The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1902-03-08

so far as they have announced 1t,
is contrary not only to democratic
principles but to every precedent in
the government of this country, and
the only outcome must be, if these
plans are carried into execution, the
virtual surrender Of the islands to
large capitalists and the attendant
ensIavement of the people. AS you
know, there is scheme now on foot
to purchase the land held by the
friars. That is all right as far as 1T
goes, but now the Taft Commission
represents that it will be impractl-
cal to dispose of these lands, as has
been the custom with government
lands in this country, to the small
owners and settlers. Great capital,
they say, is needed to develop the
islands, and accordingly they would
sell or lease immense tracts of land
to large corporations. 1t will then
be their policy to admit Chinese
immigration. At the present time
the labor in the islands is employed,
in so far as it is willing to be, but
they wish to import Chinese labor
for 'the development of the islands
again, which will work for from SIS
to $40 per month and find itself.
This labor will be employed in the
production of sugar andl lother.prof-
table crops, and will result iii a
menace to American industries.
stIt is true that the democrats be.
lieve there should be free trade be-
Tween the islands and the United
States until such time as the Flip.
mos are made deindependent and there
| is nothing to fear from their com
petition under ordinary circum
stances. but if the plans of the cap
italists who, now dominate affairs
are carried into effect, PRACTICAL,
free land is used for production ant
cheap Chinese labor employed, thu
competition will prove serious
Then the Commission desires au
| thority to issue bonds which will
have to be guaranteed by this coun
try for the development Of tn
islands, and so place upon the Flip
mos burden of Indebtedness the,
are ill-prepared to bear, and so al
tach them to the United Stated b
ties of Indebtedness as to foreve
prevent the requirement OF thel
freedom. There are $4,000 acres {
sugar lands in Mindora alone whic
, will yield magnificent profits unde
this nefarious scheme"
Senator Rawlins also alluded t
the railroad franchises, contract
) for public work and other benefit
which will be awarded to "the fa'
ored few" if the administration
. able to carry out its present plan
The memorial exercises of tf
late President held on Thursda
; were elaborate aud impressive. I'll
. half.masted flags, the playing
' the presidents favorite hymns |
; the Marine Band, and the euloe
of Secretary hay, which was I
9 markable for the elegance of it's di
y ton and the beauty of it's metapho
u u all combined to produce an atmo
Ii phere of sombreness that took Of
J back to the last sad rites which {
u Cured in the Capitol in Septembt
~ ~ Prince Henry of Prussia was pl
70 <, sent and preserved throughout
Is rigidity of military decorum remar
IL able from an American standpoll
K Although / watched him closely
p can safely say that he never NOV
. all inch during the entire hourar
a-half which was required for y
Is HAY to deliver his address.
nt The visit of the Prince to the !
at tional capital was great succ'
ne and he made friends with all W
,h came in contact with him. "He
me- a genuine sailor and that means
d. Jolly good fellow" remarked q ms
de Der OF the Committee on Ma
nd Affairs who had himself sailed
,e. high seas, and that, perhaps, t.
IS, the whole story.