The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-11-13
F)R HIGHWAYS AND
BRIDGES IN LUzON
And d Railroad Leading Into
Benguet Province.
cOMMISSION AT WORK
nils Are Passed Making Appropria-
items For These Purposes.
nrFEE, COAL AND GOLD IN BENGUET
gstsr Highways and Good Bridges viii Facili-
tate Mere Rapid Movements Of American
Troops as Well as The People
in the Philippines.
. Of the Associated Press.)

Cor. Of the Associated Press.O
Manila. T. l.. September 12.-The Civil
commission. Judge Taft presiding, TODAY
irauEurated the application, under civil
administration, of the principles of Amer
;a91 fairness and honesty to Philippine
affair. In public session the Commits
sion introduced, discussed and made law
foIr bills appropriating to the needs of
these islands a total of 50, 01O. 435. 90, Mex
lean currency. of the six millions surplus
cf Mexican currency turned over by the
army 10 the Commission September /,
and now in the insular treasury.
Nodestly and without ostentation, with
lignity. Common-sense and that American
democracy and directness which pleases
all men whenever and wherever it is
found. the five members of the Civil
Commission undertook their first public
legislative action this morning. When
their methods and their attitude at this
2ublic session become generally known
and are discussed and digested by the
Filipino people, they cannot fail to be
pleased Herewith. The Commission has
shown a consideration of the wants and
the rights of these same people; there
was no Glouding of official action in mys-
tery and secrecy: the work of the new
legislative power was honest, earnest
and open and showed a sure intent to dc
we'll by their wards. Successful legisla-
ton for the Philippine people Imperative
" requires two conditions-the first is
what TO do, the second is how to do
il. and ii is believed the second is fully
r. important as the first. The Filipinos
are sensitive as to the way in which
they are handled; any legislative meas
ure. excellent in itself. loses one-half
OF its efficacy if not promulgated and
administered in the right way. Just what
this right way may be in it's details peo-
pie here do not yet know; but today's
session showed clearly one valuable
thing, namely. that the Commission has
begun operations in the right way.
The session opened at ten o'clock, all
FIVE members of the Commission being
present. Mr.. \. W. Ferguson acted as
secretary and translator. and Mr.. w. l..
Pepperman as recorder. The first bill
was introduced by General Wright. 1t
appropriated two millions. Mexican. from
the insular treasury for the construction
and repair. under the supervision of Gen
e-al MacArthur, of highways and bridges
throughout the stands. The full text Of
the bill follows:
BY authority of the President OF the
United States. be it enacted by the United
States Philippine Commission, that,
Section /. The sum of two million
dollars 80. 000. 00O), Mexican, is hereby
appropriated out of any money in the in
sUlaT treasury, not otherwise approprl-
a,ed. 10 be expended in the immediate
construction and repair of highways and
bridges in the Philippine Islands.
Section .. The sum so appropriated
shall be expended under the direction o.
the Military Governor in the construction
and repair of such highways and bridges
as in his judgment nay be most condu-
Give 10 the public welfare.
Section 3. The insular treasurer is
hereby authorized and directed to pay
he w2rrants of the Military Governor
for the sum so appropriated
Section 4. This act shall take effect
on i1s passage"
outside Of the representatives or the
press and 2 couple Of army officers there
We're but three Fiipinos in the room.
Judge Taft had publicly announced that
discussion Of ell bills would be allowed,
and Dis rict Attorney Torres was the
first Filipino to claim this privilege be-
lore the Commission. Senior Torres made
clear the fact that he did not come to
attack the bill but to praise it, and ne
e'Iapi.mented the Commission on It's pro
mitigation. declaring it provided for what
NE people, and particularly the agricul-
Wallsts. most needed. Senor Torres
men vent on to say that under the Span
H' regime public moneys had often peen
-~|5'lent. and he outlined the system oi
Spanish proceedings in public improve
"tAi5 which made such mal-admlnlstra-
ION possible. He asked the Commission
'- -Elormation as to how the provisions
IBIS Lill were to be carried out, as ne
"aa fearful that unless carefully watched
INSCRIPTIONS contractors would hnd op-
I~oFilairy 10 divert this two millions o!
me peoples money from bringing to the
N'o'-t the greatest amount OF good.
'oE the benefit of Senior Torres aho
Wv people at large General Wrlght e@-
l''+leG that the actual work OF construc-
Wi OF The roads and bridges was 10 "
y"s under the supervision OF Genera
''har, who remains the eXecutiVt
'i the insular government uh',
'.a~ alton is thoroughly accomplished
"A'h time the civil government VII
DLllf'e the work or road building. Gen
wright further pointed out ina .n'
obstruction Of these roads would fufnlof
"b0tLent 10 a large number OF worthy
| MO needed the work on, accouh
'''r"e& ruffered during the lnsurre'
"' ana that the building OF highway
a1 necessary for the government d.
'a" leople themselves.
-. Taft then addressed the Comhio
and Senior Torres in the follo"lhI
' assume that the persona charac
''H Equipment of the present Mill
H. ''FCrnor is a sufficient g~uafahte
."' work will be done quickly an
''hIratly. Naturally. the immedIat
~ "rnta of the work will be uhde
Nh supervision of the corps OF engineers
H. orc paid from the treasury OF u
,,. states. The chief engineer. zap
" ''ldle. is 4 graduate Of merit 9
lc, 'oint Academy. and a man OF IN
-- .--aInLncnt. and uerSnual chaI