The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1899-12-15

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-
visory council.
tributed equally and equitably among the
people 4 40 mi taty
lect and receive the customs revenues and
will control postal matters and Philippine
inter-island trade and commerce.
The military governor, subject TO the
approval of the military governor of the
specifically provided for and which do not
come under the jurisdiction of the advis-
DRY council
Sulu Islands.
The authorities Of the Sulu islands have
accepted the succession OF the United
States to the rights or Spain, and our
flag floats over that territory. On the
10th of August. $780, Brig. Gen. j. e.
Bates, ". s. Volunteers, negotiated an
agreement with the sultan and his prin-
cipal chiefs. BY article / the sovereignty
of the United States over the whole archl-
pelago of Jolo and its dependencies Is de-
clared and acknowledged.
Everything indicates that, with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo rebel
lion, life in the archipelago Will soon re-
sumo it's ordinary course under the pro-
of those favored islands will enjoy pros
perity and a freedom which they have
never before known. Already hundreds OF
schools are open.
Future Government.
The future government OF the Philip
pines rests with the congress OF the Uni
ted States. Few graver responsibilities
have ever been contided to u.s. If we ac-
cept them in a spirit worthy of our race
and our traditions "a great si opportunity IdS
the shelter Of our flag. They are ours by
every title OF law and equity. They can
not be abandoned. IL we desert them we
leave them at once TO anarchy and finally
to barbarism We fling them, a golden
apple of discord, among the rival powers
no one of which could permit another to
seize them unquestioned. Their rich
plains and valleys would be the scene or
endless strife and bloodshed. The advent
of DeWey's feet in Mai.!na bay instead or
being. as we hope, the dawn of new
day of freedom and progress, VIII have
been the beginning OF an era OF misery
and violence worse than any which has
darkened their unhappy past.
1t does not seem desirable that should
recommend al this time special and maj
When peace shall be restored it will be
the duty of congress to construct plan
of government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and older and peace in
the Philippines.
Legislation for Hawaii.
The people of these islands are entitled
to the benefits and privileges of our con-
stitution, but in the absence of any act of
congress providing for federal courts in
the Islands, and for procedure by which
proceedings i necessary FOR Tor the enforce
ment Of civil rights may be prosecuted.
they are poWerless To secure their en-
forcemelt by the judgment of the courts
of the United States. It is manifestly i'm
portant, therefore, that an act shall be
passed as speedily as possible erecting
these Islands into judicial district, pro-
vding for the appointment OF Judge and
other proper officers and methods OF pro-
cedure in appellate proceedings, and that
the government of this newly acquired
territory under the federal constitution,
shall be fully defined and provided for.
Alaska Laws.
A necessity for immediate legislative re-
lief exists in the territory of Alaska. Sub
stantially the only law providing a civil
goveeInment for this territory is the act
or May IL, 1884. This is meager in its
provisions, and is fitted only for the ad-
ministration of affairs in a country
sparsely inhabited by civilized people and
unimportant in trade and production, as
was Alaska at the time this act was
passed.
Government for Porto Rico.
I recommend that legislation to the
same end be had with reference to the
government OF Porto Rico. The time Is
ripe for the adoption of a temporary form
of government for this island; and many
suggestions made with reference to Alas
ka are applicable also to Porto Rico. The
system OF civil jurisprudence now adopt
ed by the people of this island is de-
scribed by competent lawyers, who are
lam ran with 1t, as thoroughly modern
and scientific so far as 1t relates to mat
tiers of international business, trade, pro-
duction and social and private right in
general. The cities of the island are gov
erned under charters which probably re-
quire very little or no change. So that
with relation to matters of local concern
and private right, 1t is not probable that
much if any legislation is desirable; but
with reference TO public administration
and the relations of the island TO the fed
eral government, there are many mat
tiers which are of pressing urgency. The
same necessity exists for legislation on
the part of congress to establish federal
courts and federal jurisdiction in the ISL
and, as has been previously pointed out
by me with reference to Hawaii.
1t is desirable that the government of
the island under the law of belligerent
right, now maintained through the exec
utive department. should be superseded
by an administration entirely civil In its
nature. For the present purposes l rec
ommend that congress pass law for the
organization of a temporary government,
which shall provide for the appointment
by the president, subject to confirmation
other officers as the general administra-
ton of the island may require. and that
for legislative purposes upon subjects or
local nature not partaking OF federal
character a legislative council. composed
partly OF Porto Ricans and partly OF citi-
zens of the United States, shall be nom
mated and appointed by the president,
subject to confirmation by the senate;
their acts to be subject to the approval
of the congress or the president prior to
going into effect
In the municipalities and other local
subdivisions l recommend that the prin-
ciple of self-government be applied at
once so as to enable the intelligent citi-
zens of the island to participate In their
own government and TO learn by prac-
tical experience the duties and require
ments of a self contained and self-govern-
ing PEOPLE.
The Civil Service.
The executive order of May G, 1896, ex
tending the limits of the classified SER
vice, brought within the operation Of the
civil service law and rules nearly all OF
the executive civil service not previously
classified.
Some of the incluslons were found
wholly illogical and unsuited TO the work
Of the several departments The applica-
ton IF the rules TO many or the places SO
included was found 10 result in friction
and embarrassment After long and very
careful consideration IL became evident
to the heads of the departments, respon-
sible for their efficiency that in order to
remove these difficulties and promote an