Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-03-16
THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION.
President Mckiniey's Instructions
Show the work Which Is
Cut Out for 1t.

New York, March S. - 4 dispatch to
the Tribune from Washington says
that renewed interest in the situation
in the Philippines is awakened by the
establishment at Manila of the civilian
members of the commission which has
been designated by the president to
represent him in the archipelago. The
speculation regarding the duties of this
commission and the authority it will
have in the colonial government are set
at rest by the publication of the order
issued by the president to the secre-
tary of state. 1t will be noted that the
military government of the Islands
under Gen. Otis will be continued with
out interference until congress makes
other provision and that the commits
sion's powers, while important, are
largely advisory. The order says:
"In order to facilitate the most humane,
specific and effective extension of authori-
ty throughout these Islands and to secure
with the least possible delay the dement's
of wise and generous protection OF lie
and property to the inhabitants, l have
named Jacob G.. Schurman. Rear Admiral
George Dewey Maj. Gen. Elwell 5. OTIS,
Charles DENLY and Dean c. Worcester 10
constitute commission to aid in the ac-
COmDllShment OF these results.
I'm the performance of this duty the com
missioners are enjoined to meet at the
earliest possible day in the city OF Mania
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence and The mission intrusted
to them carefully setting forth that. whlIe
the military government already pro
claimed is to be maintained and continued
so long necessity may require, erortS
will be made to alleviate the burdens OF
taxation, to establish industrial and com
s.,r -
safety of persons and of property by such
means as may be found conducive to the5e
ends.
The commissioners will endcavor, with
out interference with the military authorl-
ties of the United States now in control
of the Philippines, to ascertain what
amelioration in the condition OF the inhab-
itants and what improvements in PUBIC
order may be practicable, and for this pur-
pose they will study attentively the ex-
listing social and political state of the vari-
Gus populations, particularly as regards
the form of local government, the admins
tratiOn of justice, the collection of customs
and other taxes, the means OF tranSpora-
tion and the need of public Improvements.
They will report through the state de-
partment, according to the forms custom
airy or hereafter prescribed for transmit
ting and preserving such communications,
the results of their observations and re-
fectious and will recommend such eXecu-
to them wise and useful.
The commissioners are hereby author
lied to confer authoritatively with any per-
sons resident in the islands from whom
they may believe themselves able to de-
rive 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 pur-
pose.
THE temporary government of the is
lands is intruSted to the military authori-
ties and will continue until congress shall
determine otherwise. The commission may
render valuable services by examining with
special care the legislative needs of the
various groups of inhabitants and by re-
porting, with recomm endations, 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
present administration or as suggestions
for future legislation.
In so far a immediate personal changes
in the civil administration may seem to be
advisable the commissioners are empow-
cred to recommend suitable persons for
apDointment TO these offices from among
the inhabitants of the islands who have
previously acknowledged their allegiance
to this government.
at is my desire that in all their relations
with the inhabitants of the islands the
commissioners exercise due respect for all
the ideals, customs and institutions of the
tribes and races which compose the pop
ulation, emphasizing upon all occasions the
Just and benefcent intentions of the gov
eEnment of the United States"