Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-08
Home Rule for Guam.

remOte,-tndt racine CaDle sui DelnS
a dream 1of the future.-that it isn't
often that it gets in a message to head
wen worth reading. 1t - has been so
ever since that spring morning in 1888,
when the people OF the island promptly
accepted the new destiny that burst
upon them before they knew that
Spain and the United States We're at
war. This time the island puts in a
plea for home rule The petition which
comes 10 Congress isn't long one. for
there are not many residents to sign,
or VINO are able to sign, but their re-
quest is none the less worthy of con-
sderation. While Uncle Sam is doing
SO much for the Philippines and Porto
Rico and giving them so large a meas
ure of self government, and fulfilling
his pledge to Cuba, he must not forget
loyal little Guam. which m2,Ies no
trouble or necessary fuss and asks
a reasonable favor with courtesy and
in n spirit Of devotion to American
principles.
Thirty-two Of the inhabitants of
Guam. all of them with Spanish names,
hdNe petitioned the government Of the
United States to send out a commits
sion charged with the same duties as
fell upon the first Philippine Commits
sion: that is. to study the situation and
needs of the people and to recommend
to Congress a plan for the establish
ment of permanent government.
This petition is one of the most inter-
esting documents ever received by
Congress. The 30 signers describe
themselves as citizens Of the island Of
Guam, a dependency of the United
States of America" and they recognize
without complaint or evasion their pc
culiar relation to the government at
Washington. In the language of the
petition they are loyal subjects Of the
United States" They declare them
selves anxious TO mould our institu-
tons to the American standard, and
prepare ourselves and our children for
the obligations and the enjoyment of
the rights to which, as loyall subjects
of the United States, we feel ourselves
rightfully entitled n
1t is interesting to note that this
representative body of the inhabitants
of one of our new possessions is not
afraid to use the words that stir with
awful anguish the hearts of the Bos-
| ton "antis.' They are not independ-
of Guam. but subjects of the United
States. They inform Congress that
they welcomed the change of SOW
ereignty, and that they have never
hampered the American Government
by disaFection or opposition, ''but, on
the contrary. have been loyal, law
| abiding and patient, supporting the
Government morally and materially, as
| opportunity offered, frequently at con-
|
| they desire is a change, at the pleasure
| and convenience OF Congress, from a
| temporary military government to a
permanent civil establishment. This
request is not prompted by dissatis-
| faction with the military rule which
they have hitherto experienced. "Were
/ I,,I- ~. tI,A
| Quantities say. lit would be to praise
rather than to criticise: and we ac-
knowledge with pleasure the manifest
policy, since the establishment of the
present Government, to minimize the
| hardships of military rule: but defects
are inherent in the system, which from
its nature makes impossible really
efficient and stable government, and
from Congress alone can relief be ex-
best, they add with earnestness, lis
distasteful and repugnant to fundamen-
tai principles"
Not a little weight is given to this
petition by the fact that the military
governor of Guam, Commander
Schroeder Of the navy, gives it cordial
approval. He writes that the 80 sign
ers represent the conservative and
most intelligent people Of the island,
and that they have given the question
of government much study and consid-
era ton. He certifes to their loyalty,
patience and aw-abiding attitude I'M
der military rule. He. too, favors the
establishment of civil government in
n proper degree of home rule. Surely,
| under these conditions the island of
Guam. little but loyal and on the right
track. should have it's commission and
its civil government