University of South Carolina Libraries
NO. 47. PICKENS S. C. THURSDAY, DECEMBER OLARAE. THE PRESIDE THE .GODSAN "DoWN WITH Great Stress Laid or Philippines -Ouba Have Stable To the Sen-%te !eal Uouse of ltpresen tatives : At the-thr'shiod of yoei delibera tions, YOU IAr-43 04led t) mOUrn I With your countrymen the death of Vice l'rie4i(lent l1)h miL.-. w4ho pis.sed from this life on th imorining of November 21it, a 1:s jriat 'mi now rests in eternal peace. M3is urivate life was pure aid ulevated, while his public career was ever di-itinguislied by large cap iiy, stainle-s int.ogrity and ex. alted niotives. Ile has been removed fromn the hi g n ollico which he honored and dignified, but his lofty charactor. his devotion to dity, his honesty of purpose and nobWe virtu s remain with us as a priceless leg!acy and ex!LUiple. Tho fifty-sixth Congross convenes in its first regular eession with the coun. try in & condition of unusual pros'. perity, of universal good will 'amoofnL the peoplc at home, and in relations of peace and friendship with every gov rnminent of the world. Odr fdreign commerce has shown great increase in volume and value. The combined im ports and exports for the year are..he largest ever shown by a single year in all our history. Our exports for 1899 alone exceed by more than a billion dollars our- imports and exports co * bined in 1870 Tue imnepor s oer capit are*20 per cent. less than in 1870, while the exporte per capita are 68 per dent: more than In 1870, showing the -en larged va;.y of the United States to satiefy the waits of its own increas ing population as well as 't1o contri buto to those or the peoples of obher nations. Exorts of agyricuitural 'products w '$784,770,142. O1 mnanufaotIredu products we exported in valuo $333, 592,146, being larger than aniy prevlo's year. It Is a noteworthy fact that the& only years in all our history when the producti of our manufactories sold abroad exceeded those bought abroad were 1898 and 1899 Government receipts from all sources for the fiscal year. ending June 30. 1899, Including $11,798 314 14 part pay mint of the Central PMcific R1,ihoad indebtedness aggregated $610,982004 - 36. Customs rr ex ipts wvre $206,1-28, 461.75 and those from Internal revenue! $273,437,151.51. For the ficcal year, the expenditures were $700,093,56102, leaving a deficit of $89,111.549.67. : The secretary of the treasury esti-: mates that the receipts for the current fiscal year will aggregate $640,958,112 and upon the basis of present appro-i priations the expenditures will aggre gato $600,958,112, leaving a surplus of $40000,000,000. For the ieScal year ended June 30, 1899, the intei-nal revenue receipts Increased about $100 000 000. ' The present gratifyi stelenigth . the treasury is shown by the -fact that on December 1, 1899, the available cash balance wits $278,004 ,8.37.32,. of which $*39,744.905 36 was in - goitt 6din and bullion. The confidence wbielj prevails throughout the country has brought gold into more general use and custom recceipts are now almost entire ly pald in that coin. 'The strong condition of the treasury with r-espott, to cash on hand and th~e favor-able showing made by the re venues have made It possib~lo for the secretary of the treasury to take action under the pr-ovisions of 3094, revised statutes, relating to the sinking fund. Receipts exceeded exp~enditures for the first five months of the current fiscal year by $12,413,380.81 and, as mentioned above, the secretary of the treasur-y estimates that there will be a surplus of approximately $40,000,000 at the end of the year. Under such condItions, it was deemed advisable andl proper to rt -sume comp~liance with the provisions of the sinking fund law, which for eIghty years has not been (lone because of deficiencies in the re venues. The treasury department, ther-efor-e, olie red to purchase during Novem ber- $25,000,000 of the 5 per cent. loan of 1904 or the 4 per cent. funded loan of 1907 at the current market price. The amount olfered and pur chased during Novenmber- was $18,408, 6100. The premium pald by the govern mient on such purchases was $2,263,521 and the net saving In interest, was abou t $2 885,000. T he -success o f obhis oper-ationi was suficient to -Induce the gover-nment to continue the ofler .. purchase bonds to and including. tpe 23rd day of Decembor instant, unlede the remainder of the $25,000,000 called for should be piresented In the mean time for redemption. DEMANPjS 'IE (,0F4D STiANDARDL.. The attention of Congress is respgcti fully inivitedi to thIs impor2.a~nt matter with the view of ascertaining'whether, or not such reasonable modifications can be made in the national bank act as will render Its servIce in the parti cular here