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

| co make such changes, subject to your ap-
proval. In doing so they are to bear in
mind that taxes which tend to penalize or
repress industry and enterprise are to be
ayoided that provisions for taxation
should be simple so that they may be I'M
| derstood by the people; that they should
affect the fewest practicable subjects of
taxation which will serve for the general
distribution of the burden.
| Encouraging Reports.
Later reports from the commission show
/ yet more encouraging advance toward in
| surfing the benefits of liberty and good
government to the Filipinos, in the inter
| est OF humanity and with the aim of
| building up an enduring, self supporting,
| and self administering community in
! those far Eastern seas. I would impress
upon the congress that whatever legisla-
| ton may be enacted in respect to the
Philippine Islands should be along these
| generous lines. The fortune Of war has
| thrown upon this nation an unsought
| trust which should be unselfshly dis
charged and devolved upon this govern
ment moral as well as material respon-
| s1blllty toward these millions whom we
nave freed from an oppressive yoke.
Obligations to the FiIipinOs.
! l have upon another occasion called the
| Flllplnos the wards of the nation" Our
| obligation as guardian was not lightly as
sumed; it must not be otherwise than
| honestly fulfilled, aiming first of all to
| benefit those who have come under our
fostering care. 1t is our duty so to treat
| them that our flag may be no less beloved
in the mountains Of Luzon and the fertile
| zones Of Mindanao and Negros than it is
| at home; that there as here it shall be the
revered symbol of liberty enlightenment
! and progress in every avenue of develop
I ment.
| The FiliDinos are a race quick to learn
and to profit by knowledge. He would
| be rash who with the teachings of con-
temporaneous history in view, would fix
a limit to the degree of culture and ad-
vancement yet within the reach o. those
| people If our duty toward them be faith
| fully performed.
Porto Rico.
| The civil government of Porto Rico pro-
vided for by the act of congress approved
April IL, 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 the 9Th Of November a general cleo
ton was held in the island for members
Of the legislature and the body elected
has been called to convene on the first
Monday of December.
recommend that legislation be enacted
by the congress comforting upon the sec
rotary Of the interior supervision over
the public lands in Porto Rico, and that
he be directed to ascertain the location
and quantity of lands the title to which
remained in the crown of Spain at the
date OF cession of Porto Rico to the
United States and that appropriations
necessary for surveys be made, and that
the methods of disposition of such lands
be prescribed by law.
Affairs in Cuba.
On the 25th of July, 1900, 1 directed that
a call be issued for an election in Cuba
for members Of a constitutional conven-
ton to frame a constitution as a basis
for stable and independent government
in the island In pursuance thereto the
military governor issued the following in
structions:
Whereas. The congress of the United
States by it's joint resolution of April 20,
1898, declared
" That the people of the island OF Cuba
are and of right ought to be free and
independent.
THAT the United States hereby dis
claims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or con-
troll over said island except for the pacifi-
cation thereof, and asserts its determine
ton when that is accomplished, to leave
the government duU COutTOl OIL the 1SIanQ
to it's people.
land whereas, the people of Cuba have
established municipal governments, deriv-
ing their authority from the SURFACES of
the people given under just and equal
laws, and are now ready. in like manner,
to proceed to the establishment of a gen.
eral government which shall assume and
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction and con-
troll over the islands,
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 a conven-
ton to meet In the city OF Havana at IL
o'clock noon on the first Monday Of No
vember in the year 1900 to frame and
adopt constitution for the people of Cuba
and as part thereof to provide for and
agree with the government Of the United
States upon the relations to exist between
that government of Cuba and to provide
for the election by the people of officers
under such constitution and the transfer
of government 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 electoral
law of April Is, 1900 and the amendments
thereof"
The election was held on the 18th Of
September and the convention assembled
on the 5th Of December, 1900. and is now
Relations with United States.
In calling the convention to order the
military governor of Cuba made the fol-
lowing statement: LAS military governor
of the island, representing the president
of the United States, call this convention
to order. It will be your duty first to
frame and adopt constitution for Cuba,
and when that has been done to formulate
what in your opinion ought to be the re-
lations between Cuba and the United
States.
''The constitution must be adequate to
secure a stable, orderly and free govern
ment. When you have formulated the
relations which in your opinion ought to
exist between Cuba and the United States,
the government of the United States will
doubtless take such action on it's part as
shall lead to final 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 de-
liberations with the deepest interest,
earnestly desiring that you shall reach
just conclusions and that by the dignity,
individual self restraint and wise conserv-
atism which shall characterize your pro-
ceedings the capacity Of the Cuban people
for representative government may be
11y