Evening star., 1898-12-14
National Craftsmanship Convention
Considers the philippines Problem.
CIVIL SERVICE ADVOCATED
Papers Read and the Discussions
{ oH Them.
THE AFTERNOON
SESSION

The national citizenship convention.
called for the purpose of discussing the
problems confronting the United States in
the government sf the new possessions in
the Indies and in ksiatic waters, began its
sessions last niehtain the First Presbyterian
Church, the second session being called to
order at 10 o'clock this morning. The at
tendance today was very small, scarcely
Htty people including officials of the con-
Nehton and speakers, being present. After
deFouonal exercises led by Rev. Leslie
Moore, Mr.. S. NJ. Cooper of Cincinnati, the
presiding officer, introduced the subject OF
true Manhood Suffrage for Our New ISL
ands ana Ourselves in an interesting
paper. The themes of this mornings ses-
sion We're suffrage and civil service.
Civil Service Question.
Mr.. G. FL. Howard of Chicago was next
introduced, reading paper on Civil Serv-
Ice reform as Related to Our New Posses
sions.' Mr. Howard said the question of
civiiizing the new people of the United
States is a grave one, the Americanizing of
the islands requiring tact and delicate
handling. especially the separation Of
church and state. The speaker reviewed
the recent Indian outbreak as an example
OF the necessity of placing over such in
test and show themselves worthy of the
trust AS Gen. Merritt has said, the
filipinos are children. In their govern
ment Is the absolute necessity OF a new
civil service system-one of common sense
and entirely divorced from poliIics.
The military government in the Philip
pines must gradually give place to civil
establishment, even the school teachers
must be appointed by the government.
Civil service in the seiec ton of such Off
cias is essential to good government, and
the success of the United States with the
new possessions will depend upon the wise
administration of persons who have shown
themselves, after examination, to be COM
petent
Rev. A. S. Fiske. DID, of this city, de-
livered an address on "Civilizing Forces in
ths new islands.
Letters Read.
Mr. Wilbur F. Crafts read a letter from
Rev. W. H. H. Roberts, DID, secretary Of
the Alliance of Reformed Churches, who
was unable to be present. DR.. Roberts
wrote on The Effects Of the Separation of
Church and State in Porto Rico and the
Philippines Upon Church Property and
Schoo, Funds -
F'ive-minute discussions of the papers
read during The morning were next in or
der. In these discussions it was empha-
sized that the United States must not ex-
pect a hightf moral standard in the new
possessions than Prevails in this country.
The general idea expressed by the speak
ers, was that purifca ton should begin at
home. There Were, those also who opposed
as unjust and imPEactcable the seizure oil
any church property. Among those taking
part in the discussion were DR. McAllister
of Pittsburs3 Mrs" Be!va Lockwood. Rev.
Leslie Moore, DR.. Gilbert of this city, Chap
lain Wills of Philadelphia, Dr. Lewis of
New Jersey, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt and Mrs.
j. Ellen Foster.
Afternoon Session.
The afternoon session began promptly at
2 o'clock, with Rev.. Byron Sunderland,
d. D., presiding. The theme for the after
noon discussion was the moral condition in
new islands and, proposed betterments. The
program for The afternoon includes ad-
dresses by Joshua l.. Bailey president of
the National Temperance Society; by Mrs.
Earilla +. Cox, on the question What can
be done by national laws to develop true
homes in our Spanish isands?" and reports
on moral conditions in Alaska, by DR.. Shell
don Jackson.
The evening session will begin promptly
at 80 o'clock. r.