The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-08-31


Philippine islands has depend the
conviction that we should lose no time
in announcing our determination to
deal with the Filipinos as we dealt
with the Cuban. Every consideration
commercially and politically, leads
to this conclusion. Such grounds as
we may need for coaling stations or
for a naval base will be readily con
coded by the Fflipinos. who simply
desire an opportunity to work out
their own destiny, inspired by our ex-
ample and aided by our advice. In
so far as our efforts have been di-
rected to the education of the Fill
pinos we have rendered them dis
tinct service. but in educating them
we recognize that we are making
colonialism impossible If we intend
to hold them as subjects we would
not dare to educate them. Self gov
eminent with ultimate independence
must be assumed if we contemplate
universal education in the Philip
pines.
Will of People Is Law.
In several of the nations of Europe
the legislative department of gov
eminent is more quickly responsive
to public sentiment than in our con-
gress. In England, for instance, where
the ministry is formed from the DOM
inant party, when an election is held
upon any important issue the govern
ment proceeds to put into law the
will of the people expressed at the
polls. While our system is superior
In many respects, it has one defect,
viz: that congress does not meet in
regular session until thirteen months
after the election. During this period
there Is uncertainty, long drawn out,
which to the business community is
often more damaging than a change
OF policy promptly carried into ef-
feet. Would not the situation be i'm
proved by a constitutional amend
ment converting the first session of
congress within few months af-
ter the election and compelling the
second session to adjourn several
days before the following election?
Such change would not only serve
legitimate business interests and give
the public the benefit of more relief
through remedial legislation, but it
would protect the people from the
Jobs that are usually reserved for
the short session, which is now had
after the short session, when many
If the members feel less responsible
" because of their defeat at the polls.
People Should Elect Senators.
l am more than convinced than
before of the Importance of a change
N the method of electing United
States senators. There is noticeable
everywhere a distinct movement to-
ward democracy in it's broadcast sense.
In all the countries 1 have visited
here is a demand that the govern
nent be brought nearer the people,
IN China constitution is under con.
'ideration. In Japan the people are
that the ministry. instead
If being chosen by the emperor from
among his particular friends, shall be
selected from parliament and be in
harmony with the dominant senti-
ment. In India there is agitation
or native congress. In Russia the
,zar has been compelled to recognize
popular voice in the establishment of
donna n fhrO,1rhouf
manifests itself in various
orms. 1t must be difficult to over
the strategetic advantages of
his reform, for since every bill must |
'eceive the sanction of the senate, as
we'll as the house of representatives |
before it becomes a law, no important |
legislation of a national character i
S possible until the senate is brought |
INTO harmony with the people.
l am within the limits of truth |
when 1 say that the senate has been
or years the bulwark of predatory
wealth and it even now contains so |
many members who owe their election
% favor seeking corporations and
Who are so subservient to their mas
ers as to prevent needed legislation. !
As the popular branch of congress
las four times declared in favor of
his reform by a two-thirds vote and |
more than two-thirds of the senate
lave demanded 1t, and yet the SEN
tie arrogantly and impudently blocks
he way.
Advocates Income Tax.
The income tax, which some in our |
country have defined as a socialistic |
lttack upon wealth. I am pleased to
eport, has the endorsement of the
most conservative countries in the
I'D world. 1t is a permanent part
# the fiscal systems of most of the
countries of Europe, and in many
places it is graded tax, the rate be-
ng the highest On the largest in
omes. England has long depended
lpon the income tax for a consider
bile part Of her revenues and an
english commission is now investi-
Eating the proposition to change from
. uniform to a graded tax.