The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-12-06
PITH OF THE
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Summary of the Important Questions
Reviewed and Recommendations
on the Philippines, the Army,
Cuba, Porto Rico and
War TaXdtiOns.
TIE PHILIPPINES.


The Philippine question is declared
settled, except forguerilla operations
which only time can suppress. The
Presidents : instructions to the Phil
ippine commissioners are quoted as
his views on government for the is-
land after quoting his instructions
to the commissioners at Manila, the
president says:
In my last annual message | dwelt
at some length upon the condition
OF affairs in the Philippines. While
seeking to impress upon you that
the grave responsibility of the future
government of those islands rests
with the congress of the United
States, | abstained from recommend
ing, at that time, specific and final
form OF government for the territory
actually held by the EniteI States
forces, and as long as insurrection
continues the military arm must
necessarily be supreme. ! stated my
purpose, until the congress shall
have made known the formal express
sion of it's will, to use the authority
vested in me by the constitution and
the statutes to uphold the sover-
eighty of the United States in those
distant islands, as in all other places
where our flag rightfully floats, plac-
ing, 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
contrary expression OF the will OF the
congress having been made, have
steadfastly pursued the purpose SO
declared, employing the civil arm as
we'll toward the accomplishment of
pacification and the institution of
local governments within the lines OF
authority and law.
Later reports from the mission
show yet more encouraging advance
toward insuring the benefits of lib
.erty and good government to the
FiIipinOs, in the interest OF humanity
and with the aim of building up an
enduring, self-supporting, and SELF
administering community in those
far eastern seas. | would impress
upon the congress that whatever leg
islation may be enacted in respect to
the Philippine islands should be
along these generous lines. The for
tune of war has thrown upon this
nation an unsOught trust which
should be unselfishly discharged. and
devolved upon this government a
moral, as well as a material respOn-
sibility toward those millions whom
we have freed from an oppressive
yoke. | have upon another occasion
called the Filipinos the wards OF the
nation" Our obligation as guar
dian was not lightly assumed; it
must not be otherwise than honestly
fulfilled, aiming first of all to benefit
those who have come under our fos-
tering care 1t is our duty so to
treat them that our flag may be no
less beloved in the mountains OF Lu-
zon 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
ment.
SUBSIDY FOR SHIPS.
The president urges aid in the
shape of subsidy topromote Amer
lean shipping, on the ground that
but 9per cent is now carried on
American vessels.
REDUCTION OF WAR TAX.
| recommend that the congress at
its present session reduce the inter
nal revenue taxes imposed to meet
the expenses OF the war with Spain in
the sum of $4,000, 900 This re-
duction should be secured by the re-
mission of those taxes which exY eri-
ence has shown to be the most bur-
densome TO the industries of the peo-
pie.
specially urge that there be in
cluded in whatever reduction is made
the legacy tax, bequests for public
uses OF IA literary, educational or
charitable character.
THE ARMY.
Congress is asked TO provide for an