Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-28
MESSAGE TO SEN ATE
President Urges Passage of the Phil
 inpine Tariff

ippine Tariff.
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 2s.-The presi- dent has sent the following message to the senate:
 "I have just received a cable from Governor Taft which runs as follows: Necessity for passage house tariff bill most urgent. The conditions of produc- tive industry and business considera- bly, worse than in November, the date of last report, and growing worse each month. Some revival in sugar. Tobac- co prices due to expectation of tarifr law. The interests of EfHpinos in sug- ar and tobacco extensive, and failure of bill will be blow in face of those in terests. Number of tobacco factories will have to close, and many sugar haciendas will be put up for sale at sacrifice if the bill will not pass. Gus toms receipts have fallen off this month one-third, showing decrease of purchas- ing power of islands. General business stagnant. All political parties, includ- ing labor unions, most strenuous in pe- htion for tariff bill. Effect of it's failure very discouraging.'
 tYice Governor Luke Wright indorses In the strongest manner all that Gov ernor Taft has said and states that he has the gravest apprehension as to the damage that may come to, the islands if there is not substa ntial reduction in the tariff levied against Philippine goods coming into the United States. very earnestly ask that this matter receive the immediate attention of con- gress and that the relief prayed for be granted.
 "As congress knows, series of ca lamities have befaIlen the Philippine people. Just as they were emerging from nearly six years of devastating warfare, with the accompanying de- struction of property and the breaking up of the bonds of social order and the habits of peaceful industry, there oc- cured an epidemic of rinderpest which destroyed 90 per cent of the carabaos,. the Filipino cattle, crippling transpor- tation. The rice crop, already reduced by various causes to but fourth of it's ordinary size, has been damaged by To- custs so that the price of rice has near ly doubled.
 "Under these circumstances there is imminent danger of famine in the is- lands. Congress is in course of gener- ously appropriatfng $3,000,000 to meet the immediate needs, but the indispen- sable and eminent need is the res urrection of productive industry from the prostration into which it has been thrown by the causes above enumerat- l ed. I ask action in the tariff matter not merely from the standpoint of wise governmental policy, but as measure 1 of humanity in response to an appeal to which this great people should not l close it's ears. We have assumed re- responsibilities toward the Philippine Is- lands which we are in honor bound to fulfll. We have the specific duty of taking every measure in our power to see to their prosperity.
 "The first and most important step in this direction has been accomplished by the Joint action of the military and civil authorities in securing peace and I civil government. The wisdom of con- gross at the present session has provid- l ed for them a stable currency, and its spirit of humane hberality and justice toward them will be shown in the ap- l propriatdon now substantially agreed upon of $3,ooO, 900 to meet the pressing immediate necessities, but there re- 1 mains a vital need that one thing fur ther shall be done. The caaamities which have befallen them, as above enumerated could have been averted by no human wisdom. They cannot be completely repaired, but the suffering can be greatly alleviated and perma- nent basis of future prosperity assured if the economic relations of the islands with the United States are put upon 8 satisfactory basis"