The Ordway new era., 1913-12-05

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 inde-
pendence. and we must move toward
the time Of that independence as
steadily as the way can be cleared
and the foundations thoughtfuIly' and
permanently laid.
Acting under the authority con-
ferred upon the president by congress,
have already accorded the people of
the islands majority in both houses
OF their legislative body by appointing
Ave 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
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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 Aims
ka which seems to me very pressing
and very Imperative; perhaps should
say a 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 un
locked. One key to It Is a system Of
railways. These the government
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the ports and terminals 1t should itseli
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 ID
only the first step; Is only thrustini
in the key to the storehouse ant
throwing back the lock and opening
the door. How the tempting resource,
of the country are to be exploited II
another matter, to which shall takt
the liberty Of from time to time call
ing your attention. for II IL a policI
which must be worked out by well
considered states, not upon theory
but upon lines OF practical expediency
It II part Of our general problem O
conservation. We have y freer han,
In working out the problem in Alask,
than In the states OF the Union; ant
yet the principle and object are tn,
|ssame, wherever we touch II. We mus
use the resources of the country. no
lock them up. There need be no cor
ilict or Jealousy as between state ant
federal authorities. for there can b.
no essential difference Of purpose be
tween them. The resources In quea
tion must be used. but not destroyer
or wasted: used. but not monopolixes
upon any narrow idea of individua
rights a. against the abiding INTEREST,"
Of communities. That policy can b,
worked out by conference and conces
sion which will release these resources
and yet not leopard or dissipata
them, I for one have no doubt; and Il
can be done on lines Of regulation
which need be no less acceptable Il
the people and governments OF thu
states concerned than to the people
and government Of the nation at large
whose heritage these resources are
We must bend our counsels to thii
end. A common purpose ought Il
make agreement easy.
Three or four matters Of special i'm
portance and Significance beg tina,
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 II
renders now in improving the condt
tions Of mine labor and making tbs
mines more economically productive
as we'll as more safe. This 10 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 preserve
ton from waste of our material 70
sources.
Empfoysrs' Liability.
We owe 1t. In mere Justice to ths
railway employees Of the country. to
provide for them fair and effective
employers liability act: and Law
that we can stand by in this matter
will be no less to the advantage Of
those who administer the railroads oi
the country than to the advantage Of
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