The Philipsburg mail., 1899-11-17
First Of the Philippine Islands to
Accept Autonomous Government.
THE CELEBRATION AT BACOLOR
The Programme Included Music, Horse
Racing and Other Sports-Festivi-
ties Close with Fireworks
and Grand Ball.

At BacOlOr, in the island of NegrOs,
the first autonomous government of the
FilipinOs was established November 9Th
General Smith, governor of the island
of Negros, administered the oath Of
office to the Judge of the supreme
court, who, in turn, swore in the gov
ernOr. three judges, twelve councilmen
the auditor and the secretary of the in
terror The natives of the entire island
attended the ceremony.
The officers from Ilollo were also
present Three days of feasting fol-
lowed in celebration of the new gov
ernment and tne first anniversary of the
surrender Of the Spaniards to the Ne
gros revolutionists ended with ball in
the government house. American flags
were displayed in the village. The cele-
bration consisted of horse racing and
other sports, music, religious functions
and illuminations.
wealthy planters, and there was a great
display of rich costumes and costly
jewels, such as would be seen at a SINH
Elections We're held October 2d, the
number of votes cast beng 5,o3S. There
were forty-ejght candidates for the va
rious offices.
Ma1ectio SeverinO was elected gov
ernor, receiving 1.305 votes, while Senior
Gaime received 1,277 votes. Suffrage
was determined by property qualifica-
tions and ability to read and write.
Colonel Minor welcomed the officials
on behalf Of the United States. In the
course of his remarks he said 'Negros
leads in the van of American civil gov.
ernment in the Philippines. Your honor
lies In adding a new star to freedoms
flag"
General Smith, during speech which
he delivered, said: your future prom
ises as brightly as Japan's, which is
recognized rs among the civilized na
tions of the world
senior Severino, in replying said that
the best thing for the future of Negros
was the continuance of close relations
with the United States.
General Smith then announced the !
granting of freedom to the political |
prisoners in commemoration Of the
event.
General Hughes, in command at
lloilo rendered congratulatory speech
over the eastern cable from that place.
General Smith, in an interview, re-
marked that it was of the utmost i'm
portance that the Filipinos should be at
once ught to recognize the sovereignty
of the United States
THE gravest danger" he added,
"thr' atening peaceful administration
is intrigue among the insular poli'i-
clans, and he declared that the United
States must for years keep control of
the Philippines in order to prevent such
from existing.
A recently organized revolutionary
has been discovered in the
northern part of Negros, and the lead
ers have been forced TO withdraw TO
Ranay. A number of bandits under
the leadership of Isio, religious char
latan, have been driven into the noun
tains, and it is expected they will give
more trouble
A force of $50 native soldiers, armed
with Springfield rifles are helping the
and are found to be valu-
able as scouts. General Lawtons opera
tions have been temporarily suspended
owing to heavy rains The country
around CaDanatuan is flooded. The
river, however, has begun falling and
probably the country in tina. section
will soon resume its normal condition