And State Papers 567 



lation for the islands should be shaped with this end 

 in view ; the well-being of the average home-maker 

 must afford the true test of the healthy development 

 of the islands. The land policy should as nearly as 

 possible be modeled on our homestead system. 



It is a pleasure to say that it is hardly more neces- 

 sary to report as to Porto Rico than as to any State 

 or Territory within our continental limits. The isl- 

 and is thriving as never before, and it is being ad- 

 ministered efficiently and honestly. Its people are 

 now enjoying liberty and order under the protection 

 of the United States, and upon this fact we congratu- 

 late them and ourselves. Their material welfare 

 must be as carefully and jealously considered as the 

 welfare of any other portion of our country. We 

 have given them the great gift of free access for 

 their products to the markets of the United States. 

 I ask the attention of the Congress to the need of 

 legislation concerning the public lands of Porto 

 Rico. 



In Cuba such progress has been made toward put- 

 ting the independent government of the island upon 

 a firm footing that before the present session of the 

 Congress closes this will be an accomplished fact. 

 Cuba will then start as her own mistress ; and to the 

 beautiful Queen of the Antilles, as she unfolds this 

 new page of her destiny, we extend our heartiest 

 greetings and good wishes. Elsewhere I have dis- 

 cussed the question of reciprocity. In the case of 

 Cuba, however, there are weighty reasons of mo- 

 rality and of national interest why the policy should 



