New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-03

after long argument should be applied to the
Philippines. territorial government. II con-
cluoes' is desideratum. The Territorial or
ganlzauon OF Louisiana is taken as basis for
the government proposed. The act Is set forth
in full 1t provides for a governor and secretary
OF the treasury, and vests the legislative mower
in a council appointed annually by the Presi-
dent. Courts also are provided for Discussing
this scheme. the Commission says:
This scheme of government possesses. besides
its intrinsic merits, the historical interest at
taching to origination with the author Of the
Declaration Of Independence Jefferson had out
outnned nrst sketch as early November,
1903, He seems to have felt no inconerl1ity be-
tween the principles of the Declaration of indie
pendence of the thirteen self-governing colonies
ically inexperienced inhabitants of Louisiana
Indeed. he complains with some bitterness. in
December. 1903, when differences OF opinion de-
veloped as to the manner of disposing of Louisi-
ana, that although it is acknowledged that our
new fellow citizens yet incapable of
sen-government as children: yet some cannot
bring themselves to suspend its principles for
a single moment"
From the outset however the Commission be-
lieves 1t safe and desirable to extend to the
Filipinos a larger measure of self government
than Jefferson approved OF for the inhabitants
Of Louisiana assuming that in the Sulu Archi-
pelago and such portions of the other Islands as
occupied by tribes of savages the govern
ment will be conducted through the agency Of
their sultans chiefs The Commission be-
lieves that the people of the remainder of the
islands should be permitted to elect at least
members of the lower branch OF the Territorial
Legislature. and that at least half the mem
bers of the upper house should be appointed by
the President.
With such safeguards in American hands and
a qualified veto power for the Governor-Gen-
eral Gncluding the right TO suspend the law for
year even after its passage by vote of two
thirds Of the Legislature his vote) this
plan of government, which is on the lines of the
constitution prepared for the Commission by
those Fillpinos who sought to adjust the claims
of the insurgent leaders to the rights of Amer
lean sovereignty, would probably be adequate
for the purposes Of good government.
MERIT SYSTEM MUST BE ADOPTED.
This is especially true. the Commission saws
since Congress may and should retain the right
to veto Territorial legislation. Nearly all the
offices will, under this form of government be
filled by FiIip!nos themselves, and the merit
system must be adopted and lived up TO. The
patronage or spoiIs system, the Commission
says, would prove fatal 10 good government in
the Philippines. 1t is suggested that civil SER
vice board to ascertain by competitive exam
nations of a practical character the qualifica-
tions of Filipinos seeking office should be insti-
tuted. and there should be promotions for merit
and tenure during efficiency and good behavior.
The small number Of American officials needed
would include in the first group Governor, Sec
rotary, Attorney General. certain Judges and
other officials of the Territorial government, and
in the second group heads Of postal, customs
and other departments. The officers Of the first
group should be appointed by the President. and
Of the second transferred from the home ser
vice In neither case should there be eXaminav
ton. The Commission cites the case OF British
India, with area Of 1.Jou.bO square miles
and a population Of 300,0O000O, where the
ecutive and judicial work is performed by
thousand British officials TO show that only
small number of Americans would be needed
the directing brain Of the civil administra-
ton.
The Commission, while not undertaking the
difficulty of governing the Philippines, is dis
posed 10 believe the task easier than is generally
supposed. The Filipinos. il says, are of unusu-
ally promising material, possessing admirable
personal and domestic virtues. and being natu-
rally peaceful, doCile and deferentia! 10 con
stituted authority The educa ed among them.
though constituting a minority, are far more
numerous than is generally supposed, and the
Commission bears strong testimony 20 their high
These picked Filipinos would be of infrite value
TO the United States in the work of establishing
and maintaining civil government throughout
the archipelago.
IMPOSSIBLE TO WITHDRAW.
In connection with the subject OF govern
ment, the Commission reaches the following CON
clusions:
Flrst-The United States cannot withdraw
from the Philippine Islands. We are there. and
from our responsibility to the Filpinos and to
mankind for the government of the archipelago.
and the ameioration Of the condition of the in
habitants.
Second-The Filipinos wholly unprepared
for independence, and if independence were
given to them they could not maintain IT.
Under the third head is included a copy of Ad-
miral Dewey's letter TO Senator Lodge which
was read in the Scrate. denying Aguinaldos as
sertion that independence was promised to him.
Fourth-There being no Philippine nation, but
only a collection Of different peoples. there is
no general public opinion in the archipelago; but
the men OF property and education, who alone
Interest themselves in public affairs in general
recognize as Indispensable American authority,
guidance and protection.
Fifth-Congress should at the earliest prac-
ticable time provide for the Philippines the
form Of government herein recommended or an
other equally liberal and benehcent.
SXth-Pending any action on the part Of Con-
gress the Commission recommends that the
President put in operation this scheme of civil
government in such parts of the archipelago
Seventh-So far as the finances of the Philip
pines permit public education should be prompt
ly established, and when established be free TO
ALL
Eighth-The greatest care should be taken in
the selection Of officials for administration. They
should be men Of the highest character and fit
ness and partisan politics should be entirely
separated from the government of the Philip
pines.
The Commission is unable to find any means
Of assimilatng The tariff Of the Philippines with
that Of the United States. saying that the diff
ferences are fundamental and irreconcilable, and
that long the existing chasm remains be-
tween the economic and social conditions of the
Philippines and those of the United States, so
long 1t remains impracticable to identify their
tariffs 1t is, therefore recommended that for
the present at least attempt be made to re-
adjust the tariff to the American basis.