referred to more respon sive to the people's :ieecfe. I again urge thait, national banks h~e au gr'Aed to organize with a capital of 00oo T urgently recommend th o port the existing gold standari a' maintain " the piarity in value of the coins of the two metals (goiad abd silver), and the eqlual power 'of efeiwy dollar at ali times in the market'an'd in the pay meont of all debts," the tedre tary of the treasury be given addi tional power and charged wlbh t66 duty to sell United States bonds and sto employ such other effective means as may he necessary to these ends. The authority should include the .power to sell bonds on long and short timed as. conditions mnay require, and should provide for a ratec of interest lower'than that fixed by the act of Januar'y J4, 1875. While there is nao commercial fright which withdraws gold from' h government, but, on the .ciontrary. such WTS MESSAGI )4Rj). VSUPPORTEI iit,---TRUSTFS!"' i the Retention of the %nd Porto Rico Must Governments. .widespread conlidence that gold seel tho treasury demanding paper monc in exchange, yet the iery situatit points to the present as the mo fi tting time to make ad.quate provlsit to insure the continuance of the go: standard and of public confidence 1 thoeability 'and purpose of the goveri ment to meet all of its obligations I the money which the civilized worl recognizes as the best. The financli transations of the government are coi ducted.upon-a gold basis. We receiv pold...when we sell United States boni and, use gofd 'for their payment. W ard 'rnaidtaening the parity of all th noi-ey.: laitued e or coined.- by, -the at thority pf the, government,. - We ar doing theoe things with the means I hand. 'Hi'ppil'y at the present time w aro-not comperied to resort to loans t supply gord. Ivhas been done. in tb past, how~cgyer, and may have to t don' in -the future. It behooves uf the effre; tb provide at once the bei means to meet the' etiergency when I arises and the .bas-t means are thos which are the most certain and ecor ontit'l, 'Those now autboried have th vir-tue neither of directness n.or ecot 'oms. 'We have'already eliminated on of 0,h caus'es of our financial pligh and embarrassment during the year of 1893, 1894, 1895 and 18U6. Our re celpts now tqual our expenditures; de ficient tevenue nq longer create alarm.. e us retove tlhe only re maining ,citule. -y conferring the ful necessary power upon the secretary o the treasury and impose upon the dut to uphold the present gold standar and preserve the coins of the tw metals on a parity with each othe which is the repeatedly declare4 policy of the United States. In thf4.Cohsniection, I repeat my form er redbAl1 hblations, that a portion o the gold h)4og'a shall-be plaoed in i trust. fund 'froni which greonback shall be rtde'med upon- presentation but wht-n once redeemed t-hall no thereafter be paid out except for gold DENOUNCES THE TRUSTS. C . initi'bns .f capital organ:ze< rtmfds to' control' the'ponuitions o teao .huionir our.. cifzehs, *'to 'gstiili compcetition-,Qg6ftiproduction and'de tormine tie prices of p'rqdudts, use and consuteid b -the peo)le, ar-3 justi' provoking public discu'ssion'and snou'l early claim tAhe-attenit'ion of the (,on gress. The industrial commission creAte< by the act of Congress of June 18, 1898 has been engaged in extended haqating upon the disputed ques.tion involve< In the subject of nornbinatiu-iniwl re strai O.$yrack. app. -compeLkpn. The, ofyet om pletedith'eir iunvesti galub Of this suiject, atd 'the coni-lu sion and recommendations at whict they: i.Ba'rNv'e are undetermlned The subject is one giving.ilbe'te man divergont VYws)as- to the- '.naturei anc -varietyor cause as4 extent of' trein juries' to the public:W ay resull from large co.mbti. s'cocpentrat, lug- more or less numerous enterprises and establishments which previous t< the formnatilon were carried separat'e. iy. It is universlly .conceded that com binations which engross or control th< miarket-of any- particular kind of mer, cbandise or commodity necessary t< the general community, by suppress ing natural and ordinary competition, whereby prices are unduly enhanced to the general consumer', are obnoxioul not only to the common law, but alsi to the public welfare. There must hi a remedy for the evils involved in sucl organizations. If the present law cai be extended more certainly to contro or check these monopolies or trusts it should be done without, delay. What ever power the Congrode posressel over this most impor tant subject shoul< be promptly ascertained and asserted President Harrison, in his annua message of December 3, 1889, says: " Earncst attention should be giver by Congress to consideration of thi -question how far the restraint of