The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-06
IDENTIFY to q speedy completion of their

DeGn permitted TO
Reconstruction interfere with the
p,shad equally important
work of reconstruc-
With VigOr. ton. Again I invite
your attention to
the report of the commissioners, en-
bodying encouraging details of the work
already accomplished in the establish
ment OF peace and order, and the in
&uguratton of self-governing municipal
LIE in many portions of the archipelago.
A notable beginning has been made in
the establishment of 9 government in the
island OF Negroes which is deserving of
special confederation. This was the first
island to accept American sovereignty
Its people umreserVedly proclaimed al
legiance 10 the United States and adopt
ed a constitution looking to the estab-
lishment Of a popular government. It
was impossible to guarantee to the peo-
pie of Negroes 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 own constitution and laws, came ex-
clusively within the Jurisdiction of con-
greSS. The government actually set up
by the inhabitants of Negroes eventually
proved unsatisfactory to the natives
themselves. A new system was put into
force by order Of the major general COM
handing the department, of which the
following are the most important ele-
mentS: 1T is ordered that the govern
ment of the island of Negroes should con-
sist Of military government. approved
by the United States military govern
ment of the Philippines, and a civil gov
eminent and an advisory council elected
by the people. The military government
was authorized to appoint secretaries of
the treasury. interior, agriculture, public
instruction. an attorney general and an
auditor The seat of government was
fixed at Bacolor. The military governor
exercises the same executive power. He
Is to see that the laws are executed, APP
point to oft1e 80 and fill all vacancies in
off1ce not otherwise provided for, and
may, with the approval of the military
governor of the Philippines, remove any
officer from office. The civil governor ad-
civil questions and presldes over the ad-
vlsory council. He, in general. performs
the duties WI re performed by secre-
taries of state in our own system of gov
eminent The advisory council consists
of eight members, elected by the people,
within the territorial limits which are
defined in the order of the commanding
general. The times and places of holding
elections are to be fixed by the military
governor Of the island Of Negroes. The
qualifications of voters are as follows:
u; A voter must be a citizen Of the
twenty-0ne years. 80 He shall be able
to speak, read and write the English,
Spanish or Vizayan language, or he must
rental OH real. property of the value of
$lOGo. "a Ha must have resided in the
island not less than. one year preceding
aid the district in which he offers to
months Immediately preceding the time
he offers to register. 60 He must register
at place fixed by law before voting. 16)
Prior to such registration he shall have
paid all taxes due by him to the gov
eminent. Provided that no insane person
shall be allowed to register or vote.
The governor has the right to veto all
bills or resolutions, adopted by the ad-
Visory council, and his veto Is final IL not
disapproved by the military governor Of
the Philippines. The advisory council
legislature. The usual duties pertaining
to said offices are to be performed by the
secretary Of the treasury, interior agri-
culture. public instruction, the attorney
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 Eng
fish language shall be taught, and this
subject will receive the careful consider
alton Of the advisory council.
The burden of the government must be
distributed equally and equitably among
the people. The military authorities will
will control postal matters and Philippine
internal trade and commerce. The
military governor, subject to the approval
Of the military governor Of the Philip
pines, determines all questions not spe-
officially provided for, and which do not
come under the jurisdiction of the adj
Visory council.
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
Bates, United States volunteers, nego-
tiated an agreement with the Sulu chief
and with his chiefs, which I transmit
herewith. But by the article A the SOW
ereignty Of the United States over the
whole archipelago of Jolo and its de-
Tendencies is declared and acknowledged.
IT,1{k IL
archipelago and its dependencies on land
and sea- Piracy is to be suppressed. and
the sultan agrees to cooperate heartily
with the United States authorities to that
end and to make every possible effort to
arrest and bring to justice all persons en-
gagged in piracy. All trade in the domestic
products Of the archipelago of Jolo to be
carried on with any part of the Philip
pines and under the American flag shall
be free, unlimited and undutiable. The
United States will give full protection to
should attempt to impose upon him The
United States will not sell the island Of
Jolo or any other island OF the Jolo
archipelago to any foreign nation without
the consent Of the sultan. Salaries for
the sultan and his associates in the adj
ministration of the islands have been
agreed upon to the amount of $3.50
Art. X provides that any slave In the
archipelago Of Jolo shall have the right
to purchase freedom
No Slavery by paying to the
In master the usual
market value. The
Suiu Islands. agreement by Gen.
Bates was made
subject to confirmation by the president,
to future modif1ca lions by the consent Of
the parties in interest. 1 have confirmed
said administration, subject to the action
of congress, and with the reservation,
which have directed shall be commu-
nicated to the sultan at 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 COM
municate these facts to the congress for
its information and action.
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression Of the TagaIo rebel
ordinary course under the protection Of
our sovereignty, and the people of those
favored islands will enjoy a prosperity
and a freedom which they have never
before known. Already hundreds Of
schools are open and filed with children
Religious freedom is sacredly assured
and enjoyed. The courts are dispensing
| Justice. Business is beginning to circu-
late in its accustomed channels Manila.
! whose inhabitants were fleeing to the
| country few months ago, is now poD-
ulous and thriving mart OF commerce.
| The earnest and unrenitting endeavors
| OF the commission and the admiral and
major general commanding the depart
ment of the Pacific to assure the people
| Of the benefcent intentions of this gov
| eminent 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
| a loyal acceptance of the authority of
| the United States.
The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress of the
| United States. Few graver responsible
| tits have ever been confided to u.s. If
we accept them in a spirit worthy of our
| race and our traditions, q great oppor-