The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-12-05

-g ~ ~ AO ARR01A1
ment by the President of the mem
bers of b executive council or up
e house of the legislature, has
proved satisfactory and has inspired
confidence in property owners and in
vestors. 1 do no deem it advisable
at the present time to change this
form in n material feature. The
problems and needs of the island are
Industrial and commercial rattle
than political.
Insular Affairs in General.
I wish to call the attention of the
Congress to one question which eff
fects our inSular possessions gener-
ally; namely, the need of an increas-
ed liberality in the treatment of the
whole franchise question in these is
lands. Ia, the proper desire to pre-
vent the islands being exploited by
spectators and to have them deve-
Top in h interest of their own e
pie an error has been made in refus-
ing to grant sufficiently liberal terms
to induce the investment of American
capital in the Philippines and in Por-
to Rico. Elsewhere in this Message |
have spoken strongly against the
jealousy of mere wealth, and espec-
Tally of orporat wealth as such.
But it is particularly regrettable to
allow any such jealousy to be deve-
loped when We are dealing either
with our insular or with foreign af-
fairs The big corporation has ac-
hieved its present position in the |
business world simply because it is
the most effective instrument in
business competition. In foreign at
fairs we can not afford to put our
people at a disadvantage with their
competitors by in any way discrimin-
ating against the efficiency of our
business organizations. In the same
way we can not afford to allow our
insular possessions to lag behind in
Industrial development from any
twisted jealousy of business success
1t is, of course, a mere truism to say
hat the business interests of the is
lands will only be developed if it be-
comes the financial interest of some
body TO develop them. Yet this de
is n of the things most
earnestly to be wished for in the in
of the islands themselves. We
been paying all possible heed to
the political and educational inter
ests of the islands, but, important
though these objects are. it is no.
important that we should favor
industrial development. The
can in certain ways help
this directly. as by building good
roads; but the fundamental and vital
help must be given through the de-
of the Industries of h is
lands, and a most efficient mena to
his end is to encourage big Ameri
corporations to start industries
in them and this means to make it
advantageous for them to Go so. To
the ownership of mining claims
as has been done in the Philippines
is absurd. In both the Philippines
and Porto Rice he limit of holdings
Of land should be largely raised.
Alaska.
earnestly ask that Alaska be Civ
an elective Delegate. Some person
should be chosen who can speak with
authority of the nee of the Terri
tory. The Government should aid in
the construction of a railroad from
he Gulf Of Alaska to the Yukon Riv
ar, in American territory. In my last
Messages 1 advocated certain ad-
action ON behalf Of Alaska ]
shall not now repeat those recommeT
1%ations, but | shall lay all my stress
lpon the one recommendation of Civ
.ng to Alaska some one authorized to
for it. l should prefer that the
delegate be elective, but if this is not
deemed wise hen make him appoin-
i've. At any rate, give Alaska some
person whose business it shall be to
speak with authority on her behalf
10 the Congress. The natural re-
sources of Alaska are great. Some of
he chief needs of the peculiarly en-
self-reliant, and %typicallv
American white population of Alaska
were set forth in my last Message.
also earnestly ask our attention
the needs of the Alaskan Indians.
All Indians who are competent
should receive the full rights of Am
erican citizenship. 1t is. for instance.
4 gross and indefensible wrong to
1eny to such hard-working, decent
living Indians as the M~etlakahtlaS
he right to obtain licenses as cap
aims, pilots, and engineers, h right
O enter mining claims, and to profit
" the homestead law. These parti-
,ular Indians are civilized, and are
and entitled to be put on
he same basis with the white men
'ound about them
Admission to Statehood.
Il recommend that Indian Territory
Oklahoma be admitted as one
State and that New Mexico and Ari-
:ona be admitted as one State. There
S no obligation upon US to tfeat terri
joriaI subdivisions, which ART matters
If convenience only, as binding US on
he question of admission Ito state
Nothing has taken up more
lime in the Congress during the past
years than the question: as to the
statehood to be granted to the four
rerritories above mentioned, and al
careful consideration Of all that
las been developed in the discus
ions of the question ! recommend
hat they be Immediately admitted
IS two States. There is no justifica
ion for further delay; and the advis
lbiIity of making the four Terrftorie-
nto two States has been clearly es-
ln some of the Territories the ieois