The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-12-12

| eTOuS JUSTICE toward the people OF
Porto Rico by giving them the ample
and familiar rights and privileges ac-
corded our own citizens In 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 athoughtfully and
permanently laid.
Acting under the authority con-
ferred upon the president by congress,
I 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 coun.
sci and their sense Of the responsible
ity in the exercise 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 islands,
making test of them and modifying
them as experience discloses their
successes and their failures; that we
should more and more put under the
control of the native citizens of the
archipelago the essential instruments
| of their life, their local instrumental.
| ties of government their schools, all
the common interests Of their commu-
| mites, and so by counsel and expert
ence set up government which all
the world will see to be suitable to
people whose affairs are under their
own control.
Territorial Rights for Alaska.
A duty faces us with regard to Alas
ka which seems to me very pressing
and very Imperative; perhaps should
say double duty, for it concerns both
the political and the material develop.
ment Of the territory. The people OF
Alaska should be given the full terri.
torial form of government, and Alas.
ka, as storehouse, should be I'M
locked. One key to 1t is a system of
railways. These the government
should itself build and administer, and
the ports and terminals 1t should itself
control in the interest of all who wish
to use them for the service and de-
velopment of the country and its peo
pie.
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 matter, to which shall take
the liberty Of from time to time call
ing your attention, for 1t Is a policy
which must be worked out by we'll
considered states, 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 con-
tlict or jealousy as between state and
federal authorities, for there can be
no essential difference of purpose be-
tween them. The resources in ques-
ton must be used, but not destroyed
or wasted; used, but not monopolized
upon any narrow idea of individual
rights as against the abiding interests
of communities. That a policy can be
worked out by conference and conces.
sion which will release these resources
and yet not leopard or dissipate
them, for one have no doubt; and it
can be done on lines of regulation
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 i'm
portance and significance l beg that
you will permit me to mention in clos
ing.
Our bureau of mines ought to be
equipped and empowered to render
even more effectual service than 1t
renders now in improving the condi-
tons Of mine labor and making the
mines more economically productive
as well 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
or to our interest than the preserva-
ton from waste of our material re-
sources
Employers Liability.
We owe it, in mere justice to the
railway employees of the country, to
provide for them a fair and effective
employers liability act; and a law
that we can stand by in this matter
will be no less to the advantage of