The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-12-12

nue. taxes imposed to meet the expenses
Of the war with Spain in the sum of $780,
| 900, 900. This reduction should be Sc
cured by the remission OF those taxes
which experience has shown to be the
most hurdensome to the industries of the
| people.
I specially urge that there be included
in whatever reduction is made the legacy
/ tax, requests for public uses OF a literary,
educational or charitable character.
Legislation on Trusts.
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: cit is
apparent that uniformity of legislation up
on this subject in the several states is
much to be desired. 1t is to be hoped such
uniformity founded in wise and just dis
elimination between what in 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
!
Of state legislation as to make complete
system Of laws throughout the United
States adequate to compel a general OBJ
servance of the salutary rules to which
have referred"
| The whole question is so important and
far-reaching that am sure no part Of it
will be lightly considered, but every phase
of it will have the studied deliberation
of the congress, resulting in wise and jul
dicious action. Restraint upon such COM
| binations as are injurious and which are
within Federal Jurisdiction should be
promptly applied by the congress.
The Philippines.
| In my last annual message dwelt at
| some length upon the condition Of affairs
in the Philippines. While seeking to i'm
press upon you that the grave responsible
| ity Of the future government of those
| islands rests with the congress Of the
United States. l abstained from recon-
mending at that time a specific and final
form of government for the territory ac
/ tually held by the United States forces
and in which as long as insurrection con-
| tinues the military arm must necessarily
! be supreme. stated my purpose, until
! the congress shall have made known the
| formal expression of it's will, to use the
| authority vested in me by the constitution
and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty
| Of the United States in those distant is
| lands 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 liberality of the congress
and the people have provided. No con-
| trary expression Of the will of the con-
gress having been. made, have Steadfast-
| ly pursued the purpose so declared, en-
ploying the civil arm as we'll toward the
accomplishment of pacificaticn and the in
| stitutfon of local government within the
lines Of auth0ritV and law
Progress in the hoped for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have success
fully controlled the greater part of the is
| lands, overcoming the organized forces of
the insurgents and carrying order and adj
ministrative regularity to all quarters.
What opposition remains is for the most
part scattered, obeying no concerted plan
OF strategic action, operating only by the
methods common to the traditions OF guer-
rilla warfare, which, while ineffective to
alter the general control now established,
are still sufficient to heget insecurity
among the populations that have felt the
good results OF our control and thus de-
lay the conferment upon them of the full
er measures Of local f-government, of
education and Of Industrial and agricul-
tural development which we stand ready
to give to them.
BY the spring of the year the effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to the
odIAOAAty VI IAC OullGu States Was VIZ
tually ended, thus opening the door for
the extension of a stable administration
over much Of the territory of the archi-
pelago Desiring to bring this about, 1
appointed in March last q civil commits
sion composed of the Hon. William H.
Taft of Ohio, Prof. Dean C. Worcester of
Michigan, the Hon. Luke z. Wright of
Tennessee, the Hon. Henry C. Ide of Yer
mont and Prof Bernard Moses of Califor-
MIA. The aims of their mission and the
scope OF their authority are clearly set
| forth in my instructions of April Z, 1900,
addressed to the secretary OF war to be
transmitted to them.
1t will be the duty of the commission
to make thorough investigation into the
titles to the large tracts of land held or
claimed by individuals or by religious or
ders; into the justice of the claims and
complaints made against such land hold
ers by the people of the island or any
part OF the people and to seek by wise
and peaceable measures a just settlement
of the controversies and redress of wrongs
which have caused strife and bloodshed in
the past. In the performance of this du-
ty the commission is enjoined to see that
no injustice is done; TO have regard for
substantial rights and equity, disregarding
technicalities so far as substantial right
permits and to observe the following
rules:
Welfare of the Islands.
THAT the provision of the treaty Of Paris
pledging the United States to the protec-
ton Of all rights of property in the is
lands and as we'll the principle of our own
government which prohibits the of private
property without due process of law, shall
not be violated; that the welfare of the
people of the islands which should be a
paramount consideration shall be attained
consistently with this rule Of property
right; that if it becomes necessary for the
public interest OF the people Of the islands
to dispose of claims to property which
the commission finds to be not lawfully
acquired and held disposition shall be
made thereof by due legal procedure in
which there shall be full opportunity for
fair and impartial hearing and judgment;
that if the same public interests require
the extinguishment Of property rights
lawfully acquired and held due compensa-
ton shall be made out of the public treas
ury therefore,; that no form Of religion
and no minister Of religion shall be forced.
upon any community or upon any citizen
of the islands; that upon the other hand,
no minister OF religion shall be interfered
with or molested In following his calling,
and that the separation between state and
Lob hall no roo1 md ahcOJuta