Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-11
CORNISH ON PHILIPPINES
Congressional Candidate Outlines His Plan
for Dealing with Islands.
ULTIMATE INDEPENDENCE FOR FILIpNos
Policy of President Mckinley Plain
and worthy Of support by All
Republicans at All
Times.

OMAHA, May 10.-To the Editor OF The
Bee: Since presenting myself as a candidate
FOR the republican nomination for congress I
am advised that some who have followed re-
cent political discussion do not approve OF
my views regarding the course to be pursued
In the Philippine islands, yet my opinions
were well known when the republicans Of
this district sent me as a delegate to the
national convention two years ago to assist
In framing the national republican plat
form. / antsgonized the Spanish treaty at
the time Mr.. Bryan was advising its rati-
heation. It is gratifying to me to note that
no less an authority than Judge Taft, presi-
dent Of the Philippine commission. has re-
Gently declared the acquisition Of the Phil
4ppine Islands to have been a mistake.
In the last presidential campaign, in the
face Of democratic charges and the asser-
tioH Of some republicans, I denied tina the
republican party would break faith with
Cuba. Cuban independence is now assured.
/ denied that II was the republican policy
TO permanently maintain an arbitrary, mill
tary form OF government in the Philippines.
Today three members Of the Philippine
commission, q majority Of the judges Of the
supreme court, nearly all OF the governors
OF the provinces, and / believe all Of the
chief magistrates OF the municipalities are
Ftlipinos. This is a growth in the right di-
Eection. l denied that eur motives In the
east were to obtain a division OF the spells
when China should be divided. The crisis
in China came. We we're there. But to
the glory of President Mckinley, history
will record that we were there to preserve
peace. to do Justice, to lead the armies Of
Europe out Of that land, leaving the gov
nme thereof to it's own inhabitants.
But It is useless to discuss the past ex-
cept as It may bear upon pending issues.
Some Questions of Policy.
Existing conditions should be considered
IN determining present policies. Several
Interesting problems confront us.
1. What should be the course of Iegisla-
zion In reference to the modern tendency
OF capital to become centralized and COM
bined in order to economic production, ex-
tend trade, prevent competition and secure
monopoly
2. In matters relating to the distribution
Of the products Of toll between wage Garner
and capitalist and in the various social and
labor problems that are daily assuming
more Importance, what will be the effect
Of the Acknowledgement in the southern
states Of two-thirds Of the population, who
happen to be colored. but who are in fact
the laboring population Of the south2
8. Shall the Filipinos be given a form Of
government approaching the form Of gov
rnmen in our territories with a view to
ultimate admission as states In this union,
or shall the form of government given to
them be adapted to ultimate independence
Of the islands. or shall It be so adapted as
10 hold them indefinitely after the manner
Of crown colonies7
raco0niza tho uharraaamap ~ hoxtuc
we'll known and often expressed views upon
these questions, whilst my most formidable
competitor for the nomination, although he
has visited the Philippine islands and has
been called upon officially to investigate and
form opinions upon all these questions has
never, to my knowledge, given utterance to
any statements which permit us to know
his views upon any mooted question. He
De therefore antagonized by 40 one on ac-
count OF his convictions. l am not disposed
to underrate the strength or ability of an
opposing candidate or speak slightingly OF
his political system that for ten years has
worked SO we'll. Yet l cannot initiate him,
n at the risk of defeat desire all men to
know my position.
I want no privileges in government that
are not the equal privileges OF all its citi-
gems. l look upon equality before the law
Dt capitalist and laborer, OF white man,
black man and brown man, as a necessary
condition precedent to the proper solution
of all social and economic questions. spe-
cial privileges possessed by favored classes
OF by men Of a particular color will sooner
or later be found a bar to future develop
ment. and will be attended by the evils that
always follow injustice.
End of n Philippine Matter.
The acceptance Of the Philippine islands
rs q territory with a view to ultimate in
corporation as a state, In line with the pass
precedents Of this country. seems to me tc
be open to all the objections that have
heretofore caused the adoption Of lmmigra-
lion restriction laws. The racial charac.
teristics Of the Filipinos are such tina
without radical changes which could not be
brought about within q century they would
be unsatisfactory citizens to pass upon the
great social and economic problems thai
are confronting highly civilized peoples
To admit them. therefore, into full priv,
Seges OF citizenship within any reasonable
Sime seems to me to invite corruption. Or