The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-07
GOVERNMENT In
Isle OF NEGROS
Gen. Smith Administers Oath of
Office to Natives.
ELECTIONS ON OCTOBER 2
Future of the Little Country as Bright
as That of Japan-Political Pris-
oners Will Be Realeased
in Commemoration
ELECTIONS ON OCTOBER 2

Manila, November 6.-1:15 p. NAT Ba-
colad, in the island of Negros, the first
tonomous government of the Fillpinos was
established today. General Smith, COVER
nor of the island of Negros, administered
the oath of office to the judge of the SUI
preme court, who in turn swore in the gov
ernor, three judges. twelve councilmen, the
auditor and the secretary of the interior.
TIL natives of the entire island attended
the ceremony. The officers from Iloilo were
also present. Three days feasting will fol-
low, in celebration of the new government,
and the first anniversary of the surrender
of the Spaniards to the Negros revolution
lists, ending with ball in the government
house tonight. American flags are display
Ell In the village. The celebration consisted
of horse playing and other sports, music,
religious functions and an illumination.
The ball tonight attracted the wives of
the wealthy planters and there was great
display of rich costumes and costly jewels,
as would be seen at a similar affair in
America or Europe.
Elections were held October g. the num-
Der of votes cast being 5,24S. There We're
forty candidates for the various offices.
Meleco Gaime received 1921 votes. Suf-
frage was determined by property values
and other qualifications. Colonel Mines
welcomed the officers, on behalf of the
United States. In the course of his re-
marks he said:
"Negros leads In the van of civil govern
Ment in the Philippines. Your honor lies
in adding a new start to freedoms flag"
General Smith, during a speech which he
delivered said
"Your future promises as brightly as ia
pans, 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 Negros was the
continuance of close relations with the
United States.
General Smith then announced the grant
ing of freedom to the political prisoners in
commemoration of the event.
General Hughes, In command at Iloilo,
rendered a congratulatory speech over the
eastern cable from that place.
General Smith in an interview remarked
that it was of the utmost importance that
the Filipinos should be taught to recognize
the sovereignty of the United States. 1.-THE
gravest danger" he added, threatening a
pedCeIul administration is intrigue among
the insular politicians and he declared
that the United States must for years keep
control of the Filipinos in order to prevent
such conditions from existing.
The members of the Sixth infantry, which
is divided into thirty garrisons throughout
the island of Negros, are undergoing great
hardships.
A recently organized revolutionary move
ment has been discovered in Northern Ne
gros, and the leaders have been forced to
withdraw from Panay. A number of BAN
dts, under the leadership of Papa Isio.
religious charlatan have been driven into
the mountains, but it Is expected that they
will give more trouble. A force of $50 ma
tive soldiers armed with Springfield rifles
are helping the Americans, and are found
to be valuable as scouts.
General Lawton's operations have been
temporarily suspended owing to heavy
rains. The country around Cabanatuan is
flooded. The river, however, has begun
falling rapidly, and probably the country in
that section will soon resume it's normal
condition.