thos< combinations of capital commonly called 'trubtas' is matter of Fiedera jurisdiction. When organiaed, as they piten are, to crush out all health-. competition and to monopolize the pro duction or sale. 0f -:- aicW Qf comn mneeedg th ey; art dangerpus ' -6~q Magainst ' th-c pdbi.gdd',' I'dbe made thc sllJie u gro -l~ .and even pena n o.aproec trade and com morce, agral . bu aistuil: tostrIints -anc monelmliies *44seed by: Congress ot the '21 of A . .yv1 Te 'Ih is~iions o this seLat e oni pfs Tve an st 16gn:'t~ car~e every contrac -combi~n :'r tbe f~rm ;of a true frsbberw iso, -o' cbnspiracy -in: the re stt:iat of. trade qr. cqmmu~e a nons tl . evoral'"Stato or 'With te'gnbna 4 -, to be unla~vful. If, denominatei ..~trindn'l eVery peron8f who maie~ a '.guch contra~ct or engaes in pn 'soorpWiatlati 'cra bodpracy, an< prov'idesa~ punishment by'. inoi or' im -prisonment. It .invests bhalseveral cir cult courts of -the United Statos witi Jurisdiction to prevent and.. rest gii LiolIations of the-act, and rpa68s ' he .uty ,I tIa 3epe1 .Unlif6d States 'dig titttorneys, under the direction o tLUmthy geral, .to institute pro 'ceedings in equity to prevent and 're iaL~auch violations. It,,furthor con fraiW any peon who shall be iin .ud .p hibusiness or property b~ any otiteit-' bel'a -ot" corporation b, reasoh -'of.- any hi-ng -.forbitiden or de -clared t be unlawful by the 'act th cour~o .the U.nited States ani houtrt spbc tftie a'mount ,in 'dogtrbor an to recover three.fold the 'datnages b, him sustained and the costs of the euli Including reasonable attorney feoc. 1 iN will be perceived that the act is aimec at every kind of combination in th nature of a trust of monopoly in re straint of interstate or iniernationa commerce. ) Prosecution by the United States o Soffenses under the act of 1890 has bee frequently resorted to in the Federa courts, and notable efforts in the re straint of Interstate commerce, suct as the trans-Missouri Freight tssocia tion and the Joint Trailc association have been successfully opposed an< suppressed. President Cleveland in his annua message of December 7, 1896-mor< than -six years subsequent to the en actment of this law-after statirg the evils of the trust comb!nations says: "Though Congress has attempted t< m deal with this matter by legislation, the laws passed for the purpote thus m far have proved ineffective, not be in cause of any lack of disposition or at t tempt to enforce them, but simply be d cause the laws themselves as inter preted by the courts do rot reach the n difficulty. If the insulliciencies of ex. ' isting laws can be remedied by further n legislation, it should be done. 'The fact must be recognized, however, that all Federal legislation on this subjecL may fall short of its purpose, becaube 1 of inherent obstacles and also because of the complex charauter of our gov ernmental system, which, while mak e ing the iFederal authority supreme ' within its sphere, has carefully limited that sphere by motes and bunds it which cannot be transgressed. The " decision of our highest court on this e precise question renders it quite doubt e ful -whether the evils of trusts and monopolies can be adequately treated. through Federal action, unless they seek directly and purposely to include' in their cbjects transportation or in tercourse between States or between the United States and foreign cour tries. " It does not follow, however, that t this is the limit of the remedv that may be applied. E ven though it may b.3 found that Federal authority is not broad enough to fully reach the case, there can be no doubt of the power of the several States to act effectively in the premises, and there should be no reason. to doubt their willingness to judiciously exeripise such power." The State legislation to which Pres a idept Cleveland looked for relief from the yi uf the trusts has failed to ac I comp l~h Adily that object. This Is probably due to a great extent to the fact that different States take different, views as to the proper way to discri minate between evil and injurious com binations and those associations which are beneticial necessary to the business prosperity of the country. The great diversity of treatment in dig.erent States arising from this cause and the immediate relations of all parts of the country to each other without regard ing State ilnes in the conduct of busi ncss have made the enforcement of State laws difficult. It is apparent that uniformity of legislation apon this subject in the several States is much to be desired. It is to be hoped that such uniformity founded in a wise and just discrimina tibs between what is injurious and what is useful and necessary in busi ness operations may -be obtained and that means