The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-14

I refused to avail themselves OF thei,
right to return home as long as the,
were needed at the front, forms one o
2 the brightest pages In our annals
Although their operations have beer
somewhat interrupted and checked b,
9 rainy season OF unusual violence anc
duration, they have gained grount
steadily in every direction and nov
look forward confidently to speed,
completion of their task. The unfavor
able circumstances connected with al
active campaign have not been per
mitted to interfere with the equall,
important work of reconstruction.
A notable beginning has been mad
In the establishment of o government
in tho island OF Negros, which is de-
serving OF special consideration. This
was the first island TO accept American
sovereignty. Its citizens unreservedly
proclaimed allegiance to tho United
States and adopted q constitution look
Ing to the establishment of popular
| government 1t was impossible to
guarantee to the people Of Negros that
| the constitution so adopted should be
the ultimate form OF government. Such
a question under the treaty with Spain
and In accordance with our conetitu-
tton and laws carle exclusively within
the jurisdiction o: Congress. The gov
crnment actually act up by the inhabl.
tants Of Negr0s eventually proved up.
satisfactory to tho natives themselves.
a new system was put in force by or
der OF the major general command
ing tho department Of which tho fol.
lowing arc tho most important cle.
mcnts:
1t was ordered that the government
OF the island OF Negros should consist
oj military government 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 au-
thorizcd to appoint secretaries OF the
treasury, Interior, agriculture, public
Instruction, an attorney general and an
auditor. The scat OF government was
fixed at Bncolod. The military gover-
nor exercises the supreme executive
power. He is to sec that the laws are
executed, appoint to Office and fill all
vacancies In ollice not otherwise pro
vidcd for, and may, with the approval
OF the military governor for the
Philippines, remove any officer from
office. The civil governor advises the
military governor on all public qucs-
tions, and presides over tho advis-
ory council. He, in general, performs
tho duties whicn are performed bv
secretaries OF state in our own system
OF government.
The advisory council consists OF eight
members elected by the people w!th!m
territorial limits, which are de(iped
In tho order Of tho commanding gen
eral.
Tie time and places OF holding elec.
tions are to be fixed by the military
governor OF the Island of Negroes,
The qualifications OF voters are as fol-
lows:
l. And voter must be O male citi.
zen of the island OF Negros.
2. OF the age Of twenty.one yoars.
3. He shall oe able to speak, reac
and write 'he English, Spanish or
Vleayan language, or he must own
| real property worth $500 or pay a rent
al on real property Of the valuo OF
81 900.
4. He must have resided in the island
not less than one year preceding, and
In the district in which hc offers 10
register as voter not less than three
months Immediately preceding the
| time he offers to register.
| B. he must register at u time fixed
by law before voting.
q. Prior to such registration he shall
have paid all taxes due by him to the
government, provided that 70 insane
person 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 Phil ippines. Tho
advisory council discharges all the or.
dinary duties OF legislature. The
usual duties pertaining to said Offices
are to be performed by the secretary 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 governor of the island. In
ferlor courts are to be esta tablishcd.
Free public schools are to be estab.
lished throughout the populous dis
tricts OF the island. in which the Enc.
lish lang uage shall be taught, and this
subject will receive the careful con.
s,deration OF tho advisory council.
The burden OF government must be |
distributed equally and equitably |
among the people. The military auL
thorities will collect and receive the |
customs revenue and will control postal |
matters and Philippine nter-island |
trade and commerce.
Inc military government, subject to |
approval OF the military governor OF |
the Philippines, determines all cues.
tions not specifically provided for, and |
which do not como under the jurisdic. |
tion OF the advisory council.
communicate these facts to tho |
Congress for It's information and &C.
ton. Everything indicates that with
the speedy suppression OF tho Tagalo |
rebellion, life In the archipelago will
soon resume It's ordinary course under
the protection of our sovereignty and |
the people OF these favored islands will |
enjoy prosperity and o freedom which |
they have never before known. AL |
ready hundreds OF schools arc open
and filled with children. Religious
freedom Is secredly assured and en-
joycd. The courts are dispensing ius.
ticc. Business is beginning to circulate
In Its accustomed channels. Manila,
whose inhabitants were Il ,eing to the
country few months ago Ia now a
populous thriving mart OF commerce,
The earnest and unremitting endeeyOrs
OF the. commission and the admiral and
MAYOR general commanding the depart.