The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-13

on the sport at sl49.Oss. The opium con-
! tract was to realize 1888, 400. From lotteries
| the estimated revenue was placed at S50i,-
$50. All kinds Of paper must be stamped
-S54s.z00; the conviets are hired out-S50,-
COO; the mint 'manipulates the bullion
5000 government lands are sold-S50, 900.
The natives back in the hills are taxed
| but only a few thousand are reached By
the collectors. The tribute from the tribes
in this budget was estimated at $1,000.
Everybody in business must have a Il
eense, like our liquor license. knew one
druggist who paid 1920 a year for the
privilege Of doing business. His store was
small The foreign importers and export
ers are forced TO pay enormous taxes and
fines. If they complain the officials find
excuses for contiseating their property and
driving them from the islands. Nearly
all the foreign trade is in The hands of the
English, French, Dutch and Germans, the
Spaniards not having the ability of the
other Europeans. Ever since the islands
were conquered Spain has fought the for
eign merchants. framing the most absurd
legislation, to divide their profits with the
government. The amount expected to be
realized in business licenses in this budget
was s1,350.O0o.
What excuse does Spain offer for levy,
ing all these taxes? Take a look at tie
Il
70, whoever he may be, has to be paid
500 ,6lS.1S by the Philippines, probably for
some service his eighteenth century ances-
tor performed for the country This is
only one-third of his pension Then there
is the Duke of Neragua. The Philippines.
grateful for his ancestors discovery of
America, pay 5000 of his pension and
they contribute $1,000 to Ferdinand Co
lumbus' pension. Some time in the dis
1 vi rrrr.-
the mint Of Potosi. Spain cherishes his
memory, and the Philippines contribute
$loOO TO his heirs pension. Here are
some other large items; Share of the con.
sular service $4,000; postal and telegraph
| service, s4o6,547.17 submarine cable sub
sidy, $4,000; charity, $26,SS7.50
The cost of maintaining the army Is es-
I.Ipated at $3,SlS 76O.ls, the navy, S2,57S-
1862. To the civil guard is allotted $685.
S96.77, to the veteran guard, ST.. 24S.SS. to
the disciplinary corps, 04140.14. The
treasurer general gets $12. 600 a year. and
the officials Of the forty-seven provincial
administrations $22S $780, The governor
generals salary is $4,000, and lieutenant
generals salary $1,000. The admiral u
the navy has $4,000, and the officer in
charge of Cavite arsenal $1,000 II doesn't
seem likely that he will draw his full
salary this year. The civil and criminal
courts are farce. The cost of maintain
ing them is here estimated at 1892. $3.50: for
the penitentiaries and convict settlements
$S2,672n is set aside
The United States, I believe. should
hold the Philippines. The Mestizos and
the Europeans would welcome American
control and. of course, the Malays. Chi
nese and Negrito would be glad Of anv
chance of escaping from their Spanish OBJ
pressors. We should, 1 believe, set 10
a provisional government in the islands.
giving the control to the half-castes
among whom are many capable men. Over
them should be placed a few strong
American organizers and executive offi
GERS First, the government must be d.
voreed from the church The rule of the
religious orders has been as fertile 4. cause
or the regular Instructions as the iniauit
GUS system of government and excessive
taxation.
Japan and England have long desired
these rich islands. To either of these
friendly countries, if we desired we might
sell the islands, reserving coaling stations
Tor the navy, and rights for American
trade. open the ports of the Philippines
10 unrestricted foreign trade. establish a
modern system of government: encourage
industries, manufactures and agriculture:
| develop the great natural resources of the
islands; improve the condition of the ma
tiyes-and within ten years the Philippines
VIII take their place among the richest
islands of the world.
American trade with the islands Is
| heaVy, despite the opposition of the Span
ish olhclals, but the trade is not under our
nag. With the dissolution of the great
house of Warner, BIodgett & co. our flag
disappeared from the Philippine commerce.
our trade there, though, is greater than
all other countries combined. The foreign
trade has been greatly injured by the IN
surrection of the past two years. but he
lore the lighting began il annually amount
ed TO about $40,OO0,00O The exports of
hemp, sugar and other products to the
United states amounted to 100000 a
month Hemp is the most important pro-
duct of the islands, the export amounting
10 100000 year, and we receive nearly
all OF 1t. The sugar export is nearly as
large, but the quality is not good The to-
Dacco export amounts to about S4OO0COO
While about the same amount viii cover
the less important products-coffee. cocoa
cotton, pepper, quicksilver, ebony, rnahog-
any, indigoes, cedar, saltpetre, coral va
nilla, and medicinal barks
Ten years ago 164 American vessels vera
engaged in the Philippine trade, the num-
Der having doubled in five years. Two
years ago, before the fall of Warner
Blodgett & Co, the number had dropped
70 43. Now the number must be Insignia
cant. The Philippines have wonderful I'M
developed resources. The output of hemp
sugar and tobacco could be greatly increas
ed under a civilized government. Coal
ana IRON are there in great quantities, |
believe, and might now be important arti-
Giles of export had we taken the islands ten
years ago. Now that the American flag
has replaced the Spanish at Manila look
for great future for the Philippines.
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