may be found for the Con gress within the limitations of its constitutionel power so to supplement an.eiYeativ6 code of State legislation so as to make a complete system of laws throughbut the United 'States adequate to compel a general obser vance of the salutary rules to which we have referred. The whole question is so important and far-reaching that I am sure no part of it swill be lightly considered but every phase of of it will have the :studied deliberation of Congress, re sulting in wIse and judicious action. THlE PENSION ROLL. On the 30th of June, 1899, the pen sion roll of the United States num hered 991,519. These Include the pen sioners of the army and navy in all our wars. The number added to the rolls during the year was 40,991. The num her dropped by reason of death, re marriage, minors by legal limitation, failure to claim within three years and other causes were 43,186, and the num her of claims disallowed was 107,919. During the year 89,634 pension ce-rtill cates were issued, of which 37,077 were for new or original pensions. The amount disbursed for army and navy pensione during the year was $138,355, 052.95, which was $1,651,461.01 less than th esum~ of app ropriatiot~s. 'Ih Grand Army of the Republic, at its recent national encampment, held at Philadelphia, has brought to my attention' and to that of the Con gress the wisdom and justice of a modi lcation of the third section of the act of June 27, 1890, which provides pen elons for the widows of oficers and en listed men who serve ninety days or -mtore during the war of the rebellion taod.were honorably discharged, pro vided that such widows are without other means of support than their daily. labor and wore married to the soldier; sailer or marine, on account of whose service they claim pension prior to 1d:date of the act. he~ present holding of the depart ment its that if the widow's income, alldg from her daily labor, does not ex'ceed in amount what her pension would.: be, to-wit, $96 per annum, she would'be deemed to be without other means of support than her daily labor, and would be entitled. to a pensiou Iunder, this act, while If the widow's In come, ibdependent of the amount re ceived-by her as the Result of her daily labor, she would not be p~ensionable - under the act. I am advised by the - commissioner of pensions that the Samount of the Income allowed before I title to pension would be barred has varied widely under different arrange ments of the pension office, as well as during different periods of the same ' administration and has been the cause - of just *complaint and criticism. - With the applroval of the secretary of the interior, the commissioner of pensions recommends that in order to make practice at all times uniform - and to do jestice to the- dependent 3 widow the amount of income allowed t independent of the proceeds of her daily labor should be not less than $250 1 per annum, and he urges that the Con I gtross shall so amend the act a to npe. mit the pension ofilco to grant per sionable status to widows under th I terms of the third section of the act c June 27, 1890, whose income, asid - from the proceeds of daily labor, is nc I in excess of $250 per annum. I believi this to be a simple act of justice an I heartily recommend it. The Dawes commission reports tha 1 gratifying progress has been made Ii its work during the preceding year The field work of enrollment of fou of the nations has been completed. recommend that Congress at an earl, I day make liberal appropriation f6 educational purposes in the Indiai territory. AGRICULTURID. The department of agriculture i constantly consulting the needs of thi producers in all the States and Territo ries. It Is introducing eneds and plantu of great value and promoting fullei diversification of crops. Grains grasses, fruits, legumes and vegetablei are imported for all parts of the United States. Under this encouragement th< sugar beet factory multiplies in th< North and far West, semi-troplici plants are sent to the South, and conge nial climates are sought for the choice productions of the far East. T[.e hybri dizIng of fruit trees and grains is con ducted in the search for varieties ad apted to the exacting conditions. Tile introduction of tea gardens in the Southern States oromises to provide employment for idle hands, as well as to supply the home market with tea The subj*ct of irrigation, where it is of vital importance to the people, is being carefully studied; steps are being tak. en to reclaim injured and abandoned lands, and information for the people along these lines is being printed and distributed. Markets are being sought and opened up for surplus farm and factory products in Europe and Asia. The outlook for the