Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-10
LEGISLATION N l|)l |!
The Civil Commission lnaugurates
Legislative system in the
Philippine Islands.
A Number of New Laws Which
Will Start Vast Improve.
ments Made.
The Filipinos Allowed to Have a
Voice in Framing the
Laws.

j =
mission, Judge Taft presiding, today in
lugurated the application. under civil
administration, of the principles of
American fairness and honesty to Phil 4
ppine affairs. In public session the
commission introduced, discussed and
made law four bills appropriating to
the needs of these islands a total OF 81
Ole, 1850. Mexican currency of the six
millions surplus of Mexican currency
turned over by the army to the CONS
mission Sept. and now in the insular
department,
The session opened at 10 o clock, al
five member $ of the coiliflsi ssaon being
present Mr.A w. Ferguson acted as
secretary and translator. and Mr.. ". L.
Peppsrman as recorder. The first bill
was introduced by Gen. Wright. " ap-
propeiated $1,000, uGe tA1exican) from The
insular treasury for the construction
and repair, under the supervision OF
Gen. MacArthur. of highways and
bridges turnout the islands The full
text of the bib fotioMs:
...I5y authority OF the president of the
United states, be it enacted by the Unit
ed state Philippine commission mat.
Section l.'rlis SIM Of two million dol
lars .oee.eae) Mexican, il hereby APP
propriatsd OUT Of any money IN the IN
sular Treasury. not oti.elSts.s appropti-s
atess. 10 be e:spsaltssd in the immediate
consttuetieil arr repair OF highways
and bridges ii the fh5lippiise stands.
Sec. :. The suns So appropriated
OF the military seveino, in the coz
structissl and 81 pair If sueil highways
and bridges sss,5 IN l.is, Judgment may b.
most voaaueiSe q the public Welfare,
Sec. 8. ~ ;i,s'uiai tfegslltr IS here
bs authorized and directed 10 pay the
warrants OF the military governor Tor
the gum So appropriated.
Sec. 4. This aci shall take effect on
its pas'sa
& Outside Of the REPRESENTATIVES, of the
press and acouple OF army officers there
Were but three Fiilpinoa in the room
Judge Taft had publicly announced that
discussion of all bills would be allowed.
and District Attorney Torres vas the
fret Filipino to claim this privilege be-
fore the commission. Senor Torres
made clear the fact that he did not come
to attack the bill. but TO praise ii, and
he complimented the commission ON its
PRONUNCIATION. declaring it provided for
what the people, and particularly the
agriculturists most needed. Senior
Torres then went on to say that un-
der the Spanish regime public moneys
had often been nlisspent, and he OUT
lined the system of Spanish proceed
y ings in public improvements which made
& such INSTRUMENTATION possible. He
asked the commission for information
8 as to how, the provisions of this bill
We're to be carried out, as he was fear
full that unless carefully watched, un-
scrupulous contractors would find OPP
pertunity TO divert this two millions OF
the peoples money from bringing to tbs
i people the greatest amountsof good.
For the benefit of Senior Torres am
the people at large. Gen. Wright ex-
planned that the actual work of con-
struction of tiie road and bridges wa.
to be done under tlle supervision of Gen
Macarthur, Who remains the exscutiv,
head of the ainsula., goserannnt until pa.
citication is thoroughly accomplished, a
which time the civil government vii
complete the work of road building
Gen. Wright further pointed out tina
the CONSTRUCTION Of these roads Woult
furnish employment TO "a large numbe
of worthy people Who needed the Worl
on account Of reverses suffered durin;
Z the insurrection. and that the buildin;
of highways was as necessary for tn
government as for the people them
selves
Judge Taft then addressed the com
mission and Senior Torres in the follow
Ing words:
We assume that the personal char
acter and equipment Of the preser
military governor is a sufficient qua,
antee that the work Will be don
quickly and economically. Natural
rhe immediate departments of the wor
will be under he supervision Of til
corps of engineers. who are paid frol
the treasury of the United States TIL
chief engineer. Capt. Biddle, is "a grac
uate Of merit Of West Point Academ
and a man of the highest attainment
and personal cha racter. Senior Tore
and the public at large may rest as
sured that there will not be a repet
ton of past occurrences under Ii
Spanish regime.
We are. aware that unless the la
tF properly carried ont il is a failur
The laws of the Spanish government
so far as / have Inspected them. a,
all right. the defect has been IN n,
carrying them out We hope in thi
our first bill. 10 present an object lie:
son to the Filipinos and convince the
that we have intelligence sufficient
enact wise laws and see that th-y al
enforced.
1T is not to be Inferred continue
Judge Taft, that ali bills are to be a,
ministered as is this one. The create
need of these Islands today is pacific,
ton and nothing contributes SO mu.
to policing and the CELEBRITY of nov
ments of the police as good roads, al
roads constructed for That purpose Il!
help to improve the commercial int
ests of the country.
This appropriation is in the natu
of an emergency appropriation and II
necessity for its immediate appropri
fion is the true ground for its expend
ture. The military governor is at II
head of the military machine. He hi
under his control 65,0W men paid fro
the United States treasurey. and TIL,
are widely scattered turnout the j
lands. He can call TO his assistance
fine body Of engineers as can be fou,
In the world. This liz why this bill
framed to give the military govern
discretionary power to.spend the mon
appropriat ted.