The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-06

the rising. which was actually attempt
ed on the night Of February 20, week
later than was originally contemplated.
Considerable numbers of armed insur-
gents entered the city by waterways
and swamDs and In concert with con-
federates inside attempted to destroy
Manila by fire. They were kept in
check during the night and the next
day driven out Of the city with heavy
loss.
This was the unhappy condition of
affairs which confronted our commits
sioners on their arrival in Manila. They
had come with the hope and intention
of cooperating with Admiral Dewey
and Major General Otis in establishing
peace and order In the archipelago and
the largest measure of self-government
compatible with the true welfare of
the people. What they actually found
can est be set forth in their own
words:
War Unavoidable.
"Deplorable as war is. the one In
avoidable by U.S. We were attacked by
a bold, adventurous and enthusiastic
army, No alternative was left to us
except ignominious retreat.
1T is not to be conceived Of that
any American would have sanctioned
the surrender of Manila to the insur-
gents. Our obligations to other ma
tions and to the friendly Filipinos and
to ourselves and our flag demanded
that force should be met by force.
Whatever the future of the Philippines
may be, there Is no course open to us
now except the prosecution of the war
until the insurgents are reduced to
submission. The commission Is of the
opinion that there has been no time
% u.
squadron by Admiral Dewey when it
was possible to withdraw our forces
from the islands either with honor to
ourselves or with safety to the inhabl-
tants."
Rebellion Must Be Crushed.
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued. The re-
bellion must be put down. Civil gov
ernment cannot be thoroughly estab.
lished until order is restored. With a
devotion and gallantry worthy of it's
most brilliant history, the army, ably
and Loyalty assisted by the navy, has
carried on this unwecome but most
righteous campaign with richly de-
served success. The noble self-sacri-
flee with which our soldiers and sailors,
whose terms of service had expired,
refused to avail themselves of their
right to return home; as long as they
were needed at the front being the
brightest pages in our annals. AL
though their operations have been
somewhat interrupted and checked by
rainy season of unusual violence and
duration, they have gained ground
steadily in every direction, and now
look forward confidently to a speedy
completion of their task.
Island of Negros.
The unfavorabe circumstances con-
nected with an active campaign have
not been permitted to interfere with
the equally important work of recon-
struction. Again / invite your atten-
tion to the report of the commission
ers for the interesting and encourag
ing details of the work already accom-
plished in the establishment OF peace
and order and the Inauguration of self
governing municipal life in many por-
tions of the archipelago. A notable
beginning has been made in the estab-
| lishment of government in the island
of Negros, which Is deserving of special
consideration, This was the first island
to accept American sovereignty. Its
people Unreservedly proclaimed allie
glance to the United States and adopt
ed a constitution looking to the estab-
lishment of popular government. 1t
was impossible to guarantee to the peo-
PIC VI 4NtBIOS lHdl luc So
adopted should be the ultimate form
of government. Such a question. un-
der the treaty with Spain and in ac-
cordance with our own constitution and
laws, came exclusively within the jur-
isdiCtion of the congress. The govern
ment actually set up by the inhabi-
tants of NegrOs eventually proved un-
satisfactory to the natives themselves.
a new system was put into force by
order M nd
ing the department, of which the fol-
lowing are the most important ele-
ments:
1t was ordered that the government
of the Island of Negros should consist
of military governor appointed by
the United States military governor of
the Philippines, and a civil governor
and an advisory council elected by the
people. The military governor was
authorized to appoint secretaries of
the treasury, interior, agriculture, pub
lie instruction, an attorney general and
an auditor. The seat of government
was fixed at Bacalor. The military
governor exercises the supreme execu-
tive power. He is to see that the laws
are executed, appoint to Office and fill
all vacancies in office not otherwise
provided for, and may, with the ap-
proval of the military governor of the
Philippines, remove any officer from
office. The civil governor advises the
military governor on all public civil
questions and presides over the advis-
ory council. He, in general performs
the duties whi ~ are performed by sec
retaries of state in our own system of
government.
The advisory council consists of eight
members elected by the people within
territorial limits which are defined in
the order of the commanding general.
As to Elections.
The times and places of holding eleo-
tions are to he fixed by the military
governor Of the island of Negros. The
qualifications of voters as follows:
l. voter must be male citizen IF
the island of Negros.
2. OF the age of p years.
3. He shall be able TO sneak. real
ard write the English, Spanish or Wis
ayan language. OF he must own real
property worth $500 or nav a rental
on real property of the value of 81, 900.
4. He must have resided in the ISL
and not less than one year preceding.
and in the district in which he offers
u register as a voter not less than
three months preceding the time he Of
fers to register.
8. lie must register at q time fixed
by law before voting.
g. Prior 70 such registration he shall
have paid all taxes due by him 10
the government. Provided, that no in.
sane person shall be allowed to regis
ter or vote.
Burden of Government.
The military governor has the right
10 veto all bills or resolutions adopted
by the advisory council. and his vote
is final If not disapproved by the mill
tary governor OF the Philippines.
The advisory council discharges all
the ordinary duties of q legislature.