education of the young farmer through agricultural col leges and experiment stations, with opportunity given to specialize in the department o. agriculturn, is very pro iising. The people of Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Philippine itlande should be helped by the establishment of ex periment stations to a more sciontitle knowledge of the prosecution of coffee, India rubber and other tropiceal pro ducts, for which there is a demand in the United States. There is wide spread interest in the productirn of our highways at the present time, and the department nf agrleultu11re is eoperno ating with tho people in each locality in making the best possible roads from local material and in experimenting with steel tracks. A more intelligent system of maraging the forests of the country is being put into operation and a careful study of the whole forestry problem is being conducted throughout the United States. A very extensive and complete exhibit of the agricul tural and horticltural products of the United States is being prepared for the Paris exposition. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. History of Their Purchase, the Insur. rection and McKinley's Recommen. dations. On the 10th of ,December, 1898, the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain was signed. It pro vided among other things that Spain should deed to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine islands, that the United States should pay to Spain the sum of twenty mil lions of dollars, and that the civil right and political status of the native in habitants of the territories thus ceded to the United should be determined by the Congress. The treaty was ratified by the Senate on the 6th of February, 1899, and by the government of Spai on the 19th of March following. Tbe ratifications were exchanged on the 11th of April, and the treaty publicly proclaimed. On the 2d of March the Congress voted the sum contemplated by the trea'y and the amount was paid over to the Spanish government on the 1st of May. In tbis manner the Philippines came to the United States. The islands were-ceded by the govern ment of Spain, which had been ia un dispu ed possession of them for centu rices. They were accepted not mer'sly by our authorized agents in Paris un der the direction of the executive, but by the constitutional and well consider ed action of the reoreentatives of the people in both houses of Congress. I had every reason to believe and I still believe that th is transfer of sovereignty was in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of tho great masses of the Philippine people. F'romn the earliest moment, no oppor tunity was lost of assuring the people1 of the islands of our ardent desire for theIr welfare and of the intention of this government to do everytihing pos sible to advance their interests. In my order of the 19th of May, 189J8, the commander of the military expedition dispatched to the Philippines was in structed to declare that we came not to make war upon the people of that country, " nor upon any party or fac tion among them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments and in their personal and religious rights "; that there should bn no doubt, as to the paramount, authority there, on the 17th of August it was directed that " there must be no joint occupa tion with the insurgents ; that the United States must preserve the peatce and protect persons and property with the territory occupiedi by their military and naval forces ; that the insurgents and all others must recognize the mili tary occupation an'd authority of the United States." As early as Dacem ber 24th, before the cossion and in anti cipation of that event, the commander in Manila was urged to restore peace and tranquilIty and undertake the es tablishment of a beneficent govern ment which should afford the fullest security to life an:1 property. On the 21st of Dacember, after the treaty was signed, the commander of the forces of occupation was instructed " to announce and proclaim in the most public manner that we camne, not as invaders and conqiuerore, but as friends, to protect the natives in their homes, in their employments and in their per sonal and religious rights." Oni the same day, while ordering General Ois to see that the peace should be preserved in Illo, he was admonished that " it is most important that there should be no cnflict with te insurets. On. the lst day e January, 1899, urgent'orders were re f orated that the, kindly intentiis this gove-'nment should be il eve t possible way Comna0iadate4 o. the I 3 surgents. On the 21st of Janaliry, announced my intention of diepatohir to Manila a commission composed t three eontlemen of the highest cha i actor