The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1913-12-06
independence for Philippines.

the Intervention of nominating con.
ventions.
Independence for Philippines.
These are all matters of vital do
nestle concern. and besides them out
side the charmed circle of our own
national life in which our affections
command us, as well as our con-
sciences, there stand out our obliga-
lions toward our territories over sea.
Here we are trustees, Porto Rico,
Hawaii. the Philippines, are ours, once
regarded as mere possessions, are no
longer to be selfshly exploited; they
are part of the domain of public con-
science and of seryiceable and enlight-
ened craftsmanship. We must admin
lister them for the people who live in
them and with the same sense Of re-
sponsibility to them as toward our
own people in our domestic affairs. No
doubt we shall successfully enough
bind Porto Rico and the Hawaiian is
lands to ourselves by ties of justice
and affection, but the performance OF
our duty toward the Philippines is a
more difficult and debatable matter.
We can satisfy the obligations of gem
erous Justice toward the people of
Porto Rico by giving them the ample
and familiar rights and privileges &C.
corded our own citizens ia our own
territory and our obligations toward
the people of Hawaii by perfecting the
provisions of self-government already
granted them, but in the Philippines
we must go further. We must hold
steadily in view their ultimate indie
pendence and we must move toward
the time Of that independence as
steadily as the way can be cleared and
the foundations thoughtfully and per
manently laid.
Double Duty Toward Alaska.
A duty faces us with regard to Alas
ka which seems to me very pressing
and very imperative; perhaps | shoult
say double duty, for 1t concerns botf
the political and the material develop
ment of the territory. The people o
Alaska should be given the full terri
torial form of government and Alas
ka, as a storehouse, should be un
locked. One key to it is a system o
railways. These the government
should itself build and administer, an,
the ports and terminals it should itsel
control in the interest Of all who wis
to use them for the service and dc
velopment Of the country and its pee
pie.
. Specially important.
, Three or four matters of special in
, portance and significance | beg tina
. YOU will permit me to mention in clos
t ing.
, Our bureau of mines ought to b
equipped and empowered to rende
y even more effectual service than
a renders now in improving the cond
|, tons of mine labor and making tn
). mines more economically productiy
as well as more safe. This is an al
important part of the work OF CO
servation; and the conservation I
human life and energy lies even nea
er to our interest than the preserv
g ton from waste Of our material r
!, sources.
We owe it, in mere justice to Il
:, railway employees of the country,
:. provide for them a fair and effecti'
"a employers liability act; and a la
that we can stand by in this matt
will be no less to the advantage
those who administer the railroads
:, the country than to the advantage
"A those whom they employ. The expe
n ence of large number of the stat
- abundantly proves that.
"a We ought to devote ourselves
Il meeting messing demands of Dla