The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-12-13

annum, she would be deemed TO be WITHOUT
other means of support than her daily Ia
Dor, and would be entitled to a pension
under this act; while II the widows in
come independent of the amount received
by her the result of her daily labor
exceeds $50. she would not be penstonable
under the act. I am advised by the COM
missioner of pensions that the amount of
the income allowed before title to pension
would be barred has varied widely under
diherent administrations OF the pension
office, as we'll as during different periods
of the same administration. and has been
the cause of Just complaint and criticism.
With the approval of the secretary of
the Interior the commissioners of pensions
recommends that, in order to make the
practice at all times uniform and to do
Justice to the dependent widow, the
amount of income allowed independent OF
the proceeds of her daily labor should not
be less than $3.50 per annum. and he urges
that the congress shall so amend the
act as to permit the pension office to grant
pensionable status to widows under the
terms of the third section of the act OF
June 27, 1890, whose income aside from
the proceeds of daily labor Is not in eX-
cess of $3.50 per anpum. believe this to
be simple act of Justice and heartily
recommend 1t.
The next census. Pacific railways, pres
ervatlon of forests and the agricultural In
teHests of the country are discussed, and
then the president deals with the Philip
pine question. He reviews the cedinE OF
the islands to the United states by Spain
and says that no opportunity was lost to
assure the people of the Islands of our de-
sire for their welfare. Events are re-
Viewed which led up to outbreak, quo
tatlons being made from the report of the
Philippine commission.
THE PHILIPPINES.
The unfavorable circumstances connect
ed with an active campaign have not been
permitted to interfere with the equally
important work of reconstruction. Again 1
invite your attention to the report of the
commissioners for the interesting and en-
couraging details of the work already ac-
complished in the establishment of peace
and order and the inauguration of self-gov
erning municipal life in many portions of
the archipelago. notable beginning has
been made in the establishment of a gov
ernment in the island of Negros, which
is deserving of special consideration. This
was the first island to accept American
sovereignty. Its people unreservedly pro-
claimed allegiance to the United States
and adopted n constitution looking to the
establishment of a popular government.
people of Negros that the con-
stitution so adopted should be the ultl-
mate form of government. Such ques-
tion, under the treaty with Spain and In
accordance with our own constitution and
laws, came exclusively within the juris
dlction of the congress. The government
actually Get up by the Inhabitants of Me-
gros eventually proved unsatisfactory to
was put into force by order OF the major
general commanding the department, of
which the following are the most impor-
tant clements:
the island of Negroes should consist of n
military governor appointed by the United
States military governor of the Philip
pines and n civil governor and an advisory
council elected by the people. The mill
tary governor was authorized to appoint
secretaries of the treasury, interior. agri-
culture. public instruction. an attorney
general, and an auditor. The seat of gov
ernment was fixed at Bacolod The mill
tary governor exercises the supreme ex-
ecutive power. He is to see that the laws
are executed. appoint to office, and fill all
vacancies in office not otherwise provided
military governor of the Philippines.
move any officer from office. The civil
governor advises the military governor on
all public civil questions and presides over
the advisory council He, in general, per-
forms the duties which are performed by
secretaries of state in our own system of
government.
The advisory council consists CT eight
members elected by the people within ter
rltorlal limits which are defined in the or
der of the commanding general.
The times and places of holding cleo
tons are to be fixed by the military gov
ernor of the island of Ncgros The quail
ificatlons of voters are as follows:
% a voter must be male citizen of
the island of Negros. C2) OF the age of
81 years. (3) He shall be able to speak,
read. and write the English. Spanish. or
Visayan language, or he must own real
property worth $780, or pay n rental on
real properly of the value of $1,000. 4)
He must have resided in the island not
less than one year preceding. and in the
district in which he offers to register as
q voter not less than three months i'm
mediately preceding the time he offers to
register. (5) He must register at n time
Inv In hnfOra Voting
such registration he shall have paid all
taxes due by him to the government. Pro
Vided, that no irSane person shall be al
lowed to register Or vote.
The military governor has the right to
veto all bills resolutions adopted by
the advisory council, and his veto Is final
II not dsapproved by the military COVER
nor of the Philippines
The advisory council discharges all the
ordinary duties OF a legislature. The usual
duties pertaining to said offices are to be
performed by the secretaries OF the treas
ury, interior. agriculture. public lnstruc-
tion. the attorney general, and the audi
tor.
The judicial power is vested in three
judges. who are to be appointed by the
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 English language |
shall be taught. and this subject Will re-
ceive the careful consideration of the ad- |
Visory council.
The burden of the government must be
distributed equally and equitably among |
The people. The military authorities Will |
collect and receive the customs revenue,
and Will control postal matters and Phil
Ippine inter-island trade and commerce.
The military governor. subject to the |
approval OF the military governor of the |
determines all questions not /
specifically provided for and which do not !
come under the Jurisdiction of the ad-
VIsory council.
THE SULTAN OF sULU.
The authorities of the Sulu islands have
accepted the succession of the United /
States to the rights of Spain. and our
lag floats over that territory. On the 10th
of August 1899. Brigadier General ]. G.
Bates, United States volunteers. negotiated
an agreement with the sultan and his
chiefs, which / transmit here
with. BY Article the sovereignty of the
United states over the whole archipelago
of Jolo and its dependencies Is declared