Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-28
HOME RUE IN LUZ0N
Establishing Municipal Governments
in therPhiHppines.
INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED At MANILA
Will Operate in All Cities and
Tawns, Captured.
REG FOR COUNCILS

Instructions have been issued at Manila
for the establishment Of order and tenn
porary government in the towns adjacent
to the railway line and within the territory
OF United States occupation, have been ap-
proved by Gen. Otis, the department COM
mander, and have been adopted as proper
measures and regulations for the temporary
control of all cities and towns which the
United States have or may hereafter take
and hold in cases where civil administra-
ton is wanting. They Will be put in force
by the senior officers of troops present in
so far as conditions parnit-those officers
exercising control over the formation Of
such governm entsan the proceedings under
its immediate supervision. They are as
follows:
In each town there will be a municipal
council, composed Of a president and as
many representatives or headmen as there
may be in wards or barrios in the town.
which will be charged with the maintenance
of public order and the regulation of NUM-
cipal affairs In particulars hereinafter
pamed. 1t will formulate rules to govern
its sessions and order Of business connected
Herewith. and by majority vote 0o be
determined by the president in case of a
tie) will, through the adoption of ordi-
nances or DEGREES, to be executed by the
p
ment; but no ordinance or decree shall be
enforced until it receives the approval Of
the commanding officers of the troops there
stationed.
The president shall be elected by a viva
voce vote Of the residents of a town, ap-
proved by the commanding officer, ana, to-
gether with the headmen or representatives
Of the council, shall hold office for one
year. He shall be of native birth and par
entage, and a resident and property owner
OF the town. Headmen shall be elected by
viva voce vote of residents in their wards
or barrios, and shall reside and own prop
erty therein.
The president shall be the executive of
the municipal council to execute it's DEGREES
issued for the following purposes, viz:
To establish police force
To collect taxes and license fees, to act as
treasurer of public funds and to make dis
bursements warrants of the council
To enforce regulations relating to traffic
and the sale of spirits, to establish and reg
ulate markets. to inspect live stock and
record transfers and brands of the same.
To perform the duties formerly belonging
to the lieutenant of paddy fields.
To enforce sanitary measures
To establish schools.
To provide for lighting the town.
The senior headman, one designated by
the council shall be vice president of the
same, assistant to the president. be ex-
offlcto lieutenant of police.
The headman of a ward Is the delegate of
the president for fthat ward; shall take
measures to maintain order and shall have
The council shall have no jurisdiction in
civil cases. but on the application of par
ties In interest and their agreement in writ
ing to accept the award Of the council, 1t
shall hear and decide cases involving prop
erty not exceeding in value $500
In criminal matters the president. repre-
senting the council, shall make the pre-
liminary eXamina ton, and, according to the
result, discharge the prisoner or transfer
him Immediately to- the custody of the mill
tary authorities for trial by provost court.
Ttn of ,ntt
order the arrest OF persons violating a city
ordinance, disturbing the peace accused
of crime: but no person shall be held in
confinement longer than twenty-four hours
without preliminary examination, and no
person shall be arrested for non-payment
of taxes or for debt.
The president shall render to the coun-
Gil during the first week of each month a
certified account Of collections under each
tax and Of disbursements made during the
preceding month. Said account having been
approved by the council shall be forward
ed with vouchers to the commanding officer
Of the troops, who shall make and retain
a certified copy thereof.
Special appropriations shall require the
unanimous vote of the council; regular dis
bursements shall be made by ordinary de-
cree majority vote.
Whenever the commanding officer of
troops shall notify, in writing, the council
that in his judgment decree issued I'M
der subdivision three is inadequately exc
cuted or shall make any other criticism or
recommendation the coG7>i1 will convene
as soon thereafter as practicable, consider
his communication and shall make written
reply thereto, which reply; if he deem it in
sufficient. he shall forward with his re-
marks through military channels to head
quarters.
The foregoing provisions, tentative in
character, are subject to amendment by
enlargement curtailment special con-
ditions or developments may make neces-
Sary.