The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-12-10

certed action which they claim is
necessary to esta blish ard maintain
non-disoriminating rates.
The act should be amended. The
railroad is a public 9 want. It's
rates should be just to and open to
all shippers alike. The government
should see to it that within it's juris-
diotion this is 80 and should provide
a speedy, inexpensive, and effective
remedy to that end. At the same
time it must not be forgotten that
our railroads are the arteries through
which the commercial lifeblood of
this nation flows. Nothing could be
more foolish than the enactment of
legislation which would unnecessar
lily interfere with the development
and operation of these commercial
agencies. The subject is one of great
Importance and calls for the earnest
attention of the Congress.
HAWAII AND PORTO RICO.
In Hawaii our aim must De to de-
velOp the territory on the traditional
American lines. We do not wish u
region of large estates titled by cheap
labor we wish a healthy American
community of men VINO themselves
till the farms they own. All Our
legislation tor she islands should be
shaped with this end in view.
1t is pleasure to say that it is
hardly more necessary to report as
81 Porto Rico than as to any State
or Territory within our continental
limits. The island is thriving as
never before, and it is being admin
istered efficiently and honestly. tts
people are now enjoying likerty and
order under the protection of the
United States, and upon this fact we
congratulate them and ourselves.
CUBAN INDEPENDENCE.
In Cuba SUCH progress has been
made toward putting the independ-
emit government of the island upon a
firm footing that before the present
session of the Congress closes this
will be an accomplished fact. Cuba
will then start as her own mistress
and to the beautiful Queen of the
Antilles, as she unfolds this new page
of her destiny, we extend our heart
lest greetings and good wishes.
GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES.
In the Philippines our problem is
larger. They are very rich tropical
islands, inhabited by many varying
tribes, representing stages CT prog
ress toward civilization. Our earnest
effort is to help these people upward
along the stony and difficult path
that leads to self-government. We
hope to make our administration of
she islands honorable to our nation
by making it of the highest benefit
to the Filipinos themselves and as
an earnest of what we intend to do,
We point to what we have done.
Already a greater measure of ma
terial prosperity and of governmental
honesty and efficiency has been at
tained in the Philippines than ever
before in their history. To leave the
islands at this time would mean that
they would fall into a welter of MUIR
derOUs anarchy. Such desertion of
duty on our part would be a crime
against humanity. The character
of Governor Taft and of his assO-
oiates and subordinates is a proof, if
such be needed, of the sincerity of
u effort to give the islanders a
constantly increasing measure of
self-gOvernment, exactly as fast as
they show themselves fit to exercise
it. Since the civil government was
esta blished not an appointment has
been made in the islands with any
reference to considerations of politi-
cal influence, or to aught else save
the fitness of the man and the needs
of the service.
In our anxiety for the welfare and
progress of the Philippines, it may
be that here and there we have gone
too rapidly in giving them local self,
government. It is on this side that
our error, if any, has been com-
mitted.
THE ISTHMIAN CANAL.
No single great material work
which remains to be undertaken on
this continent is of such consequence
to the American people as the build
ing of a canal across the Isthmus
connecting North and South Amer
ioa. Its importance to the nation is