ant distinction, thoroughly a quainted with the Orient, who in assi r eiation with Admira' De-vey, and Mi I j->r General Otie, were instructed I " facilitate the most humane and e r fective extension of authority througi k out the islands and to secure with th least possible delay the bent fits of wise and generous protection of lif and property to the inhabitants." These gentlemen were Dr. JAcob G Schurman, president of Cornell Uni versity ; Uon. Charles Denby, for man yors minister to China, and Proi D %an Worcester, of the University c Michigan, who had made a most care ful btudy of life in the Philippinet While the treaty of peace was unde consideration in the Senate these com inissioners set out on their mission o good will and liberation. Their char acter was suflicient guaranty of thi benelicient purpose 1with which the, went, even if they had not borne th; positive instructions of this govern mint, which made their errand pre ominently one of peace and friend ship. But before their arrival at Manile thosinister ambition of a few leaden of the Filipinos bad created a situatior fullof embarrassment for the Unitot States and most grievous in its conse quonces to themselves. Tie clear ant impartial preliminary ropor; of thc commissioners, which I transmit here with, gives so lucid and comnprobensivc a history of the present insurrection ary movement that the story need not be here repeated. It is not enough to say that the claim of tho rebel leader that he waa promised independence by any oil cer in the United States in return for his assistance has no foundation in fact and is categorically denied by the very witnesses who were called to prove it. The most the insurgent leader hoped for when he came to Manila -was the liberation of the Islands from the Spanish control, which they had been laboring for yzars without success tu throw off. The prompt accomplishment of thi, by the AWuerienu army aud navy gave him other ideas and ambitions and Insidious suggestions from variout quarters perverted the purposes and intentions with which he had taken ul arms. No sooner had our army capture Manila than the Filipino forces begar to assume an attitude of suspicion ant hostility which the utmost efforts o0 our officors and troops were unable t( discern or modify. Their kindness am forbearance were taken as proof o cowardice. The aggressions of th< l'iliinos continually increased unti finally, just bUOre the thime set by Lin Senate of the United States for a voti upon the treaty, an attack, evident, prepared in advance, was made al along the American lines, which re suited in a terribly destructive an sanguinary repulse of the insurgentE Ten days later an order of the insur gent government was Issued to its ad herents who had remained in Manilr of which General Otis justly observe that "for barbarous intent it is un equalled in modern times." It direct that at 8 o'clock on the right, of Febru ary 15th, the territorial military shal come together in the streets of Sa Pedro, armed with their bolos, wit guns and ammunition where convent ent, that Filipino families shall b respected, but that all other individ uals, of whatever race they may be shall be exterminated without an: compassion, after the exterminatIon o the army of occupation, and adds "Brothers, we must avenge ourselves on the Americans and exterminate that we may take our revenge for th< infamies and treacheries commi ttet upon us. Have no compassion upor thbem ; attack them with vIgor." *t copy of this fell, by good fortune, lntc thechands of our offiers and tbey wore able to take measures to control the rising which was actually attempted or the night of February 22, a week later than was originally contemplated. A considerable number of armed k surgents entered the city by water ways and swamps and in concert with con federates inside, attempted to destroy Manila by fire. T1hey were kept in check during the night and the next (lay driven out of the city with heavy loss. This was the unhappy condition of affairs which confronted our com mnissioners on their arrival in Manila. T1hey had come with the hope and in tention of co-operation with Admiral Dewey and Mrajor General Otis In es tablishing peace and order in the ar chIpelago, and the largest measure of solf-government compatible with the true welfare of the people. What. thbey actually found can be best set forth in their own words :" Decplorable as war is, the one in which we are now on gaged was unavoidable by us. WAe were attacked by a bold, adventurous and enthusiastic army. No alterna five was left, to us except, ignominione retreat. " It is not to be conceived that any American would have sanctior~ed the surrender of Manila to the insurgents. Our