The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-06

mulated fortune. He was finely educated.
speaking English, Spanish, Tagaioy (the
native language, and Chinese. He was
broad-minded and liberal, and gradually
came to be looked on as the most PRO-
gressive of all the native citizens of the
islands. He was at the fore in all improve
ments. He was the organizer OF the cleo
trio light company, the street railroad COM
pany the bank, and most of the other In
situations Of modern civilization that have
been introduced in the city of Manila or
elsewhere on the Islands. He was at the
head OF the educational system and of most
Of the charities. and it was the custom Of
Mondays and Fridays Of each week for all
the beggars in the city, numbering $50 or
400, to gather In the front yard, where he
would give each a package of rice and
would then distribute copper coins.
He came to be beloved by everybody ex-
cept the Spanish government. The Span
ish dislike for him was natural, because
his desire for progress was not in keeping
with the bigotry and intolerance of their
government. II was natural when the
revolution against Spanish misrule broke
out months ago that the Meshzo who up
rose should turn to Pedro Roxas as a
leader or for announcement at least. But
the interests of Roxas were so great that
he would not risk them. He was counted
as worth at least $5,0O0,0OO and his pos
sessions were In all parts Of the island
At the first overt act on his part all would
be confscated, so he could not openly
espouse the cause of the insurrectionists.
But an implied promise to accept the pres
idency of the new repubica Filipplna
when the republic came was different. He
could do that.
Pedro Roxas' wife, the story goes, was
a woman bound up in her religion. She
was woman educated almost as we'll as
her husband. She was handsome. She
had most of the generous traits OF her
husband. but she lacked the important one
of discretion. Pedro kept from her at first
the news that he would be the first presi-
dent of the republic; not that he didn't
trust her, but he feared the lack Of dis
erection. He was careful TO have nothing
TO do with the insurrectionsts and not on
any one act OF his could the Spanlards
base a charge that he was even a sympa-
thizer with the men who were struggling
for them Independence. But one day in
an unguarded moment he confided 20 his
wife the plan that was on foot to make
him president. This she told TO her con-
fessor. II her confessor had been a faith
full Catholic 1t would have made no differ
ence. But this confessor, the story goes.
thought more of currying favor with the
government than he did Of his vows, and
she had no sooner confessed to him than
he told Of the confession to the Spanish Of
ficers.
1t came back TO Pedro Roxas' ears quick
~, even before the officials had time to
act; and in a rage he accused his wife OF
having conspired TO ruin him. She denied
It, and he rushed at her and attempted to
choke her. But he was overpowered by
the help that came in response to her
screams.
Here was the excuse OF the government
20 get rid Of Pedro without any scandal
The officials pretended TO believe In his
loyalty 70 the government. They had
pity for him. They said he must surely
be suffering from temporary alteration Of
mind or he never would have assailed his
wife 50 savagcly. They said nothing at