The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-08


district III which he offers to register as
q voter not less than three months i'm
mediately preceding the time he offers to |
register. (5) Fe must register at time
fixed by law before voting. C6) Prior to
such registration he shall have paid all
taxes due by him to the government. Pro-
vided, that no insane person shall be al
lowed 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 military COVER
nor Of the Philippines.
The advisory council discharges all the
ordinary duties Of legislature The usual
duties pertaining to said offices are to be
performed by the secretaries of the treas
ury, interior, agriculture, public instruc-
tion, the attorney general, and the audi
tor
The judicial power is vested in three
judges, who are to be appointed by the
military governor of the island. Inferior
courts are to be established.
Free public schools are to be established
| throughout the populous districts of the
island, in which the English language
shall be taught, and this subject will re-
ceive the careful consideration of the ad-
yisory council
The burden of the government must be
distributed equally and equitably among
the people The military authorities will
collect and receive the customs revenue
and will control postal matters and Phil
ippine inter-island trade and commerce.
The military governor, subject to the
approval Of the military governor of the
Philippines, determines all questions not
specifically provided for and which do not
| come under the jurisdiction of the ad-
visory council.
THE SULTAN OF SULU.
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 j. c.
Bates, United States volunteers, negotiated
| an agreement with the sultan and his
principal chiefs, which 1 transmit here
with. By Article 1 the sovereignty of the
United States over the whole archipelago
of Jolo and its dependencies is declared
and acknowledged.
| 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 hearth
| ly with the United States authorities to
| that end, and to make every possible eff
fort to arrest and bring to justice all per-
sons engaged in piracy. All trade in do
| mestic products of the archipelago of Jolo
1
Philippines islands and under the Ameri-
can flag shall bSfree, unlimited and undu-
table. The United States will give full
protection to the sultan in case any for
eign nation should attempt to impose upon
him. The United States will not sell the
island of Jolo or any other island of the
Jolo archipelago any foreign nation with
out the consent of the sultan. Salaries
for the sultan and his associates in the
6rS,tr, fut~ ~af To-, nf fh0 -1o L.
agreed upon to the amount of S760
monthly.
Article X provides that any slave in the
archipelago of Jolo shall have the right to
purchase freedom by paying to the mas
ter the usual market value. The
agreement by General Bates was made
subject to confirmation by the president
and to future notifications by the consent
of the parties in interest. l have con-
frmed said agreement, subject to the ac-
tion Of the congress, and with the reser-
walton, which 1 have directed shall be
communicated to the Sultan of Jolo, 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. 1 communicate
these facts to the congress for its informa-
ton and action.
OPPOSES = PROTECTORATE.
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 a free
dom which they have never before known.
Already hundreds of schools are open and
filled with children. Religious freedom is
sacredly assured and enjoyed. The courts
/ cin j,1cf p,Yci ic
ming to circulate in its accustomed chan
nels, Manila, whose Inhabitants were fee
ing to the country few months ago, is now
a populous and thriving mart of COM
merce. The earnest and unremitting en-
deavors of the commission and the admiral
and major general commanding the depart
ment of the Pacific to assure the people OF
the beneficent intentions of this govern
ment have had their legitimate effect in
convincing the great mass of them that
, peace and safety and prosperity and stable
, government can only be found in loyal
acceptance of the authority of the United
Estates.
The future government of the Philippines
rests with the congress of the United
States. Few graver responsibilities have
ever been confided to u.s. If we. accept them
, in a spirit worthy of cur race and cul
traditions, a great opportunity comes witt
, | them. The islands lie under the shelter
of our flag They are ours by every title
! of law and equity. They can not be aban-
doned If we desert them we leave then
, 1T once to anarchy and finally to barba.
, | rism. We fling them, golden apple of dis
cord, among the rival powers, no one o
which could permit another to seize then
Iunquestioned Their rich plains and valleys
, would be the scene of endless strife anC
, bloodshed. The advent of Dewey's fleet il
Manila bay instead of being, as we hope
f the dawn of new day of freedom and pro
gress, will have been the beginning of al
era of misery and violence worse than an.
( | which has darkened their unhappy past
a The suggestion has been made that W,
1 could renounce our authority over the is
lands and, giving them independence, coult
Y retain protectorate over them. This prop
= osition will not be found, l am sure, wor
t thy of your serious attention Such al
= arrangement would involve at the outse
Y cruel breach of faith. 1t would place tn
: peaceable and loyal majority, who asl
: nothing better than to accept our authority
: at the mercy of the minority of armed in
$ surgents. 1t would make US responsible
Il for the acts of the insurgent leaders an
d give us no power to control them. I
e would charge us with the task of protectin
: them against each other and defendin
IL them against any foreign power wit
Il which they chose to quarrel In short,
II would take from the congress of the Uni
ted States the power of declaring war an
vest that tremendous prerogative in tn
u Tagal leader of the hour.
It FUTURE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT
: 1t does not seem desirable that l shoul
: recommend at this time a specific and fina
form of government for these islands
: When peace shall be restored it will be tn
: duty of congress to construct a plan G
: government which shall establish an