The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-03

and our obligations toward the peo-
! pie OF Hawaii by perfecting the pro-
visions for government already
| granted them, but In the Philippines
we must go further We must hold
steadily in view their ultimate inde-
/ pendence, and we must move toward
/ the time of that independence as
steadily as the way can be cleared
and the foundations thoughtfully
! and permanently laid.
! Acting under the authority con-
ferred upon the President by Con-
gress, | have already accorded the
! people of the islands majority in
/ both houses of their legislative body
/ by appointing FIVE instead OF four
/ native citizens to the membership OF
/ the commission. ! believe that In
+ this way we shall make proof OF
their capacity in counsel and their
sense of responsibility IN the exer-
/ else of political power, and that the
/ success OF this step will be sure to
/ clear our view for the steps which
/ are to follow Step by step we
! should extend and perfect the sys-
! tenn of self government In the ISL
/ ands. making test of them and modi-
/ fvfng them as experience discloses
/ their successes and their failures;
that we should more and more put
under the control of the native citf-
zens of the archipelago the essential
instruments of their life. their local
] instrumentalities of government,
their schools, all the common inter-
ests of their communities, and so
| by counsel and experience set up a
government which all the world will
see to be suitable to people whose
affairs are under their own control.
At last, I hope and believe, We are
! beginning to gain the confidence OF
the Filipino peoples. BY their coun-
sci and experience, rather than by
our own, we shall learn how best to
serve them and how soon 1t will DO
possible and wise to withdraw our
supervision. Let us once find the
path and set out with firm and con-
fident tread upon 1t and we shall
not wander from II or linger upon 1t.
A duty faces us with regard to
Alaska which seems to be very press
ing and very imperative; perhaps
should say a double duty, for 1t con-
Germs both the political and the ma
terlal development of the Territory.
The people OF Alaska should be given
the full Territorial form of govern
ment, and Alaska, as a storehouse,
should be unlocked. One key to it is
system of railways. These the Gov
eminent should itself build and ad-
minister, and the ports and terminals
it should itself control In the interest
of all who wish TO use them for the
service and development of the coun-
try and its people.
But the construction of railways Is
only the first step; is only thrusting
In the key TO the storehouse and
throwing back the lock and opening
the door. How the tempting resources
of the country are to be exploited is
another .ssatter-te- which shall take
the liberty of from time 10 time call
ing your attention for il is a policy
which must be worked out by well-
considered stages, not upon theory,
but upon lines of practical expediency.
1t Is part of our general problem OF
conservation. We have a freer hand In
working out the problem In Alaska than
in the States of the Union, and yet
the principle and object are the same,
wherever we touch it. We must use
the resources OF the country. not lock
them up. There need be no conflict
or jealousy as between State and Fed
eral authorities. for there can be no
essential differences OF purpose be-
tween them. The resources in ques-
ton must be used, but not destroyed
or wasted, used, but not monopolixed
upon any narrow idea of individual
rights as against. the abiding inter-
eats of communities. That a policy
can be worked out by conference and
concession which will release these
resources and yet not leopard or dis
sipate them. for one have no doubt;
and 1t can be done on lines OF regula-
ton which need be no less acceptable
to the people and governments Of the
States concerned than to the people
and Government of the Nation at
large, whose heritage these resources
are. We must bend our counsels to
this end. A common purpose ought to
make agreement easy
Three or four matters Of special
importance and significance | beg
that you will permit me to mention In
closing.
Our Bureau OF Mines ought to be !
equipped and empowered to render
even more effectual service than it
renders now In improving the condi. /
lions OF mine labor and making the |
mines more economically productive |
as we'll as more safe. This is an all |
Important part of the work OF con-
servation; and the conservation of |
human life and energy lies even near |
er to our interest than the preserva-
ton from waste of our material re- |
sources.
We owe 1t, in mere justice to the |
railway employees OF the country, to |
provide for them fair and effective |
employers liability act; and law
Il.