The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-06

and Major General Otis in establishing
peace and order in the archipelago and
the largest measure of self-government
compatible with the true welfare of the
people. What they actually found can
best be set forth in their own words:
"Deplorable as war is, the one in
which we are now engaged was I'M
avoidable by us. We were attacked by
a bold. adventurous and enthusiastic
army. No alternative was left to ex-
cept ignominious retreat.
1T is not to be conceived of that any
American would have sanctioned the
surrender of Manila to the insurgents.
Our obligations to other nations and to
the friendly Filipinos and to ourselves
and our flag demanded that force should
be met by force. Whatever the future
of the Philippines may be, there is no
course open to us now except the prose-
cution Of the war until the insurgents
are reduced to submission. The COM
mission is of the opinion that there has
been no time since the destruction of
the Spanish squadron by Admiral
Dewey when it was possible to with
draw our forces from the islands either
with honor to ourselves or with safety
to the inhabitants"
Rebellion Must Be Crushed.
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unf1inchingly pursued. The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil govern
ment cannot be thoroughly established
until order is restored. With resolu-
ton and gallantry worthy of it's most
brilliant history, the army, ably and
loyalty assisted by the navy, has car
ried on this unwelcome but most right
eous campaign with richly deserved
success. The noble self-sacrifice with
which our soldiers and sailors whose
- !, ix,l 70,
avail themselves of their right to return
home as long as they were needed at
the front forms one of the brightest
pages in our annals. Although their
operations have been somewhat inter-
rupted and checked by a rainy season
of unusual violence and duration, they
Have gained ground steadily in every
direction and now look forward conf
IDENTIFY to speedy completion of their
task
The unfavorable circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have
not been permitted to interfere with the
equally important work of reconstruc-
ton. Again I invite your attention to
the report of the commissioners for the
interesting and encouraging details of
the work already accomplished in the
establishment of peace and order and
the Inauguration of self-governing mu-
nicipal life in many portions of the
archipelago. A notable beginning has
been made in the establishment of a
government in the island of Negroes
which is deserving of special considera-
ton. This was the first island to ac-
cept American sovereignty. Its people
unreservedly proclaimed allegiance to
the United States and adopted consti-
tuition looking to the establishment of q
popular government. 1t was impossi-
BILE to guarantee to the people of Negroes
that the constitution so adopted should
be the ultimate form of government.
Such question. under the treaty with
Spain and in accordance with our own
constitution and laws, came exclusively
under the jurisdiction of congress. The
government actually set up by the in
habitants of Negroes eventually proved
unsatisfactory to the natives them
selves A new system was put into
force by order of the major general
commanding the department. of which
the following are the most important
elements:
Government of Negros.
1t was ordered that the government
of the island of Negroes should consist
of military governor appointed by
the United States military government
of the Philippines and civil governor
and an advisory council elected by the
people. The military governor was au-
thorized to appoint secretaries of the
treasury, interior, agriculture, public in
struction, an attorney general and an
auditor The seat of government was
fixed at Bacolor. The military COVER
nor exercises the supreme executive
power. He is to see that the laws are
executed, appoint to offices and fill all
vacancies in office not otherwise pro-
vided for and may. with the approval
of the military governor of the Philip
pines, remove any officer from office.
The civil governor advises the military
government on all public and civil ques-
tons and presides over the advisory
council. He, in general, performs the
duties which are performed by the sec
retaries of state in our own system of
government.
The advisory council consists of eight
members elected by the people within
territorial limits which are defined in
the order of the commanding general.
The times and places of holding cleo
lions are to be fixed by the military
governor of the island of Negros. The
qualifications Of voters are as follows:
Q). A voter must be male citizen
of the island of Negroes. CD OF the
age of q years. (3). He shall be able
to speak, read and write the English
Spanish or Visayan language, or he
must own real property worth $500 or
pay a rental on real property of the
value of $1,000. "a. He must have re-
sided in the island not less than one
year preceding and in the district in
which he offers to register as a voter
not less than three months immediate
ly preceding the time he offers to reg
lister (5. He must register at
time fixed by law before voting. 60.
Prior to such registra ton he shall have
paid all taxes due by him to the gov
eminent Provided, that no insane per-
son shall be allowed to register or vote.
The military governor has the right
to veto all bills or resolutions adopted
by the advisory council, and his veto
is final if not disapproved by the mill
tary governor of the Philippines. The
advisory council discharges all the or
binary duties of a legislature. The
usual duties pertaining to said offic
ers are to be performed by the secre-
taries of the treasury, interior, agri-
culture, public instruction, the attorney
general and the auditor.
The judicial power is vested in three
judges, who are to be appointed by the
military governor of the island. In
feriOr cOlrtS are to he eSta hliShed