The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-12-14

| copy. as regards Niagara what the State Of
California has done as regards the Yosem-
ite:, Nothing should be allowed to interfere
with the preservation Of Niagara Falls In
all their beauty and majesty.
The Philippine Islands.
During the past year the Philippine ISL
ands have been slowly recovering from
the series OF disasters which, since Ameri-
amount of agricultural products below
what was produced in Spanish times The
war. the rinderpest. the locusts, the
drought, and the cholera have been united
as causes to prevent return OF the pros
perlty much needed in the Islands. The
income OF the Philippine government has
necessarily been reduced by reason of the
business and agricultural depression In the
lslanus ana the government has been
Obliged to exercise great economy to cut
down It's expenses, TO reduce salaries, and
has adopted an internal-revenue law
iinposng taxes on cigars cigarettes,
and distilled liquors, and abollshlng
the ola Spanish industrial taxes. The
come derived from 1t mas partly made I'm
Tor the reduction In customs revenue. There
mas neen marked Increase in the number
OF flIipinos employed In the civil SERVICE
ana corresponding decrease in the mum.
Der OF Americans.
improvements of harbors. roads, and
oridges continue although the cutting down
OF tho revenue forbids the expenditure OF
any great amount from current income for
these purposes. Disturbances have all now
been suppressed, and 1t is hoped that with
these lessons local governments can be
formed which VIII secure quet and peace
to the deserving inhabitants. The Incl.
uent is another proof Of the fact that IL
there mas been any error MS regards giving
seIt-government In the Philippines II has
been In the direction Of giving 1t too quick
ly. not too slowly.
The agricultural conditions of the Islands
enforce more strongly than ever the argu.
ment In favor of reducing the tariff on the
products . OF the Philippine Islands entering
the United states. l earnestly recommend
that the tariff now imposed by the Dinrley
bill upon the products OF the Philippine ISL
ands be entirely removed. except the tariff
ON sugar and tobacco, and that that tariff
be reduced to 70 per cent of the present
rates under the Dingley act; that after
July !, 1909 the tariff upon tobacco and
be entirely removed and that free trade
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
This is the most important point In the Pa
cifc to fortify In order to conserve the In.
terests of this country. Hawaii is too heav-
lily taxed. She has serious commercial and
industrial problems to reckon with; but no
measure of relief can be considered which
looks TO legislation admitting Chinese and
and domestic service The status of ser.
lean soil.
Porto Rtcnn Affairs.
! earnestly advocate the adoption of leg.
islation which will explicitly confer Amer
lean citizenship on ali citizens Of Porto
Rico. The problems ard needs OF the island
are industrial and commercial rather than
political.
Insulnr Affairs in General.
wish also to call the attention of the
Congress to one question which Affects
our insular possessions generally: namc-
Y, the need Of an increased ltberali,y in
question In these Islands. In the proper
desire to prevent the islands being ex-
PLOTTED IIoh dovsy,on by spectators and to have
own people an error has been made In re.
fuslng to grant sufficiently liberal terms To-
ihduce 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
Islands, but, Important though these OBJ
lects are, 1t is not less important that we
should favor their Industrial DEVELOPMENT.
Admission TO Statehood.
/ recommend that Indian Territory and
Oklahoma be admitted rs one State and
that New Mexico and Arizona be admitted
as one State. There is no justification for
further delay; and the adyisability of maxi
Ing the four territories into two States has
been clearly established.
The Panama Canal.
The treaty between tho United states
ana the Republic OF Panama, under which
the construction Of the Panama canal was
mage possible, went into effect with its
ratification by the United States senate
on Feb. %, 1901. The canal properties of
the French Canal Company were trans
ierred ie to the United states on April %.
company. Active work In canal construc.
ton. mainly preparatory, has been in
progress Tor less than year and a half.
During that period two points about the
cahill nave cpuSpu bp In bnt
First, the question Of route; the canal will
be built on the lsthmus of Panama. See
ond, the question of feasibility; there are
no physical obstacles ON this route that
American engineering skill will not be able
10 overcome without serious difficulty, or
that that, VIII prevent the Completion OF the
canal within reasonable time and at q
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 single tide lock. on
this point l hope TO lay before the Con.
gress at an carly day 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
comments thereon or recommendations In
reference thereto as may seem necessary.
The American people are pledged to the
speediest possible construction OF canal
adequate to meet the demands which the
commerce Of the world will make upon II,
and 1 appeal most earnestly to the Con.
gress to aid in the fulhllment of the
pledge. Gratifying progress has been
made during the past year and especially
during the past four months. The greater
part OF the necessary preliminary work
has been done. Actual work of excavation
could be begun only on n limited scale tin
the canal zone was made healthful place
to live In and to work in. The isthnus had
to be sanltated first This task has been
so thoroughly accomplished that yellow
fever has been virtually cXtirpatcd from
the isthmus and general health conditions
vastly improved.
In addition to sanitatng the isthmus,
satisfactory quarters are being provided
for employees and an adequate system
Of supplying them with wholesome
food at reasonable prices has been
created. Hospitals have been estab-
lished and equipped that are with.
out superlors Of their kind anywhere.
During the past year n large portion Of
the plant with which the work Is to ha
done has been ordered. II Is confidently
believed that by the middle OF the ap-
proaching year sufficient proportion OF
this plant will have been Installed to en-
able us to resume the work of excavation
on u large scale.
What is needed now and without delay 10
an appropriation by the Congress to meet