The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-07
NEGROS STARTS.
Makes a Beginning In the Way
of Self Government.
Regularly Elected Officers Are
Installed.
INAUGURATION ID A Z
Is Celebrated With Religious
Rites and Horse Racing.
INAUGURATION DAY
A Grand Ball Is Given In the
Evening.

Manila, Nov. AT Bacolod, in the
island of Negros. the autonomous gov
eminent of the FiIipinos was establish
ed yesterday. Gen. Smith. governor of
the island of Negroes, administered the
oath of Office to the judge of the su-
preme court, who in turn swore in the
governor. three judges, II councilmen,
the auditor and the secretary of the in
terror. The natives of the entire island
attended the ceremony. The officers
from Iloilo, were also present. Three
days feasting will follow. in celebration
of the new government and the first an
niversary of the surrender of the Span
iards to the Negroes reVOlutionists,
ending with a ball in the government
house. American flags are displayed
in the village. The celebration consist
ed of horse racing and other sports,
music, religious functions and an il
Elimination. The ball attracted the
wives of the wealthy planters, and
there was a. great display of rich cos
tunes and costly jewels, such as would
be seen at a similar affair in America
or Europe.
Elections were held October 2, the
number of votes cast being 5,24S. There
fees.
MeIectio Reverino was elected gov
ernor, receiving 1850 votes. Senior
Gaime received 1277 votes Suffrage
was determine by property qualifica
ton and ability to read and write.
Col. Miner welcomed the officials on
behalf of the United States. In the
course of his remarks he said:
''NegrOS leads in the van of civil
government in the Philippines. Your
honor lies in adding a new star to Free
dOm's flag
Gen. Smith, during a speech which he
delivered, said:
your future promises as brightly as
Japan's, who today is recognized as
among the civilized nations of the
world"
Senior Reverino, in replying said that
the best thing for the future of Negroes
was the continuance of close relations
with the United States.
Gen. Smith then announced the grant
ing of freedom to the political prisoners
in cOmmemOratiOn of the event.
Gen. Hughes, IN command at IIO1IO,
rendered a congratu1atOry speech over
the eastern cable from that place
Gen. Smith, in an interview remark
ed that it was of the utmost import
ance that the FiliDinOs should be
taught to recognize the sovereignty of
the United States.
The greatest danger he added
Threatening a peaceful administration
is intrigue among the insular polite
ians," and he declared that the United
States government must for years keep
control of the Philippines in order to
prevent such conditions from existing.
The members of the Sixth infantry,
which is divided into three garrisons
throughout the island of Negroes, are
undergoing great hardships
A recently organized revolution has
been discovered in northern NegrOs and
the leaders have been forced to with
draw to Panay. A number of bandits.
under the leadership of Paoa Isio, d
religious charlatan. have been driven
into the mountains, but it is expected
that they will give more trouble. A
force of $50 native soldiers, armed with
Springfield rifles. are helping the Amer
leans and are found to be valuable as
scouts.
Gen. Lawton's operations have been
temporarily suspended owing to heavy
rains. The country around Cabana-
tuan is flooded. The river. however, has
begun falling rapidly and probably the
country in that section will soon re-
sumo its normal condition.