The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-11

A " hrpW Copyright " Hp&B

ernOr on our American frontier of In
dianS-the fiercest and most unruly of
races. General Merritt has been sue
cesSfuI and in war never lost a battle
He is a vigorous, we'll balanced man, in
good health-tall, handsome, strongly
built, cOurtly, dignified, stately in his
manner and every inch a soldier.
The American governor will find
scope for all his genius in this ocean
kingdom of nearly $50, 900 square miles
and 100000 population, representing
thirty-nine provinces with names re-
Quiring two men and boy to pro-
nounce. The head of the administra-
ton in the Philippines is the captain
and governor general, who resides at
Manila. Next to the governor of Cuba
it has been the most important and
lucrative position at the disposal of the
Madrid government But these COVER
nors have been the object of political
removal with every change of the cab
met, the official sometimes remaining
in office only a few months.
The church officials, the real rulers
of the country, generally remain in
years there were but two archbishOps.
The supremacy of the ecclesiastical
branch of the government and uncer-
tainly of political tenure, it is said, led
the office-hOlders to loot the treasury
and rob the people remOrSelessly while
temporarily in power; hence the cor
ruption and oppression, ending in rev.
oIutiOn.
Under the political system in the
Philippines the heads of departments
consider themselves fortunate If able
to keep their positions One-quarter of
the time allowed ecclesiastical officials
of a corresponding grade. There, as In
Spain, a Niagara of bombast and social
display is noticeable. 1t helps hide the
rottenness of the administration. The
titles alone of the captain general fill
a page, embracing all the attributes of
government except authority over the
fleet, which is subject to the ministry
of marine in Spain. The captain gen.
eral also has limited jurisdiction in
church matters. If he dies the lieu
tenant governor takes his place under
the title of second head
The Philippines are divided into prov
inces subject either to pOltico-m military
governors or alcaldes mayores, who
eminent is military an assistant lieu
tenant governor, who must have grad
uated as a lawyer, exercises the pre-
liminary Jurisdiction, but the alca1des
hold that jurisdiction in their own
persons. Both dispose in their prov
inces of the military authority, and
have the controlling direction of col
lecting revenues, being responsible to
the general administrator of tributes.
The provinces are divided into pueb-
los Gowns or Villages), over each of
which a native Indian or mestizo (half-
breed is placed. He is called 'tgoVer-
noT'-the little governOr-and assisted
by native lieutenants, and alguacils,
whose number is regulated by the ex-
tent of the population. This body set
ties all matters of police and civil ques-
tions between natives as to rights of
person and property.
In districts where the Chinese or their
descendants are sufficiently numerous
they are allowed by a special authority of
the government to select delegates to this
local body independently of Indian juris-
(called Principalia of the Pueblo0 is rep
resentative and more less democratic.
The members are especially charged to
worship and ecclesiastical authority. They
determine questions involving amounts
less than A silver dollars; they collect
evidence in criminal cases. which is SUBJ
mitted to the provincial chief, and assist
in the collection of the royal revenues;
ment among the people, and last, but not
least, are authorized to levy alleged
of their office and their dignity.
Besides these. there are in every pueblo
certain certain + funeStio od called Cabezas
collection of the chiefs of families or per-
sons paying tribute, usually amounting
to 40 or so in number. They are under
the charge of cabeza, who must dwell
among them, and under bond collect the
tribute due the state. He must settle
disputes, maintain peace and order, and
collect taxes for payment to the little
also acts as the local lawyer of the COM
munity. He has privileges. one of which
is to affix Don to his name, and in
some provinces he can hold office for
three years. The little governors of
the pueblo are elected annually, and next
to cock fighting it is the supreme event Of
the year. There are thirteen electors for
A province is ruled by civil ecclesias-
teal functionary- There are special pro-
visions and concessions allowed the Chi
nese, who enter largely into the popula-'
ton in some districts As there are 30
OOO or 10000 of the Chinese. they are no
The chief end of all this machinery.
these local induIgences to the rural mag
revenue for Spain. Taxes. oppressive as
sessments, fines for spite or revenge, and