Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-12-14


ernment was fixed at Bacolod. The military
governor exercises the supreme executive
cuted appoint to ofrice, and fill all vacancies in
| oflice not otherwise provided for, and may.
| with the approval of the military governor of
| the Philippines remove any officer from office.
| The civil governor advises the military COVER
| nor on all public civil questions and presides
| over the advisory council. He in general per-
! forms the duties which are performed by sec
retaries of state in our own system of govern
| ment.
The advisory council consists Of eight mem
| bers elected by the people within territorial
limits which are defined in the order of the
| commanding general
| The times and places OF holding elections are
to be fixed by the military governor OF the
island OF Negros. This qualifications OF voters
are as follows
IA voter must be male citizen of the
| island of Negros.
| 2-Of the age OF II years
| 3-IIe shall be able to speak, read and write
| the English, Spanish or Visayan language, or
he must own real property worth $40, or pay
4.-He must have resided in the island not
less than one year preceding, and in the dis
triCt in which he offers to register as voter
not less than three months Immediately pre-
ceding the time he offers to register
5-He must register at time fixed by law
| before voting.
6-Prior TO such registration he shall have
paid all taxes due by him to the government.
Provided, that no insane person shall be
allowed to register or vote.
The military governor has the right to veto
| all bills or resolutions adopted by the advisory
council and his veto is final If not diSapproyed
| by the military governor of the Philippines.
The advisory council discharges all the ordi-
nary duties OF "a legislature. The usual duties
pertaining to said offices are to be performed
| by the secretaries of the treasury, interior,
agriculture public instruction. the attorney
general and the auditor.
The judicial power is vested in three judges
who are to be appointed by the military gov
ernor OF the island. Inferior courts are to be
established.
Free public schools are to be established
| throughout the populouS districts of the ISL
and, in which the English language shall be
taught. and this subject will receive the care
| full consideration of the advisory council
The burden of government must be dis
tributed equally and equitably among the
people. The military authorities will collect
| and receive the customs revenue. and Will con-
troll postal matters and Philippine inter-island
trade and commerce.
proval of the military governor of the Philip
pines, determines all questions not spec ideally
provided for and which do not come under the
jurisdiction of the advisory council
The authorities Of the Suu islands have ac-
cepted the succession of the United states to
the rights Of Spain, and our nag hoats over
that territory. On August 10, 1899, Brig. Gen
Bates negotiated an agreement with the sui
tan and his principal ch efs, which transmit
herewith. BY Article | the sovereignty OF SE e
United States over the whole archipela % and
| it's dependencics is declared and ackno wledged
The United States flag will be used in the
archipelago and its dependencies on land
and sea. Piracy is to be suppressed and the
sultan agrees to cooperate heartily with the
United States authorities to that end and to
, make every possible effort to arrest and bring
| to Justice all persons engaged In piracy All
trade in domestic productions of the archipcl-
ago when carried on with any part of the Phil
[ ippne islands and under the American flag
shall be free, unlimited and undutiable
Article Y provides that any slave in the
archipelago shall have the right to purchase
freedom by paying to the master the usual
market value. The agreement by Gen. Bates
was made subject to confirmation by the prcSi-
dent and to future notifications by the con-
sent of the parties in interest | have con-
firmed said agreement, subject to the action of
congress, and with the reservation, which l
, | have directed shall be communicated to the
sultan, that this agreement is not to be
deemed in any way to authorize or give the
consent OF the United States to the existence
OF slavery in the Sulu archipelago commu-
ntcate these facts to congress for its lnforma-
, tion and action.
} Everything indicates that with the speedy
: suppression of the Tagalo rebellion life in the
: arch pelago will soon resume its ordinary
, course under the protection OF our overeignty
, and the people of those favored islands will
enjoy prosperity and a freedom which they
have never before known Already hundreds
of schools are open and filled with children.
Religious freedom is sacredy assured and en-
r joyed. The courts are dispensing justice.
; Business is beginning to circulate in its accus-
toned channels. Manila. whose inhabitants
= we're fleeing to the country few months ago
: is now populouS and thriving mart of COM
merce. The earnest endeavorS of the commits
: sion and the admiral and major general com
l manding the Department of the Pacific to AS
, sure the people OF the bcnefcent intentions OF
this government have had their legitimate
[ effect in convincing the great mass of them
' that peace and safety and prosperity and
r stable government can only be found in Il loyal
acceptance OF the authority OF the United
; States
The future government of the Philippines
g rests with the congress of the United States.
t Few gravcr responsibilities have ever been
3 confded to us. If we accept tn IN in a spirit
. worthy OF our race and our traditions great
5 opportunity comes with tlem. The Islands lie
r under the shelter of our flag. They are ours
) by every title of law and equity. They cannot
9 be abandoned. II we desert them we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to barbar-
r ism We fling them, golden apple of discord
/ COlIU
permit another to seize them unqucstioned
( Their rich plains and valleys would be the
scene of endless strife and blOOdShCd. The
advent of Dcwey'S fieei in Manila bay instead
of being, as we hope. the dawn of Il new day
Of freedom and progress, Will have been the
beginning of era of misery and violence
Y worse than any which has darkened their un-
happy past
$ The suggestion has been made that we could
r renouncc our authority over the islands and
e giving them independence. could retain a pro-
lcctorate over them This proposition Will not
be found. ! am sure, worthy OF your serious
G attention. Such an arrangement would in
Volvc al the outset Il cruel breach of faith. 1t
t would place the peaceable and loyal majority,
n who ask nothing better than to accept our
authority, at the mercy of the miuoTity of
, arrEed inSurrcnts. 1t would make us reSpon-
2 Sibc for the acts of the inSurgent leaders and
: give US no power to control them. 1t would
, charge us with the task of protecting them
against each other and defendin" them against
: any foreign power with which they chose to
( quarrel. In short, IL would take from the
. congress of the United States the power of
/ declaring war and vest that tremendous
g prcrOgHtivc IN the IaSalo leader OF the hour.
e Ii does not seem desirable that / should
recommend at this time specific and nnal
form of government for these Islands. When
peace shall lie restored il would be the duty
n ot congress to construct Il plan of government
= which shall establish and maintain freedO F
/ and order and peace in the Philippines. The
r insurrection IS still existing, and when it ter
inmates further Information will be required as
to the actual condition of affairs tefore inaug-
urating permanent scheme OF civil govern
ment The full report of the commission, now
in preparation, will contain information and
!. suggestions which will be Of value to congress,
5 and which Will transmit as soon as ii is com
d pleted. As long the i Surrection continues
/ the military arm must necessarily he
d supreme. But there is reason
h why steps should not be taken
G from time to time to inaugurate governments
+ essentially popular in their form as fast as
C territory is held and controlled by troops.
t To this end / am considering the advisablity
= OF the return of the commission. or such of the
d members thereof as can be secured. to aid the
G | existing authorities and facilitate this work
Y throughout the islands. ] have believed that
: reconstruction should not begin by the eStab-
,,,-