The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-07
NJ NNLEY'S PHILIPPINE BOARD
PRESIDENT DEFINES DUTIES oF
COMMISSIONERS.
Are to Study Conditions On the
Islands and Make Recommends
tons as to Legislation.

New York, March IA dispatch to
the Tribune from Washington says:
Renewed interest in the situation in the
Philippines is awakened by the ar
rival at Manila of the civilian members
of the commission which has been des-
| ignated by the president to represent
him in the archipelago. The specula-
ton regarding the duties of this COM
mission and the authority it will have
/ in the colonial government are set at
rest by the publication of the order IS
| sued by the president. 1t will be noted
| that the military government OF the
| island under General Otis Will be con-
! tinued without interference until con-
gress makes other provision, and that
the commissions powers, While import
ant, are very largely advisory. The or
der says:
In order to facilitate the most hu-
name, pacific and effective extension of
authority throughout these Islands, and
to secure with the least possible delay
the benefits of wise and generous pro-
lection of life and property TO the In
habitants. 1 have named Jacob g.
Schurman, Rear Admiral George Dew
ey, Major General Elwell S. Otis, Chas-
DENLY and Dean c. Worcester to con-
d
complishment of these results.
I'm the performance of this duty the
commissioners are enjoined to meet at
the earliest possible day in the city of
Manila and to announce by public
proclamation their presence and the
mission intrusted to them, carefully
setting forth that, while the military
government already proclaimed is to be
maintained and continued so long as
necessity may require, efforts will be
made to alleviate the burden of taxa
ton to establish industrial and COM
mercial prosperity and to provide for
the safety of persons and of property
by such means as may be found con-
ducive to these ends.
1.-The commissioners will endeavor,
without interference with the military
authorities of the United States now in
control of the Philippines, TO ascertain
what amelioration in the condition of
the inhabitants and what improvements
in public order may be practicable,
and for this purpose they will study
attentively the existing social and po-
litical state of the various populations,
particularly as regards the forms of To-
cal government, the administration of
justice, the collection of customs and
other taxes, the means of transpOrta-
ton and the needs of public improve
mentS.
"They will report through the state
according to the forms
customary or hereafter prescribed for
and preserving such com
the results of their OBJ
servations and reflections, and will rec
ommend such executive action as may
from time to time seem to them wise
and useful.
THE commissioners are hereby au-
to confer authoritatively with
any persons resident in the islands,
from whom they may believe them
selves able to derive information or
suggestions valuable for the purposes
of their commission, or whom they
may choose to employ as agents as may
be necessary for this purpose.
THE temporary governments of the
islands is intrusted to the military au-
thOrities and will continue until con-
gress shall determine otherwise. The
may render valuable serv-
ices by examining with special care
the legislative needs of the various
groups of inhabitants, and by report
ing with recommendations, the meas
ures which should be instituted for
the maintenance of order, peace and
public welfare, either as temporary
steps to be taken Immediately for the
perfection of the present administra-
ton, or as suggestions for future leg
Station.
In SO far as immediate personal
changes in the civil administration may
seem to be advisable, the commissioners
are empowered to recommend suitable !
persons for appointment to these Of
fees from among the inhabitants of the |
Islands who have previously acknowI- !
edged their allegiance to this govern |
nenlt.
1T is my desire that in all their re-
ations with the inhabitants of the !
Stands the commissioners exercise due /
respect for all the ideals, customs and |
Institutions of the tribes and races !
which compose the population, empha- !
sizing upon all occasions the just and !
oeneficent intentions of the government |
If the United States"