Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-05

by waterways and swamps and, In con-
cert With confederates inside, attempted
10 destroy Manila by FIRE. They were
Kept In check during the night and the
next day driven out OF the city with
heavy loss
| COMMISSION REACH MANILA.
This was the unhappy condition OF az
fairs 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
best be set forth in their own words:
"Deplorable as war is. the one in
which We are now engaged was UNI
avoldable by us. We were attacked by
q bold, adventurous and enthusiastic
army. No alternative was left 10 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
tons and 10 the friendly Filiphos 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 70 US
now except the prosecution Of the war
until the Insurgents are reduced 20 sub
| mission. The commission is Of the oDin-
| ion that there has been no time since
the destruction OF the Spanish squad
ron by Admiral Dewey when It was
possible to withdraw our forces from
the Islands either with honor TO our
selves or with safety 10 the inhabl-
tants."
DOWN WITH REBELLION.
The course thus clearly indicated has
been unillnchingly pursued. The rebel
lion must be put down. Civil govern
ment cannot be thoroughly established
until order is restored.
With devotion and gallantry worthy
OF its most brilliant history, the army
ably and Loyalty assisted by the navy.
has carried on this unwelcOme but most
righteous campaign. which richly de-
serves success. The noble self-sacri-
hce with which soldiers and sail
ors whose terms Of service had eX-
pred, refused to avail themselves Of
their right to return home as long as
they were needed at the front,
forms one Of the brightest pages in our
annals Although 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 confidentally 10 a
speedy completion OF their task
The unfavorable circumstances con-
nected with this active campaign have
not been permitted TO interfere with the
equally important work Of re-construc-
ton. Again | invite your attention to
the report Of the commissioners for the
interesting and encouraging details Of
the work already accomplished In the
establishment Of peace and order and
the Inauguration Of self-governing mu-
nicipal life In many portions Of the ar
chipeago.
INAUGURATING SELF GOVERN
MENT.
A notable beginning has been made
In the establishment Of government
in the isalnd Of Negros, which is de-
serving Of special consideration. This
was the first island to accept Ameri-
can sovereignty. Its people unreserv-
edly proclaimed allegiance to the
United States, and adopted a constltu-
ton looking TO the establishment Of a
popular government
JURISDICTION OF CONGRESS.
II was impossible to guarantee TO the
people Of Negros that the constitution
so adopted should be the ultimate form
OF government. Such a question under
the treaty with Spain and in accord
ancc with our own Constitution and
laws, came exclusively under the juris-
diction Of Congress. The government
actually set up by the inhabitants Of
Negros eventually proved unsatlsfac-
tory 10 the natives themselves. A new
system was put into force by order OF
the maJorgeneral commanding the de-
pariment. Of which the following are
the most important elements
MILITARY GOVERNOR FOR Ne
eros.
II 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 peo-
pie, The military governor was author |
lied 10 appoint secretaries Of the treas
ury, Interior. agriculture, public in |
struction, an attorney general and au- |
dltor 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 |
offices, and MI all vacancies in office /
not otherwise provided for, and may. /
with the approval Of the military COVER
nor Of the Philippines. remove any OH
Ger from Office.
The civil governor advises the mill
tary governor on all public and civil |
questions and presides over the adys-
Dry council He, In general, performs
the duties which 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.
ELECTIONS BY FILIPINos,
The times and places OF holding cleo
lions are to be fixed by the military
governor OF the island Of Negros. The
qualifications OF voters are as follows;
Q)-A voter must be male citizen Of
the island Of Negros.
(2)-Of the age Of n years.
Ole shall be able 10 speak, read
and write the English, Spanish or Wis
ayan language. or he must own real
worth $500, or pay rental on
real property Of the value Of $1,000.
Ollie must have resided In the ISL
and not less than one year preceding
and In the district In which he offers 10
register as a voter not less than three
months Immediately preceding the time
he offers TO register.
(5)-He must register at time fixed
by law before voting,
(6)-Prlor 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.
LEGISLATIVE POWERS.
The military governor has the right 10
ieto all bills or resolutions adopted by
he advisory council. and his veto Is
iual IN unf diga uprOVgd hV fhe military |