Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-12-04

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 selfgovernment 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
permanently laid.
Acting under the authority con-
ferred upon the president by congress,
| have already accorded the people OF
the islands a majority in both houses
Of their legislative body by appointing
FIVE instead OF four native citizens to
the membership OF the commission. l
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 viii
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
Azt- q. I've Ar1., tot A..
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 q
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 oil
Alaska should be given the full terri
torial form Of government, and Alas
ka. as storehouse, should be un
locked. One key to II is q system oil
railways. These the government
should itself build and administer, and
the ports and terminals It should itseli
control in the interest OF all who wish
to use them for the service and de
velopment OF the country and It's PEG
pie.
But the construction OF railways II
only the first step; is only thrustine
in the key to the storehouse ant
throwing back the lock and opening
the door. How the tempting resources
OF the country are to be exploited II
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 o.
| conservation. I'VE have a freer hanS
in working out the problem in Alask,
than In the states OF the Union; anC
| yet the principle and object are tn,
same, wherever we touch It, We mus
| uSc tLc ACHOultSb vi lut COuutIIt uO
lock them up. There need be no con
flict or jealousy as between state anC
federal authorities, for there can b,
no essential difference OF purpose be
tween them. The resources in ques
ton must be used. but not destroyed
or wasted; used, but not monopolizet
upon any narrow idea of individual
rights as against the abiding interests
of communities. That policy can b,
worked out by conference and conces
sion which will release these resource.
and yet not leopard or disslpat,
them, for one have no doubt; and 4
can be done on lines OF regulation
which need be no less acceptable 4
the people and governments of tn,
states concerned than to the peopl,
and government Of the nation at large
whose heritage these resources are
We must bend our counsels to THU
end. A common purpose ought t,
make agreement easy.
Three or four matters of special i'm
portance and significance l beg tina
you will permit me to mention in clos
ing.
Our bureau OF mines ought to b,
equipped and empowered to rende
even more effectual service than 1
renders now in improving the condi
tons of mine labor and making TIA,
mines more economically productiv,
as we'll as more safe. This is an all
important part OF the work OF con
servation; and the conservation O
human life and energy lies even near
er to our interest than the preserva
ton from waste of our material re
sources.
Employers Liability.
Wo owe 1t. in mere justice to tn,
railway employees of the country, I,
provide for them fair and effectiv,
employers liability act; and a Law
that we can stand by in this matte
will be no less to the advantage O
those who administer the railroads O
| the country than IN fha -