The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-16
RECIPROCITY.
Congressman Long Makes a
Great Speech Today
At the Chautauqua Exercises at
Ottawa Park.
TELLS WHAT 1T is.
Reciprocity as Blaine, Mckinley
and Roosevelt Know 1t.
Severe, Yet Nameless, Arraign-
ment of Senator Burton.

m6uC OI SendUOr DuTUOus
Ottawa, July 16.-The principal event
at the Chautauqua assembly in the
park today was the speech of Chester 1.
Long, the Kansas congressman from the
Seventh district He spoke on "Reci-
procity With Cuba" as follows:
Reciprocity With Cuba
Congress has adjourned, and the
question is asked What did it do, and
what did it leave undone2"
Since the war with Spain, much time
has been spent in dealing with the
questions growing out of that war
This congress is Republican, and it
has always been characteristic of that
party to perform. 1t is party of ac-
ton. 1t is a party that promises and
then fulfills. 1t has always been able to
do things. A majority of the people
march under it's banners because to a
greater degree than any other party, its
promises can be relied upon. 1t is oniy
necessary to read it's platforms. and
then examine the laws that follow, to
ascertain that it is it's purpose and OBJ
Ject to keep its promises. That is the
reason it has been successful at the
polls and retains the confidence of the
people.
Before the war with Spain was over,
it was realized that Hawaii would be an
important and valuable possession of
the United States and that its location
in the Pacific in the direct route to the
Orient would be of great advantage to
us in peace or war.
The congress that passed the inter
vention resolution also passed the joint
resolution that annexed Hawaii to the
United States.
That congress also passed a warreve-
nue. act that produced revenue sufficient
to carry on the war.
When the Oregon sailed from our Pa
cific coast around Cape Horn. and par
ticipated in the destruction of Cervera' S
fleet, an eager and expectant people
watched the progress of that great snip
as she touched this harbor and that, on
her way from the Pacific to the AT
lantic We all knew then the import
ance of digging an isthmian canal.
The war ended with our acquisition
of Porto Rico and the Philippine ISL
ands, and with our military occupation
of Cuba.
The last congress gave Porto Rico
civil government, and provided for abb
solute free trade between that island
and the United States.
A territorial form of government was
given Hawaii, and we also gave it un-
restricted free trade with the United
States to which it belongs
WHAT THIS CONGRESS HAS DONE
This congress has enacted some very
important legislation. We passed law
to provide revenue for the Philippine Is
lands, and legalize the tariff system eS-
tablished there by the Philippine COM
mission. Manila hemp, the principal
product of that island, is admitted duty
free into the United States and all 9TH
er articles from the Philippine Islands
pay duty of rs per cent of the duties
collected from foreign countries. The
law also contains provision that will
result in making the United States the
center and controlling power in the
hemp market of the world.
This congress has also provided for a
civil government for the people of the
Philippine Islands. Provision is made
for census. and upon it's completion
and after two years of peace, a legisla-
tive assembly, elected by the people, is
provided for. On the Fourth of July
of this year, the president issued a
proclama ton granting full amnesty and
establishing complete civil government
in the islands.
This congress also repealed the war
revenue act, thus leaving the taxes COL
lected the same as before the war with
Spain.
This congress authorized the con-
struction of the isthmian canal, thus con-
summat ting the legisla ton that has
been under consideration for half a CEN
tury.
We also enacted national irrigation
law that will enable the people of the
western states to begin the work of
reclamation of the arid lands by con-
serving the waters of the rivers that
now rush to the gulf carrying destruc-
tion in their wake.
1t will thus be seen that the present
congress has not been idle. 1t has con-
sidered many great questions and en-
acted many laws. 1t has honora bly,
and faithfully carried out the promises
made to the people who placed the par
ty in power.
WHAT WAS LEFT UNDONE
While legislation affecting Porto
Rico, Hawaii and the Philippine Islands
has been enacted, there is one subject
considered Of bo loc
sion that has been left for future set
tlement.
We went to war with Spain to free
Cuba, and not to assist Porto Rico and
the Philippine Islands, or to bring the
people of these islands permanently un-
der our flag. But results widely differ
ent from those anticipated frequently
follow war; The great war was be-
gun to save the Union, but one of its
results was the abolition of slavery ev-
erywhere beneath the flag The war
with Spain that was begun to free Cuba
has resulted in greater benefit to Porto
Rico and the Philippine Islands than to
Cuba Porto Rico is under our flag
and has absolute free trade. The Phil
fppine Islands have free trade in their
principal product and pay rs per cent
, of our tariff rates on products entering
our markets. Hawaii also has free
trade, but Cuba, with flag of her own.
Is in a financial condition similar to
that which existed under the rule of
Spain We have thus far refused to
make any concessions to the products
of the island. After all. political free
dom is of but little value if it does not
carry with it commercial opportunities
and the ability of the people to thrive
and prosper in a business way
Everyone knows that the Cuban in
surrection against Spain was brought
on by the economic conditions in the
. island The United States always has
been and always will continue to be the
market for the products of Cuba. Her
principal products are sugar and to-
baceo, of which we import large quanti-
why should we not secure what we