The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03


study of their capabilities and observa-
tions Of the working Of native control
show to be consistent with the maInten-
ance of lazV, order and loyalty.
The next subject in order of Importance
should be the organization OF government
in the larger administrative divisions cor
responding to counties, departments or
provinces, in which the common interests
of many or several municipalities falling
within the same tribal lines, or the same
natural geographical limits, may best be
subserved by a common administra ton
Whenever the commission is of the opin-
ion that the condition of affairs in the IS
lands is such that the central administra-
ton may safely be transferred from mill
tary to civil control they Will report the
conclusion to you with their recommend
atoms as to the form of central govern
ment to be esta blished for the purpose Of
taking over the control.
Beginning with the first day of Septem-
Der, 1900, the authority. to exercise, sub
ject to my approval, through the secre-
tary of war that part Of the power Of
government In the Philippine ISLANDS
which is of a legislative nature is to be
transferred from the military governor
of the Islands to this commission, TO be
thereafter exercised by them in the place
and stead of the military governor, I'M
der such rules and regulations as you
shall prescribe. until the establishment of
the civil central government for the IS
lands contemplated in the last foregoing
para graph or until congress shall other
wise provide Exercise of this legislative
authority will include the making of rules
and orders, having the effect of law, for
the raising of revenue by taxes, customs
duties and inposts: the approximation and
expenditure of public funds of the islands;
the establishment of an educational sys-
tenn throughout the islands; the establish
ment of a system to secure an efficient
civil service; the organization and estab-
ishment of courts; the organization and
mental government, and all other matters
of a civil nature for which the military
governor is now competent to provide by
rules or orders of a. legislative character.
The commission will also have power dur
ing the same period to appoint to office
tional and civil service system and in the
municipal and departmental governments
plete tranfer of control the military gov
ernor will remain the chief executive head
OF the government OF the islands, and Will
exercise the executive authority now pos
SesSed by him and not herein expressly
assigned to the commission, subject, how
ever, to the rules and orders enacted by
the commission in the exercise of the leg
lSiatlVe powers conferred upon then- IN
the meantime the municipal and depart
port to the n1ilitarv syovernor and be sub
control. under your direction, but that
SUPERVISION and control will be confined
within the narrOWeSt limits consistent
with the requirements that the powers of
government in the municipalities and de-
partments shall be honestly and effective
~ exercised and that law and order and
individual freedom shall be maintained
All legislative rules and orders, estab-
Hshments of governments and appoint
mentS to office by the commission will
they shall designate. subject to your ap-
prOval and action upon the coming in of
the commissions reports, which are to be
made from time to time as their action is
taken. Wherever civil governments are
constituted under the direction of the
commission such military posts, garrisons
and forces will be continued for the sup
preston of insurrecuon and brigandage
and the maintenance of law and order as
the military commander shall demand
requisite, and the military forces shall be
at all times subject under his orders to
the call of the civil authorities for the
maintenance of law and order and the en-
forcement of their authority.
81 T06 ant of MIN 7i0fr7
ernments the commission will take as the
basis of their work the governments es-
his order Of August s. 1899, and under the
report of the board constituted by the
81 1875 e fou 1 n ana era Tepo OF plag
OF municipal government of which his
the Audiencia, was chairman, and they
will give to the conclusions of that board
ne NSlSHI anu COHSiuSidlOu WHlCu the
high character and distinguished abilities
of its members justify.
In the constitution of departmental or
peciai att ton to the exlst ing govern
ment of the Island of Negroes. constituted
island. under the order Of the military
governor ofJuly p, 1899, and after verifying
so far as may be practicable. the re-
ports of the successful working of that
government they will be guided by the
experience thus acquired so far as If NAV
be applicable to the condition existing in
other portions of the Philippines. They
will avail themselves to the fullest degree
pines.
governments organized by the commits
sion, the presumption is always to be in
favor of the smaller subdivision, so that
al the powers which can properly be ex-
erciSed by the municipal government shall
oe vested IN tnat government, and all the
powers OF more general character which
can be exercised by the departmental gov
eminent shall be vested in that govern
system, which IS the result of the pro-
cess. the central government Of the is
iands, IolioWlng the example of the dis
tributions of the powers between the
states T-. and the national government of
administration except of matters of pure
~ general concern, and shall have only
such supervision and control over local
cure and enforce faithful and efficient
administration by local officers.
The many different degrees of civilfza-
ton and varieties of custom and capacity
among the people of the different islands
preclude very definite instruction as to the
part which the people shall take in the
selection of their own officers; but these
general rules are to be observed: That in
all cases the municipal officers who ad-
minister the local affairs of the people are
wherever officers of more extended iurfs-
diction are to be selected in any way ma
and II they can be found competent and
willing TO perform the duties thew are To
receive the Offices in preference to any
others.
1t will be necessary to fiji some offices
Tor the present with Americans. which
after time may well be filed by natives
of the islands. AS soon as practicable a
system for ascertaining the merit and fit
ness OF candidates for civil offices should
be put in force. An Indispensable quail
fication for all offices and positions of
trust and authority in the islands must
be absolute and unconditional LOYALTY TO
the United States and absolute and I'M
hampered authority and power to remove
and punish any officer deviating from that
standard must at all times be retained in
the hands of the central authority of the
islands.
In all of the forms of government and
administrative provisions which they are
author1zed to prescribe the commission
which they are establishing IS designed
not for our satisfaction, or for the express
happiness, peace and prosperity of the
people of the Philippine islands, and the
measures adopted should be made to con-
form to their customs. their habits and