obigations to other nations and the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves amnd our flag demanded that, force should be met by force. Whatever the future of the Philippines may be, there is no course open to us now except the prosecution of the war until the ir.sur gents are reduced to submission. The commission is of the opinion that there has been no time since the destruction of the Spanish equadron by Admiral D~ewey when it was possible to with draw our forces from the islands, either with honaor to ourselves or with safety to the inhabitants." The course thus clearly Indicated Las been unflinchingly pursued. The re'uellion must, be put do wn. Civil gov ernment cannot be8 thoroughly estab lished until ordered is restored. With a devotion and gallantry worthy of its most brilliant history, the army atly and loyally ass'stcd by the navy, has carried on this unwelcome but meal righteous campaign with richly do. served success. The noble self -sacriflee with which our soldiers an:1 sailore whose terms of'~servien ha .'ired, of refused to avail themselves of thel it- right to return home as long as the ot were needed at the front, forms one c ry' the brightest pages in our annah n. Although their operations have bee s somewhat interrupted and checked b, ' rainy season of undsual violence an f duration, they have gained groun r- steadily in every direction and nov 3. look forward confidently to speed - completion of their task. The unfavoi - able circumstances connected with a o active campaign have not been pei r- mitted to interfere with the equall important work of reconstruction. e A notable beginning has been mad I in the establishment of a governmen u in the island of Negros, which is de serving of special consideration. Thi was the first island to accept Americal sovereignty. Its citizens unreservedl) proclaimed allegiance to the United States and adopted a constitution look I lng to the establishment of a populai government. It was impoEsible to guarantee to the people of Negros that the constitution so adopted should be the ultimate form of government. Such a question under the treaty with Spain and in accordance with our conbtitu tion and laws carie exclusively within the jurisdicton of Congress. The gov ernment actually act up by the Inhabi tants of Negros eventually proved un satisfactory to the nativeb themselves. A new system was put in force by or der of the imijor general command ing the department of which the fol lowing are the most important elo ment~s. It was ordered that the government of the island of Negros should consist of a military government appointed by the United States ?hilitary governor of the Philippines and a civil governor and an advisory council elected by the people. The military gover nor was au thorized to appoint sceretaric of the treasury, interior, agriculture, public instruction, an attorney general and an auditor. The seat of government was fixed at Bacolod. The military gover nor exercises the supreme executive power. He is to see that the laws are executed, appoilut to offloe and fill all vacancies in ofi1e not otherwise pro vided for, and may, with the approval of the military governor for the Philippines, remove any oflicer from office. 1'he civil governor advises the military governor on all public ques tions, and presides over the advis ory council. He, in general, performs the duties whicn are performed by secretaries of state in our own systemi of government. The advisory council consists of eight members elected by the people within territorial limits, which are deflned in the order of the commanding gen eral. The time and places of holding elec l tions are to be fixed by the military governor of the Island of Negros. The qualifications of voters are as fol I lows: 1 1. And a voter must be a male citi s zen of the island of Negros. 1 2. Of the age of twenty-one years. 3 3. He shahli e dble to speak, read ) and write the Mnglish, Spanish or r Visayan language, or he must own I real property worth $500 or pay a rent - al on real property of the valun t 1 $1,000. 4. He must have resided in the island not less than no year preceding, and - in the district in which he offers t< register as a voter not less than thre< s months immediately preceding the - time he offers to register. 8 5. He must register at a time fixe - by law before voting. 