Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1899-12-08

the establishment OF government In
the island OF Nesros, which y deserving
~ special confederation. This was the
frst island to accept American sovereign
Nv. It's people unreservedly proclaimed
allegiance to the United States, and
adopted a constitution looking to the es-
Establishment OF a popular government. It
was impossible to guarantee to the peO-
pie of Negros that the constitution 20
adopted should be the ultimate form Of
government Such question, under the
treaty with Spain and in accordance with
our own constitution and laws. came ex-
clusiyey under the Jurisdiction OF con-
gress The government actually set up
by the inhabitants Of Negros eventually
proved unsatisfactory to the natives them
selves. A new system was put into force
by order of the major-generaf command
ing the department OF which the fol-
lowing are the most important elements:
1t was ordered that the government Of
the island of Negroes 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 ives authorised to APP
point secretaries of the treasury. Interior.
agriculture, public instruction. an attor-
ney-general and an auditor. The seat OF
government was fixed at Bacolor. The
military governor exercises the supreme
executive power. He Is to- see that the
laws are executed, appoint to onces and
Ali all vacancies In ONCE not otherwise
provided for and may, with. the approval
OF the military governor OF the Philtp-
pines remove any officer from ONCE. The
civil governor advises the military gov
ernor on all public and civil questions
and presides over the advisory council
He. In general, performs the duties which
are performed by secretaries or state In
our own system of government The adj
tuto ~ fnhf Vran tNnr
elected bv the neople within territorial
limits. which are defined In the order OF
the commanding general.
Agreement with sultan Of Snlus.
The authorities Of the Sulu islands have
accepted the succession Of the United
States to the rights Of Spain, and our flag
floats over that territory. On the 10th
of August, 1899. Brigadier-General Bates,
United States volunteers. negotiated an
agreement with the sultan and his prin-
cipal Chiefs which I transmit herewith.
Rebellion Nearly Ended.
communicate these facts to the con-
gress for its Information and action.
Everything indicates that with the speedy
suppression of the Tagal rebellion, life In
the archipelago will soon assume Its Ord.-
nary course under the protection OF our
sovereignty. and the people OF those IA
vored islands will enjoy prosperity and
d
known. Already hundreds of schools are
open and filled with children. Religious
freedom Is sacredly assured and enjoyed.
and the courts are dispensing justice
Business Is beginning to circulate in Its
accustomed channels. Manila. whose In
habitants were fleeing to the country a
few months ago. is now a populous and
thriving mart OF commerce. The earnest
and unremitting endeavors of the COM
mission and the admiral and major-gen-
eral commanding the department of the
Pacific. to assure the people of the benefi-
cent intentions of this government, have
had their legitimate effect in convincing
the great mass OF them that peace and
safety and prosperity and stable govern
ment can only be found in a loyal accept
ance of the authority Of the United States.
The Duty Of Congress.
The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress of the Unit
ed States. Few graver responsibilities
have ever been confided to Us. If VIC
accept them in a spirit worthy of our race
and traditions, great opportunity comes
with them. The islands lie under the
shelter of our flag. They are ours by
every title Of law and equity. They can
not be abandoned. II we desert them we
leave them at once to anarchy and finally
to barbarism. We fling them, a golden
apple of discord, among the rival powers.
~ oiic oI WHICH WoulQ permit AnOtner 10
seize them unquestloned. Their rich
plains and valleys would be the scene of
endless strife and bloodshed, The advent
OF Dewey's fleet in Manila bay. instead
of being, as we hope. the dawn of a rev
day of freedom and progress. would have
been the beginning of an era of misery and
violence worse than any which has dark
ened their unhappy past.
1t does not seem desirable that I should
recommend at this time specific final
form or government for these islands
when peace shall be restored It will be the
DUTY or congress to construct a plan of
government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and order and peace in
the philippines. The Instruction is still
existing, and when 1t terminates further
| information will be required as to the
actual condition of affairs before inaugu-
rating permanent scheme of civil gov
eminent.
The full report of the commission. now
IN preparation. will contain Information
ana suggestions which will be of value TO
congress-. and which l will transmit as
soon as 1t Is COMPLETED As long an the
lnsurrection continues. the military arm
must necessarily be supreme.