Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-12-14

ed should be made to conform to their cus-
toms: their habits, and even their preiudices.
accomplishment Of the Indispensable requi-
sites Of just and effective government.
AT the same time the commission should
bear in mind, and the people of the islands
should be made plainly to understand, TINT
there are certain great principles of govern
aienl when have been nade the basis of our
tinl to the rule of law and the maintenance
or Individual freedom, and of which they
have. unfortunately, been denied the expert
ence possessed by us; that there are also
certain practical rules of government which
We have found to be essential to the prescr-
vatton OF these great principles of liberty
and law, and that these principles and these
rules OF government must be established and
maintained In their islands for the sake of
their liberty and happiness, however much
they may conflict with the customs or laws
of procedure with which they are familiar.
Status of l.undholtlers.
1t will be the duty of the commission to
make thorough Investigation into the titles
to the large tracts of land held or claimed
DE individuals or by religious orders: into
made against such landholdcrs by the pco-
pie OF the island. or any part of the people.
anu ito 10 seek ny wise and peaeeable measures
redress of wrongs which have caused strife
and bloodshed in the past.
1t Will be the duty of the commission to
promote and extend, and as they find occa-
already inaugurated by the military authorl-
ties.
IT may be we'll that the main changes
which should be made in the system of taxa
tion and in the body Of the laws under which
the people IRE governed except such
changes as have already been made by the
the civil government. which Is to he cstab-
lshed under the auspices of the commission.
Pledge of American Army.
The articles Of capitulation of the City of
Manila %, on the 18th Of August 1885, con
labitants its churches and religious wor-
private property of all descriptions are
faith and honor of the American army" 1
believe this pledge has been faithfully kept.
Coincldentally with the entrance of the
commission comm, upon Its labors l caused 10 he
governor of the Philippines, on June 81, 1900.
u proclamation of amnesty in generous
terms, of which many of the insurgents took
advantage, among them number Of Import
ant leaders.
Ihis commission made great progress from
the outset As early as Aug. u, 1900, II sub
mitted q preliminary report, which will be
laid before the Congress, and from which
1t appears that already the good effects of
returning order are felt; that business, in
terrupted by hostilities. is improving as
sugar cultivation than ever before; that the
customs revenues are greater than at any
time during the Spamsn rule; that economy
and efficiency in tine military administration
have created surplus fund of $4,000, ,0oo.
available for needed public improvements,
| that q stringent civil service law Is In prep
aratiOn; that railroad communications are
expanding, opening up rich Districts anu
that comprehensive scheme of education
Is being organized.
Later reports from the commission show
M nnn frr uflI tTyv lrl In
surfing the benefits OF liberty aud good gov
ernment TO the Fillpinos, in the interest of
humanity and with the aim OF building up
an enduring, self-supportiny and sclf-admin-
istcring community in those far Eastern
seas. I would impress upon the Congress
that whatever legislation may be enacted
be along these generous lines. The fortune
OF war has thrown upon this nation an un-
sought trust which should be unseliishly
discharged, and devolved upon this govern
ment moral as we'll as material responsible
ity toward these millions whom We have
| freed from an oppressive yoke.
The civil government Of Porto Rico pro-
vided for by the act of Congress approved
April IL, 1900, is i'll successful operation.
The courts have been established.
The Governor and his associates. working
intelliscntly and liarinonionsly, are meeting
with commendable success.
On the 9th of November u general election
was held in the island for members of the
Legislature, and the body elected has been
called to convene on the iirst Monday of De-
ccmber
1 recommend that legislation be enacted
by the Congress comforting upon the See
retary of the Interior supervision over the
public lands in Porto Rico, and that lie be
directed to ascertain the location and guam
tity of lands the title to which remained In
the crown of Spain at the date of cession OF
Porto Rico to the United States.
Constitution for Cuba.
On the 25th OF July, 1900, directed that
call be issued for an election in Cuba for
| fralne constitution as a basis for II Stable
and Independent government in the island.
The election was held on the 18th of Sep
tember, and the convention assembled on the
9TH of November, 1900, and is now in session.
In calling the convention to order the Mil
] itary Governor Of Cuba made the following
/; statement:
ut Will be your duty, first, to frame and
adopt. constitution for Cuba. and when
that has been done to. formulate what iii
your opinion ought to be the rotations be-
| tween Cuba and the United States.
1.-The constitution must be adequate to Sc
cure a stable. orderly and free government.
When you have formulated the relations
| tween Cuba and the United States the gov
ernment of the United States will doubtless
take such action on Its part rs shall lead to
final and authoritative agreement between
| the people of the two countries to the pro-
motion of their common interests.
IAN friends of Cuba will follow your de-
| liberations with the deepest interest. earn
estly desiring that you shall reach just colt
| clusions, aud that by the dignity. individual
self-rcstraint, and wise conservatism which
| shall characterize your proceedings the ca
! pacity of the Cuban people for representa-
| tive government may be sgnally Illustrated.
THE fundamental distinction between
true representative government and Dictator
tive of the people, in whatever office. CON
fines himself strictly within the limits of his
defined powers Without such restraint there
can be no free constitutional government.
Under the order pursuant to which you have
been elected and convened you have no duty
aud no authority to take part in the present
government of the island. Your powers are
strictly limited Ivy the terms OF that order"
When the convention concludes Its labor
I will transmit to the Congress the constitl-
tton as framed by the convention for its con-
sideration and for such action as 1t may
| deem advisable.
| renew the Recommendation made In my
| special message of Feb. TO- 1890 as to the
| necessity for cable communication between
the United States and Hawaii, with extern
Icir tn havn Sl,n