Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-12-15

eiN' ~ s"Nhh "ety ehN ~ ~ o-'~
them no sort of reward.
The Philippine Islands.
During the past year the philippine Isl.
ands have been slowly recovering from
the series of disasters which, since Ameri-
can occupation. have greatly reduced the
amount Of agricultural products below
what was produced in Spanish times. The
war, the rinderPest, the lo,custs, the
as causes to prevent a return of the pros
perity much needed in the islands. The
income Of the Philippine government has
necessarily been reduced by reason of the
business and agricultural depression in tho
islands, and the government has been
obliged to exercise great economy, to cut
has adopted an internal.revcnue law
i amp GIstlll faTes llo 9n e's anii S aSoIishins
the old Spanish industrial taxes. The
come derived from 1t has partly made up
for the reduction In customs revenue. There
has been Il marked Increase in the number
OF Filtplnos employed In the civil service,
and n corresponding decrease in the num-
Der OF Americans.
improvements OF hlrbors, roads, and
bridges continue, although the cutting down
OF the revenue forbids the expenditure of
any great amount from current Income for
these purposes. Disturbances have all now
been suppressed. and it is hoped that with
these lessons local governments can be
formed which will secure quiet and peace
to the deserving inhabitants. The Incl.
dent Is another proof of the fact that II
there has been any error as regards giving
self-govcrnmcnt in the Philippines 1t has
been in the direction OF giving it too quick
ly, not too slowly.
The agricultural conditions of the islands
enforce more strongly than ever the argu-
mcnt in favor of reducing the tariff on the
products OF the Philippine Islands entering
the United States. l earnestly
that the tariff now imposed by the Dinglay
bill upon the products OF the Philippine ISL
ands be entirely removed. except the tariff
on sugar and tobacco, and that that tariff
rates under the Dinglcy act; that after
July l, 1909, the tariff upon tobacco and
sugar produced In the philippine Islands
between the islands and the United States
In the products Of each country then be
provided for by law.
Problems of Hawaii.
In my judgment immediate steps should
be taken for the fertilization of Hawaii.
This Is the most important point In the Pa.
ciic to fortify in order to conserve the In
~tcrests of this country. Hawaii is too hctv-
lily taxed. Laws should be enacted setting
aside for n period of, say, twenty years, rs
per cent Of the internal revenue and Gus
toms receipts from Hawaii as a special fund
tional and public buildings, and for harbor
improvements and military and naval de-
lenses. Hawaii has serious commercial and
industrial problems to reckon with; but no
measure of relief can be considered which
looks to legislation admitting Chinese and
restricting them by statute to field labor
anu Niii'N S'lNt't In SluIuS VI Scr
Witty can never again be tolerated on Amer
lean soil.
Porto Rican Affairs.
I earnestly, advocate the adoption of leg
lean citizenship on all citizens of Porto
Rico. The problems and needs of the island
are industrial and commercial rather than
political.
InsaIar Affairs In General.
wish also to call the attention of the
Congress to one question which affects
our insular possessions generally: name
ly, the need of an Increased llberality in
question in these Islands. In the proper
desire to prevent the islands being ex-
Ihsm develop BY sR q" ne Interest s"a t of t anss
own people an error has been made In re.
fusing to grant sufficiently liberal terms to
induce the Investment Of American capital
in the Philippines and In Porto Rico. We
have been paying all possible heed to the
political and educational interests Of the
jects are, 1t is not less important that we
should favor their Industrial development.
Admission 10 Statehood.
I recommend that Indian Territory and
Oklahoma be admitted MS one State and
as one State. There Is no justification for
further delay; and the advisability Of max.
Ing the four territories into two States has
been clearly established.
The Canal.
The treaty between the United State,
and the Republic OF Panama, under which
the construction of the Panama canal was
ratification by the United States Senate
on Feb. %, 1904. The canal properties OF
the French. Canal Company were trans
1904, on payment of $4,000, 00o to that
company. Active work in canal construc.
ton. mainly preparatory, has been In
During that period two points about the
canal have ceased to be open to debate.
First, the question Of route; the canal will
be built on the lsthmus of Panama. Sec
ond, the question of feasibility; there are
no physical obstacles on this route that
American engineering skill will not be able
that viii prevent the completion OF tie
canal within a reasonable time and at a
reasonable cost.
The point which remains unsettled Is the
question OF type, whether the canal shall
be one of several locks above sea level, or
at sea level with n single tide lock. On
this point ! hope TO lay before the Con
gress at an early dny the findings OF the
advisory board of American and European
engineers, that at my invitation have been
considering the subject, together with the
report of the commission thereon; and such
thereon or recommendations In
reference thereto as may seem necessary.
The American people are pledged to the
speedicst possible construction of a canal
adequate to meet the demands which the
commerce of the WORKS will make upon 1t,
and l appeal most earnestly to the Con
Grcss to aid in the fulfllment of the
pledge. Gratifying progress has been
made during the past year and especially
during the past four months. Thu greater
part of the necessary preliminary work
has been done. Actual work of excavation
could be begun only on n limited scale till
the canal zone was made q healthful place
70 1--we In and TO work in The tsthmus had
to be sanitated first. This task has been
so thoroughly accomplished that yellow
fever has been virtually extirPated from
the isthmus and general health conditions
vastly Improved.
In addition to snnitnting the isthmus.
satisfactory quarters are being provided
for employees and an adequate system
of supplying them with wholesome
created. Hospitals have been estab.
Iished and equipped that are with
out superiors of their kind anywhere:
During the past yenr n large portion of
the plant with which the work Is to be
done has been ordered. 1t Is confidently
believed that by the middle of the ap.
proach!ng year d sufficient proportion OF
this plant will have been installed to en-
able us to resume the work Of excavation
on n large scale.
What is needed now and without delay Is
an appropriation by the Congress to meet
the current aud accruipg expenses of the
commission. The first appropriation of $40,
900. coo, ont OF the $13J.0OO, 600 authorized
by the Spooner act. was made three years
ago. 1t Is nearly exhausted. There Is
barely enough of 1t remaining to carry the
commission to the end of the year. I'm
less the Congress shall appropriate before
that time ali work must cease. and there
will lie decentralization of the forces, here
and on the isthmus, now working so har-
moniously and effectively, IL there Is delay
In granting an emergency appropriation.