call this convention to order.
cit will be your duty, first, to frame !
and adopt a constitution for Cuba. and
when that has been done to formulate
what in your opinion ought to be the re- |
lotiOnS hnfUUppn C1h9 and the limited i
States.
The constitution must be adequate to !
secure a stable, orderly and free govern
ment.
when you have formulated the rela-
tons which in your opinion ought to ex-
list between Cuba and the United States,
the government of the United States will
doubtless take such action on its part as
shall lead to a ina and authoritative
agreement between the people of the two
countries to the promotion of their COM
mon interests.
All friends of Cuba will follow your
deliberations with the deepest interest, |
earnestly. desiring that you shall reach
just conclusions and that by the dignity,
Individual self-restraint and wise con-
s~ervatism which shall characterize your
proceedings the capacity of the Cuban /
people for representative government
may be signally illustrated"
EXPLAINS NEEDS OF THE NAVY.
The personal strength of the army IS
100000 men-65,OO regulars and 5000 vol
uuI6STS. OUucI lHC = vi ~ 4oOOy |
on June 80 next the present volunteer
force will be discharged and the regular |
army will be reduced to 2,447 officers and
%, OPS enlisted men.
In 1888 a board of officers convened by
President Cleveland adopted a compre-
hensive scheme for coast defense fortifi-
cations. which involved the outlay OF
something over $100, 900, 900. This plan re-
ceived the approval of congress and since
then regular appropriations have been
made and the work of fertilization has
steadily progressed. More than $50, 100000
has been invested in a great number of
forts and guns, with all the complicated
and scientific machinery and electrical
appliances necessary for their use. The
proper care of this defensive machinery
requires men trained to it's use. The num-
Der of men necessary to perform this
duty alone is ascertained by the war de-
partment, at a minimum allowance, to
be 1 1920. ]
There are ffty-eight or more military !
posts in the United States other than the
coast defense Qualifications. The number
of these posts is being constantly in !
creased by congress. More than 500 co., /,
0O0 has been expended in building and
equipment and they can only be cared
for by the regular army. The posts now
in existence and others to be built pro-
vide for accommodations for. and. If
fully garrisoned, require 5000 troops.
Many of these posts are along our from
tier or at important strategic points, the