The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-08

aggregate cf 1493 officers and 45, $3.50 men. |
When the troops now under orders
shall reach Manila the force in the ar
chipelago will comprise POSI- officers and
,4S3 men. The muster out of the great
volunteer army organized for the Spanish
War and the creation OF new army, the
transportation from Manila to San Fran
cisco of those entitled to discharge, and
the transportation of the new troops to take
their places have been work of great mag
nitude we'll and ably done for which too
much credit can not be given the war de-
partment.
The insular mail service is next treated,
showing how 1t has been improved by
United States postal authorities. The navy
Is praised.
PATENTS.
Our future progress and prosperity de-
pend upon our ability to equal, if not sur
pass, other nations in the enlargement and
| advance of science, industry and commerce.
To invention we must turn as one of the
most powerful aids to the accomplishments
| of such result. The attention of the con-
gress is directed to the report of the COM
| missioner of patents, in which will be
| found valuable suggestions and recon-
mendations.
PENSIONS.
On the 30th of June 1S99 the pension
| 519. These include the pensioners of the
army and navy in all our wars. The num-
| ber added to the rolls during the year was
40.991. The number dropped by reason of
death, remarriage, minors by legal limf-
tation failure to claim within three years,
and other causes, was 43, 1856, and the num-
| ber of claims disallowed was 107 ,919. Dur
| ng the year S9054 pension certificates were
| issued, of which 37,077 were for new or
| ri pi O diShnrSad
for army and navy pensions during the
year was S13S. 1855, ,052.95 which was $751;
| 461. 81 less than the sum of the appropria-
tions.
The Grand Army of the Republic at its
| recent national encampment held in Phil
| adelphia has brought to my attention and
to that of the congress the wisdom and
Justice of a modification of the third Sec
I tion of the act of June 27 1890, which pro-
vides pensions for the widows of officers
and enlisted men who served ninety days
| or more during the war of the rebellion
| and were honorably discharged, provided
| that such widows are without other means
of support than their daily labor and were
| married to the soldier, sailor or marine on
| account of whose service they claim pen
sion prior to the date of the act
The present holding of the department
is that If the widows income aside from
her daily labor does not exceed in amount
what her pension would be, towit, 500 per
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 if the widows in
come independent of the amount received
by her as the result of her daily labor
exceeds 500, she would not be pensionable
under the act. 1 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
different administrations of the pension
office, as well 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 commissioner 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 annum. l believe this to
be a simple act of justice and heartily
| recommend it.
The next census, Pacific railways, pres
, ervation of forests and the agricultural in
terests of the country are discussed, and
then the president deals with the Philip
pine question. He reviews the ceding 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 an outbreak, quo
tations 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
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-
g erning municipal life in many portions oi
g the archipelago. A notable beginning has
e been made in the establishment Of gov
T 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
q and adopted constitution looking to the
Y establishment of popular government
|
g people of Negros that the con-
r stitution so adopted should be the ulti-
mate form of government. Such a Ques-
9 tion, under the treaty with Spain and il
accordance with our own constitution AMI
laws, came exclusively within the juris
diction of the congress. The government
a actually set up by the inhabitants of Ne
Il gros eventually proved unsatisfactory tt
r the natives themselves. A new system
: was put into force by order of the majol
: general commanding the department, o
s which the following are the most impor
;. tant elements:
1 1t was ordered that the government o
d the island of Negros should consist of
o military governor appointed by the United
" States military governor of the Philip
: pines, and civil governor and an advisor.
IS council elected by the people. The mill
q tary governor was authorized to appoin
y secretaries of the treasury, interior, agri
n culture, public instruction, an attorne,
If general, and an auditor. The seat of gov
l. ernment was fixed at Bacolod The mill
,r tary governor exercises the supreme ex
l. ecutive power. He is to see that the law
l. are executed, appoint to office, and fill al
IT vacancies in office not otherwise provide
for, and may with the approval of tn
IS military governor Of the Philippines. re
? move any officer from Office The civi
l. governor advises the military governor o.
70 all public civil questions and presides owe
l. the advisory council. He, in general, per
~ forms the duties which are performed b
to secretaries of state in our own system Q
I'd government.
is The advisory council consists of eigh
l. members elected by the people within ter
Sc ritorial limits which are defined in the or
l. der of the commanding general.
lie The timer and places of holding elec
E. tions are to ne fixed by the military gov
N ernor of the island of Negros. The quail
of | ifnatinnc of untars ara aS follnMS.