Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-12-08


and wages to our countrymen, as well as
a safeguard to American interests in every
| part Of the world
On the subject OF trusts the President
saws: I'm my last annual message to the
Congress / called attention to the neces-
sity 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
i. injurious and what is useful and neces-
sary in business operations. may be OBJ
tanned, and that means may be found for
the Congress. within the limitations of its
constitutional power, so to supplement an
effective code of State legislation as to
make a complete system of laws through.
out the United States adequate to compel
a general observance of the salutary rules
to which | have referred. The whole
question is so important and far-reachipg
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 judicious action.
Restraint upon such combinations as
are injurious, and which are within Fed
eral jurisdiction, should be promptly APP
piled by the Congress
On the subject of the Philippines the
President continues I'm my last annual
message | dwelt at some length upon the
condition of affairs in the Philippines.
While seeking to impress upon you that
the ave responsibilities of the future
government of those islands rests with the
Congress Of the United States abstaln med
c'fic and final form of government for the
territory i2ctqaly held long aitsd
surrect;,n continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme.
No contrary expression of the will Of
the Congress having been made, l have
steadfastly pursued the purpose so de.
clared. employing the civil arm as well
toward the accomplishment of pacifcation
and the institution of local governments
within the lines of authority and law.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have success.
fully controlled the greater part of the
islands. overcoming the organized forces
of the insurgents and carrying order and
administrative regularity to all quarters
What opposition remains is for the most
pun SNottViSu' uo SOHCcltcu pau
of stragetic 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 beget insecurity
among the populations that have felt the
good results of our control and thus delay
the conferment upon them of the fuller
measures of local elf-government, of edu.
cation and of industrial and agricultural
development which we stand ready to
give to them
In his instruction to the commission the
President laid down these general rules:
That in all cases the municipal officers
who administer the local affairs of the
people are to be selected by the people
and that wherever officers of more ex
any way, natives Of the islands are to be
preferred, and if they can be found cont.
petent and willing to perform the duties
they are to receive the offices in preference
to any Others
1T will be the duty Of the Commits.
sion,' says the President, 'to make a
thorough investigation into the titles to
the large tracts of land held or claimed
by individuals or by religious orders; into
the justice of the claims and complaints
made against such landholdefs by tile ped.
pie, of the island or any part Of the people,
and to seek by wise and peaceable meas.
n1es just set Element of the controversies
and redress of wrongs which have caused
strife and boodshed in the past.
"'rhe civil government of Porto Rico
provided for by the act Of Congress ap-
proved April p, 1900, is in successful oI,-
eration.' declares the President. 1.-THE
courts have been established. The Gov.
ernOr and his associates working intelli-
gently and tremendously, are meeting with
comncndoblc success"
The President quotes from Governor
Woods speech in calling the Cuban Con-
he SAYS that the constitution. must be ode
quate to secure a stable. orderly and free
government,
Congress is specifically urged to au.
thdrize the laying of cable connecting
this country with the new possessions i'll
the Pacific. and extending this line from
Manila to Japan.
The message then discusses the army.
The present strength of the army is lOU,-
DOO men-65 600 regulars and 25,O0O volun-
teers. Under the act OF March .. 1899, on
the Both of June next the present volun-
teer force will be discharged and the regu-
lar army vii be reduced to 2447 officers
and 29,O25 enlisted men.
W. VIII De 10 Keep u COHSlu-
cradle force in the Philippine Islands for
some time to come. 1t must be apparent
that we will require an army OF about
$4,000. and that during present conditions
in Cuba and the Philippines the President
should have authority to increase the
force to the present number of 100000.
Included in this number authority should
be given to raise native, troops in the Phil.
ippines up to $4,000. which the Taft Com
mission believe will he more effective in
detecting and suppressing guerillas. assas.
sins and ladrones than our own soldiers"
a very satisfactory settlement has been
of armor plate X reasonable
price has been secured and the necessity
for Government armor plant avoided.
II approve Of the recommendations OF
the Secretary for new vessels and for id.
ditional officers and men. which the re-
Iuired increase of the navy makes neces.
sary. / commend also the establishment
of national naval reserve and of the
grade of Vice Admiral. Provision should
he made for suitable rewards for special
merit
The attention of the Congress Is called
by the President to the report of the Sec.
rotary of the Interior touching the neces.
sity for the further establishment of
,cnOOiS IN the Territory OF Alaska, and
favorable action is invited thereon.
In conclusion the President says: "In
our great prosperity we must guard against
the danger it invites of extravaganza in
Government expenditures aud appropra.
tons; and the chosen Representatives Of
the people will. I doubt not. furnish ali
example in their legislation Of that wise
economy which in a season of plenty h,is.
bands for the future. In this era of great
business activity and opportunity caution
is not untimely. It will not abate, but
confidence. 1t will not retard,
but promote, legitimate industrial and
commercial expansion. Our growing pow.
ar brings with it temptations and perils
requiring constant vigilance to avoid. It
must not be used to invite conflicts, nor
for oppression. but for the more effective
maintenance of those principles of equality
md Justice upon which our institutions
and happiness depend Let us keep al.
ways in mind that foundation Of our Gov.
is liberty: it's superstructure
peace. WILLIAM M'KINLEY
Executive Mansion, December 3. 1900"