The fundamental distinction between true representative government and dictatorship is that in the former every representative of the people, in whatever office, confines himself strictly within the limits of his defined powers.  Without such restraint there can be no free constitutional government.

  Under the order pursuant to which you have been elected and convened you
  have no duty and no authority to take part in the present government of
  the island.  Your powers are strictly limited by the terms of that order.

When the convention concludes its labors I will transmit to the Congress the constitution as framed by the convention for its consideration and for such action as it may deem advisable.

I renew the recommendation made in my special message of February 10, 1899, as to the necessity for cable communication between the United States and Hawaii, with extension to Manila.  Since then circumstances have strikingly emphasized this need.  Surveys have shown the entire feasibility of a chain of cables which at each stopping place shall touch on American territory, so that the system shall be under our own complete control.  Manila once within telegraphic reach, connection with the systems of the Asiatic coast would open increased and profitable opportunities for a more direct cable route from our shores to the Orient than is now afforded by the trans-Atlantic, continental, and trans-Asian lines.  I urge attention to this important matter.

The present strength of the Army is 100,000 men—­65,000 regulars and 35,000 volunteers.  Under the act of March 2, 1899, on the 30th of June next the present volunteer force will be discharged and the Regular Army will be reduced to 2,447 officers and 29,025 enlisted men.

In 1888 a Board of Officers convened by President Cleveland adopted a comprehensive scheme of coast-defense fortifications which involved the outlay of something over one hundred million dollars.  This plan received the approval of the Congress, and since then regular appropriations have been made and the work of fortification has steadily progressed.

More than sixty millions of dollars have been invested in a great number of forts and guns, with all the complicated and scientific machinery and electrical appliances necessary for their use.  The proper care of this defensive machinery requires men trained in its use.  The number of men necessary to perform this duty alone is ascertained by the War Department, at a minimum allowance, to be 18,420.

There are fifty-eight or more military posts in the United States other than the coast-defense fortifications.

The number of these posts is being constantly increased by the Congress.  More than $22,000,000 have been expended in building and equipment, and they can only be cared for by the Regular Army.  The posts now in existence and others to be built provide for accommodations for, and if fully garrisoned require, 26,000 troops.  Many of these posts are along our frontier or at important strategic points, the occupation of which is necessary.