1 6. Prior to such registration he shal i have paid all taxes due by him to the i go;erranent, provided that to insane person shaI be allowed to register 01 3 vote. - Tne military governor has the right ,to veto all bills or resolutions adoptet by the advisory council, and his vett isl final if not disapproved by the mili. tary governor or the Philippincs. The advisory council discharges all the or dinary duties of a legislature. The usual duties pertaining to said offices are to be performed by the secretary of Ithe treasury,' interior, agriculture Ipublic instruction, the attorney general and the auditor. The judicial power Is vested in three judges, who are to be appointed by the military governor of the island. In ferior courts are to be established. Ileree publIc schools are to be estab lished throughout the populous dis tricts of the island, in which the Eng lish language shail be taught, and this subject will receive the careful con sIderation of the advisory council. The burden of government must be distributed equally and eq uitably among the people. The military auj thorities will collect, and receive the customs revenue and will control postal matters and Philippine inter-Island trade and commerce. The military government, subject to approval of the military governor of the Philippines, determines all ques tions not specifically provided for, and which do not comd under the jurisdic tIon of the adlvIsory council. 1 communicate .these facts to the Congress for its information and ac tion. 1Everything indicates that wit~h the speedy suppression of the Tagalo Irebellion, life in the archipelago will soon resume Its ordinary course under the protection of our sovereignty and the people of these favored islands will enjoy a prosperity and a freedom which they .have never before known. Al ready hundreds of schools are open and filled with children. Religious freedom is sacredly assured and en joyed. Trhe courts are dispensing jus tice. Business is beginning to circulate in Its accustomed channels. Manila, whose inhabitants were it seing to thea country a few months ago 18 now a poplou trivngmart of commerce. Th anst and unremitting endeavors of the.commission and the admiral and major general commanding the depart ment of ,the Pacific to assure the peo ple of tho boneficient intentions of this government, have had their legitimate efeti onvincing the great majority of them that peace and safety and pros perity and stable government can only becfund in a loyal acceptance of the authority of the United States. I" THEY ARE OURtS." The future government of the Philip pines rests with the Congress of the United States. Feow graver responsi bilities have ever been confided to us. If 9 accept them a spirit worthy of Continued on Pagre 4. IWWill Keep D0eRfibo tUij~ W ith Dry Goods and Shoe Surprises. .W e have scored many victories for yota since opeling this new store in your midst. Ivthat, our name is synonymous witli big y value giving is evidenced by the bliy a'he more peo pe know of this store the more convinced they are of its many ad vaitages. Ever thing arranged in a way that makes purchasing easy and selections fitting. Salesmen are qu.ck, attentive and a courteous. You only see the bright sec & of life at this store. Grea Prpariionfor the Holiday Trade. The people who trade with us will be a great n any dollars ahead. Many useful and economical purchases will be made at this store. A Handkerchief for every man, woman and child in Greenvil e county. A big lot to offer; secured at a special price. 600 Gents fine .W0 Cambric goods, in pure white and colored borders. 3,000 ladies line Norrow Hem, Embroid ered and Lace Edgings, beautiful and attractive; your choice 5c. One lot. of Bleached Ilenistitched, Pure Liniien Ladies H andkerchiefs, can only be found at this store; to go at the low price of 5c. Another lot Ladies Fine Embroidered Ilandkerchiefs, als-> Lace Edging, your choicec. Large lot fIne count Pure Linen with daiity hems, beautiful and soft after wash ing, a o en would make a nseful gift, your choice each 10c. Beautiful lot Pillow Top, with cord to iatcli; special lot Top~s now selling at 25c. Another lot of that all Linen )amask, two yards wide, which knocks out any thing ever offered here 35c. Many useful little things in Notions. One lot Sterling Silver and Ebony Novel tica 25c. Another lot Rugs and Art Squares to arrive this week. We are certainly selling piles of Ruge. A Moquet Rug Special values in Hosiery and Under wear. Magnificent stock of hoan tha amiare useful as well as ornamental remembrane Cs. Come to The New Store where your dollars will do double duty. MAHON & ARNOLD, NO. 2xx UPPIUR MAIN STRX3T, .J. 11. MOnoAN & Bito.'s OLD STAND. A gents for McCall Bazar Pat terns. IT'S A FACT Worth Knowing Our Big Out Sale still Booming. Everybody that coms in goes away delighted with the bargains they get at Bentz's. Don't forget it when you want ~any thing in Dry Goods, Notions, Carpets, Shoes, etc. Others may say they cut the prices ; but Buitz cuts them in fact. Yours for business, R. L. R. Bentz Leader In [LOW PRICESIB