Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-12-08

the establishment Of a government in
! the island of Negros, which is deserving
of special consideration. This was the
hrst island TO accept American sovereign
ty. Its people unreservedly proclaimed
allegiance to the United States. and
adopted a constitution looking to the es-
Establishment of popular government. 1t
was impossible to guarantee to the peo-
pie of Negros 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 ex-
ciuSlVely under the jurisdiction of con-
gress. The government actually set up
by the inhabitants of Negros eventually
proved unsatisfactory to the natives them
selves. A new system was put into force
by order of the major-general command
ing the department. of which the fol-
lowing are the most important elements:
1t was ordered that the government of
the island of Negroes should consist of a
military governor. appointed by the
United States military governor of the
Philippines. and a civil governor and an
advisory council elected by the people. The
military governor was authorized to an
point secretaries of the trea sury. Interior,
agriculture. public instruction. an attor-
ney-general and an auditor The seat of
government was fixed al Bacolor. The
military governor exercises the supreme
laws are executed. appoint to offices and
fill all vacancies In office not otherwise
provided for and may. with the approval
of the military governor of the Phi'p-
pines. remove any officer from office. The
civil governor advises the military gov
ernor on all public and civil questions.
and presides over the advisory council.
He in general. performs the duties which
are performed by secretaries of state In
our own system of government. The ad-
visory council consists Of eight members
elected bv the peonle within territorial
limits which are defined in the order of
the commanding general
Agreement with Sultan Of SuIus.
The authorities of the Sulu islands have
accepted the succession OF the United
States to the rights of Spain. and our flag
floats over that territory. On the 10th
| of August, 1899. Brigadier-General Bates.
/ United States volunteers. negotiated an
agreement with the sultan and his prin-
cipal chiefs. which transmit herewith.
Rebellion Nearly Ended.
I communicate these facts to the con-
gress for its Information and action.
Everything indicates that with the speedy
suppression of the Tagal rebellion. life in
! the archipelago will soon assume its ordi-
nary course under the protection of our
sovereignty. and the people of those ia
| vored islands will enjoy prosperity and
a freedom which they have never before
known. Already hundreds of schools are
open and filled with children. Religious
| freedom is sacredly assured and enjoyed,
| and the courts are dispensing justice.
| Business Is beginning to circulate in its
accustomed channels. Manila. whose in
| hab!tsnts were fleeing to the country a
| few months ago. is now a populous and
| thriving mart of commerce. The earnest
and unremitting endeavors of the COM
| mission and the admiral and ma jor-gen-
| eral commanding the department Of the
Pacific. to assure the people of the benefi-
| cent intentions of this government have
| had their legitimate effect In convincing
| the great mass of them that peace and
| safety and prosperity and stable govern
| ment can only be found In loyal accept
ance of the authority of the United States.
The Duty of Congress.
| The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress of the Unit
ed States. Few graver responsibilities
! have ever been confided to Us. II NC
accept them In a spirit worthy of our race
| and traditions, great opportunity comes
with them. The islands lie under the
shelter of our flag. They are ours by
| every title OF law and equity. They can
| not be abandoned. II we desert them we
| leave them at once to anarchy and finally
| to barbarism. We fling them. a golden
| apple of discord. among the rival powers,
| no one of which would permit another to
| seize them unquestiohed. Their rich
plains and valleys would be the scene of
| endless strife and bloodshed- The advent
| of Dewey's fleet In Manila hay. instead
OF being. as We hope the dawn of new
day of freedom and progress. would have
| been the beginning of an era of misery and
violence worse than any which has dark
ened their unhappy past.
1t does not seem desirable that I should
recommend at this time specific final
| form of government for these islands
| When peace shall be restored II will be the
duty of congress to construct plan of
government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and order and peace in
the Philippines The insurrection is still
existing. and when 1t terminates. further
Information will be required as to the
actual condition of affairs before inaugu-
rating permanent scheme of civil gov
eminent.
The full report of the commission. now
| In preparation, will contain information
and suggestions which will be OF value to
congress. and which I will transmit as
soon as 1t Is completed As long as the
instruction continues. the military arm
must necessarily be supreme