Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1900-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE lOl

banding the field for the profitable EN-
ployment of labor and capital. 1t will
increase the transportation facilities and
reduce freight charges on the vast vol
ume of products brought from the int
rior to the seaboard for export and will
strengthen an arm of the national de,
tense upon which the founders of the
government and their successors have re-
lied. In again urging immediate action
by the congress on measures to promot
American shipping and foreign trade
olrect attention to the recommendations
on the subject in previous messages and
particularly to the opinion expressed in
the message of 1899:
II am satisfied the judgment Of the
country favors the policy of aid to GU
merchant marine, which will broaden om
commerce and markets and upbuild GU
sea carrying capacity for the products o
agriculture and manufacture, which
with the increase of our navy, mean more
work and wages to our countrymen as
well as safeguard to American inter-
ests in every part of the world."'
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 t
my discussion of the subject at that time
which concluded with these words:
1T is apparent that uniformity of leg
islati0p 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 is injurious and what is useful and
necessary in business operations, may be
obtained and that means may be foun,
for the congress, within the limitation
of its constitutional power, so to supple
ment an effective code of state legislation
as to make a complete system of laws
throughout the United States adequate
to compel a general observance of the
salutary rules to which have referred.
"The whole question is so importan
and farreaching that l am sure no par
Of it will be lightly considered, but ever,
phase Of it will have the studied deliber-
Grafton 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 ap
piled by the congress.
The Philippine Question.
In my last annual message I dwelt at
some length upon the condition of affairs
in the Philippines While seeking to i'm
press upon you that the grave RESPONSE
bility of the future government of thos
Islands rests with the congress of til
United States, | abstained from recon
mending at that time a specific and final
form of government for the territory
actually held by the United States forces
and in which as long as instruction con-
tnues the military arm must necessarily
be supreme. | stated my purpose, until
the congress shall have made known the
formal expression of its will, to use the
authority vested in me by the constitu-
ton and the statutes to uphold the SOW
ereignty Of the United States in those
distant islands 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 lib
erality of congress and the people have
provided No contrary expression of the
will of the congress having been made,
have steadfastly pursued the purpose sc
declared, employing the civil arm as well
toward the accomplishment Of pacifica-
ton and the institution of local govern
ments 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 insurgents and carrying order and adj
ninistrative regularity to all quarters.
What opposition remains is for the NEST
part scattered. obeying no concerted plan
Of strategic action, operating only by
methods common to the traditions of
guerrilla warfare, which, while ineffect-
i've to alter the general control now es-
tablished, are still sufficient to beget in
security 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 self govern
ment, of education and of industrial and
agricultural development which we stand
ready to give to them.
BY the spring of this year the effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to
the authority Of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
for the extension of a stable administra-
tion over much Of the territory of the
archipelago.
The president then speaks Of the ap-
pertinent of the Philippine commission
and his instructions to that body. He
continues.
Coincidently with the entrance Of the
commission upon it's labors I caused to
be issued by General Macarthur, the
military governor of the Philippines, on
June 81. 1900, proclamation of amnesty
in generous terms, of which many of the
insurgents took advantage, among them
. number Of important leaders.
The Commission's Reports.
This commission, composed of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geo
graphical and political interests of the
country and bringing to their task the
ripe fruits of long and intelligent service
in educational, administrative and judi
eial careers, made great progress from
the outset. AS early as Aug. 81, 1900, it
submitted preliminary report, which
will be laid before the congress and from
which it appears that already the good
effects of returning order are felt; that
business, interrupted by hostilities. is i'm
proving as peace extends; that larger
area is under sugar cultivation than ever
before, that the customs revenues are
greater than at any time during the Span
ish rule, that economy and efficiency In
the military administration have created
q surplus fund of $4,000, 900 available
for needed public improvements, that a