Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-12-08


power He Is to see that the laws are exc |
cuted, appoint to oice, and fill all vacancies in
the Of ho maTy oRa
the Philippines remove any officer from ONCE. |
The civil governor advises the military COVER
nor on all public civil questions and presides
over the advisory council He, in general per-
forms the duties which are performed by sec
retaries OF state In our own system OF govern
ment.
The advisory council consists of eight mem
bers elected by the people within territorial
limits which are defined In the order OF the
commanding general.
The times and places of holding elections are
to be liked by the military governor OF the
island OF Negros The qualifications OF voters
are follows:
IA voter must be o male citizen of the
island OF Negros
2--Of the age of 81 years.
3-He shall be able to speak, read and write
the English, Spanish, or Visayan language, or
he must own real property worCh 800, or pay q
rental on real property of the value OF 81, 900,
4.-He must have resided in the island not
trict in which he offers to register as n voter
not less than three months Immediately pre-
ceding the time he offers to register.
5-He must register at time fixed by law
before voting.
6-Prior to such registration he shall have
paid all taxes due by him to the government
Provided that no insane person shall be
allowed to register or vote
The military governor has the right to veto
all bills resolutions adopted by the advisory
council, and his veto is final II not disapproved
by the military governor Of the Philippines.
The advisory council discharges all the ordi-
nary duties OF a legislature. The usual duties
pertaining to said offices are to be performed
by the secretaries OF the treasury, interior,
agriculture, public instruction, the attorney
general and the auditor.
The judicial power is vested In three judges
who are to be appointed by the military gov
ernor of the Island. Inferior courts are to be
established
Free public schools are to be established
throughout the populous districts of the ISL
and, in which the English language shall be
taught, and this subject will receive the care
full consideration of the advisory council
tributed equally and equitably among the
people The military authorities will collect
and receive the customs revenue, and will con-
troll postal matters and Philippine inter-island
trade and commerce.
The military governor, subject to the ap-
proval of the military governor of the Philip
pines, determines all questions not specifically
provided for aud which do not come under the
| jurisdiction of the advisory council
The authorities OF tine Sulu islands have ac-
| cepted the succession OF the United States to
| the rights OF Spain, and our flag floats over
that territory. On August 10, 1899, Brig. Cen
Bates negotiated an agreement with the sui
tan and his principal ch efs, which transmit
herewith. BY Article the sovereignty of the
| United States over the whole archipelago and
its dependencies is declared and aclSno wledged
The United States flag will be used in the
archipelago and its dependencies, on land
| and sea. Piracy is to be suppressed, and the
sultan agrees to cooperate heartily with the
| United States authorities to that end and to
make every possible effort to arrest and bring
| to justice all persons engaged In piracy All
| trade in domestic productions of the archipel-
ago when carried on with any part of the Phil
ippine islands and under the American flag
shall be free, unlimited and undutiable.
| Article provides that any slave in the
archipelago shall have the right to purchase
| freedom by paying to the master the usual
market value. The agreement by Gen. Bates
was made subject to confirmation by the presi-
| dent and to future notifications by the con-
| sent of the parties in interest 1 have con-
firmed said agreement, subject to the action of
congress, and with the reservation, which /
nd hall In ntOH
| sultan, that this agreement is not to be
deemed in any way to authorize or give the
consent Of the United States to the existence
| of slavery in the Sulu archipelago. commu-
nicate these facts to congress for its informa-
tion and action.
Everything indicates that with the speedy
suppression of the Tagalo rebellion life in the
archipelago will soon resume its ordinary
course under the protection of our sovereignty
and the people of those favored islands will
enjoy prosperity and n freedom which they
have never before known. Already hundreds
of schools are open and filled with children
Religious freedom is sacredly assured and en-
joyed. The courts are dispensing justice
Business is beginning to circulate in its accus
toned channels. Manila. whose inhabitant
were fleeing to the country few months ago
is now a populouS and thriving mart of com
merce. The earnest endeavors OF the commits
sion and the admiral and major general com
manding the Department OF the Pacific to as
sure the people of the beneficent intentions o
this government have had their Legitimate
effect in convincing the great mass of then
that peace and safety and prosperity ant
stable government can only be found In n loya
acceptance OF the authority OF the United
States
The future government Of the Philippine
| rests with the congress OF the United States
Few graver responsibilities have ever bee
contided to us. II we accept them in spiri
worthy OF our race and our traditions grea
| opportunity comes with them. The islands Ii
under the shelter of our flag. They are our
by every title of law and equity. They canno
them at once to anarchy and finally to barbar
ism. We fling them, golden apple of discord
among the rival powers no one OF which coul
: permit another to seize them unquestionet
I Their rich plains and valleys would be tn
scene of endless strife and boodshed. Th
advent of Deweys feet in Manila bay instea
of being, as we hope, the dawn OF a new da
. OF freedom and progress, Will have been III
beginning of an era of misery and violenc
worse than any which has darkened their un
5 The suggestion has been made that we coul
r renounce our authority over the islands ant
3 giving them independence. could retain u pre-
tectorate over them. This proposition will nc
be found, am sure, worthy OF your serlou
. attention. Such an arrangement would in
volve at the outset cruel breach of faith.
t would place the peaceable and loyal majorit,
a who ask nothing better tian to accept ou
authority, at the mercy Of the minority
Q armed INSURGENTS. It would make us respor
G | Sible for the acts OF the insurgent leaders an
= give us no power to control them. 1t woul
5 charge us with the task OF protecting thel
| against each other and defending them agains
: any foreign power with which they chose
m ,s SsoT IL aae taHe IKE tom IN
declaring war and vest that tremendou
o prerGgativc in the Tagalo leader OF the hour.
Q 1t does not seem desirable that 1 shoul
g recommend ut this time specific and fin
Q form OF government for these islands. Whe
= peace shall lie restored 1t would be the du,
n o. congress to construct plan OF governmer
: which shall establish and maintain freedo
Il and order and peace in the Philippines. III
r insurrection is still existing, and when it tel
o inmates further information will: be required
TO the actual condition OF affairs before inau!
n urating permanent scheme OF civil govern
70 ment The full report of the commission, no
= in preparation, will contain information aI
l. suggestions which will be OF value to congres
IS and which 1 will transmit MS soon as 1t is con
ID pleted. AS long as the insurrection continu,
IT the military arm must necessarily
ID supreme. But there is no reasC
h why steps should not be take
20 from time TO time to inaugurate governmen
of essentially popular in their form as fast
20 territory is held and controlled by our troop
ST To this end am considering the advisabili
l. OF the return of the commission, or such OF Il
Id members thereof as can be secured TO aid u
20 existing authorities and facilitate this wo
ly throughout the islands l have believed tn
l. reconstruction should not begin by the esta
lishment OF one central civil government 4
ID all the islands, with its scat ut Manila, b
r. rather that the work should be commenced
nj building up from the bottom. first estRblShil