The Forrest City times., 1904-12-09
The Philippines.


 during the past year a continuation of the steady progress which has obtained ever since our troops definitely got the upper hand of the insurgents The Phil ipplne people. or. to speak more accur- ately. the many tribes and even races sundered from one another more or less sharply, who go to make up the people of the Philippine islands, contain many elements of good. and some elements which We have a right to hope stand for progress. At present they are utterly incapable of existing in independence at all or of building up civilization of their own. l firmly believe that we can help them to rise higher and higher in the scale of civilization and of capacity for government, and l most earnest ly hope that in the end they will be able to stand if not entirely alone, yet in some such relation to the United States as Cuba now stands. This end Is not yet in sight, and it may be indefinitely post poned if our people are foolish enough to turn the attention of the Ffliplnos away from the problems Of achieving moral and material prosperity. of working for a stable. orderly and just government. and toward foolish and dangerous in- trigues for a complete independence for which they are as yet totally unfit.
 "On the other hand our people must keep steadily before their minds the fact that the justification for our stay in the
 
 upon the good we are able to do in the islands l do not overlook the fact that in the development of our interests In the Pacific ocean and along its coasts. the Philippines have played and will play an important part and that our interests have been served in more than one way by the possession of the islands. But our chief reason for continuing to hold them must be that We ought in good faith to try to do our share of the world 8 work. and this particular piece of work has been imposed upon us by the results of the war with Spain
 Every measure taken concerning the islands should be taken primarily with a view to their advantage. We should cer- taInly give them lower tariff rates on their exports to the United States if this Is not done it will be & wrong to ex- tend our shipping laws to them. I earn estly hope for the immediate enactment | Into law of the legislation now pending | to encourage American capital to seek | investment in the islands in railroads. in | factories, in plantations. and in lumber | ing and mining
 Other Matters. stringent employers liability law is | urged. against nonunion employes, and suggests | iegisIation to prevent banding or letter | carriers to defeat congressman who refuse | to promise 10 diu theiu- ..t. 1 investigation of child labor ana chio | labor legislation is urged.
 Need for a systematic investigation into and Improving of housing conditions in | Washington is suggested. Compulsory school law for city urged, Says limits of Yellowstone park shouid | he extended and that canyon of he Colorado 1 should be made a national park | Progress of Indians towards elVlIlzaNon 1 has been satisfactory.
 ] Saws consular service needs improvement and recommends substitution or salarles i president calls attention to extravaganza | in nriuting government publications and | says amount could be decreased oy at least | one-half without harm.
 | Law recommended against bribery and | corruption in federal elections. | feclares work of upbuilding the Amer. | ican navy should be continued.