Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-07
THE PHILIPPINE
COMMISSIONERS
ORDER OF PRESIDENT
MCKINLEY.

New York, March IA dispatch to the
Tribune from Washington says: Renewed
| interest in the situation in the Philippines
is awakened by the establishment at
Manila Of the civil members of the COM
! mission which has been designated by the
president to represent him in the archi-
petago. The speculation regarding the
duties of this commission and the author
lty it Will have in the colonial government
are set at rest by the publication of the
order issued by the president. 1t will be
noted that the military government of the
island under Gen. Otis will be continued
without interference until congress makes
other provision and that the commissions
powers, while important, are very largely
advisory. The order says:
I'm order to facilitate the most humane
specific and effective extension of author
ity throughout these islands and to secure
with the least possible delay the benefits
of a wise and generous protection of life
and property to the inhabitants, l. have
named Jacob G. Schurman, Rear Admiral
George Dewey, Major General Elwell S
Otis, Charles DENLY and Dean c. Worces-
ter to constitute commission to aid In
the accomplishment of these results. In
the performance of this duty the commits
sioners are 7enjoined to meet at the earli-
est possible day in the city of Manila and
to announce by public proclamation
their presence and the mission intrusted
to them, carefully setting forth that
while the military government proclaim
ed is to be maintained and continued so
long as necessity may require, efforts will
be made to alleviate the burden of taxa
ton, to establish industrial and CONNER
cial prosperity and to provide for the
safety of persons and property by such
means as may be found conducive to these
ends.
'"The commissioners will endeavor
without interference with the military
authorities of the United States now in
control of the Philippines. to ascertain
what ameioration in the condition of the
| inhabitants and what improvements in
public order may be practicable and for
this purpose they will study attentiyely
the existing social and political statef,of
the various populations, particularly as
regards the forms of local government
the administration of justice, the collec
tion Of customs and other taxes, the
means of transportation and the needs
of public improvements. They will report
through the state department, according
to the forms customary or hereafter pre-
scribed for transmitting and preserving
such communications, the results of their
observations and reflections, and will rec
Ommend such executive action as may
from time to time seem to them wise and
useful. The commissioners are hereby
authorized to confer authoritatively with
any persons resident in the islands from
whom they may believe themselves able
to derive information or suggestions
valuable for the purposes of their COM
mission or whom they may choose to en-
ploy as agents as may be necessary for
this purpose.ul ln,'>-
'The temporary, government of the
islands is entrusted to the military au-
thorties and will continue until congress
shall determine otherwise The commits
sion may render valuable services by ex-
amning, with special care the Legislative
needs of the various groups of inhabi-
tants and by reporting, with recon-
mendat tions, the measures which should
be instituted for the maintenance of order
and peace and public welfare, either after
Temporary steps to be taken, after the
perfection of the present administration
or as suggestions for future legislation.
Insofar as immediate personal changes
in the civil administration may seem to
be advisable the commissioners are en-
powered to recommend suitable persons
for appointment to these Offices from
among the inhabitants of the islands who
have previously acknowledged their al |
legiance to this government. 1t is my de- |
sire that in all their relations with the |
nha bitants of the islands the commis- |
sioners exercise due respect for all the |
ideals, customs and institutions of the /
tribes and races which compose the popu |
lation, emphasizing upon all occasions the !
just and benefcent intentions Of the gov |
ernment of the United States" |