The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-15
OUR GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIP.
PINES.


PINES.
There is no weaker argument against our
retention of the Philippines than the con-
tention that the people are not fit for self
government. and therefore not fit for an
nexation. This argument assumes that If
the islands are annexed-or, rather, IL we
continue to hold them, for they are already
annexed-the people must at once be ac-
corded full measure of self-goyernment.
II assumes. also. that under the Constitu-
ton there are only two forms of govern
ment permissible-namely, state and terri
torial. These assumptions are wholly I'M
authorized. AS a matter of fact, the Con-
stitution does not prescribe any form OF
government for either States or Territories.
The only provision on the subject is that
Congress shall guarantee to every State
in this Union a republican form of govern
ment." Nothing is said about territorial
have power to make all needful rules and
regulations respecting the territory belong
ing to the United States" AS this says
'the territory" and not ''the Territories"
1t evidently refers to domain, and not to
organized governments. When the Consti-
tuition was adopted there was only one Ter
ritory belonging to the United States, and
that was "the territory of the United
States northwest of the Ohio river" This
Territory was organized by the ordinance
of July 10, 17S7, passed by the old Confed-
crate Congress two months before the Con-
stitution was adopted. This vast and un-
defined territory was the one referred to
by the clause of the Constitution giving
Congress power ito make all needful rules
and regulations respecting the territory of
the United States" At that time no per-
son dreamed that the United States would
ever acquire additional territory. yet 1t has
made several acquisitions, and in every
case the Constitution has been elastic
enough and Congress has been wise
enough to supply a form of government
suited for the situation. These forms of
government have differed according to cir
cumstances, and may differ to any extent
deemed advisable. Because Congress has
prescribed a particular form of government
for one Territory it is not obliged to pre-
scribe the same form for another. 1t may
establish a purely civil, a purely military
or mixed civil and military government.
as it deems best, and may change from
one to another as circumstances require.
Under the provision that Congress may
make all needful rules and regulations re-
specting the territory belonging to the
United States there is no limitation on its
power. 1t may establish in the Philippines
any form of provisional government it
thinks best, or turn the whole matter over
to the President. 1t may give the Filipinos
as much or as little self-government as it
thinks best. and may hold them in tutelage
ten, twenty or fifty years. until they are
fit for a larger measure.
The resolution recently introduced by
Senator Beveridge asserts the constitu-
tional power of Congress very clearly. and
a bill introduced by Senator Spooner, of
Wisconsin, indicates the lines on which it
will probably be exercised, at least at first.
The Beverage resolution declares:
That the Philippine islands are territory
belonging to the United States; that it is
the intention of the United States TO retain
them as such and to establish and main
tain such governmental control throughout
the archipelago as the situation may de-
mand.
This asserts the right of Congress to es-
tablish any kind of government it thinks
best. The text of Senator Spooner's bill
is as follows:
BE ii enacted, etc.: That, when all insur-
rection against the authority and sover-
eighty of the United States in the Philip
pine islands shall have been completely
suppressed by the military and naval forces
of the United States, all military, civil and
judicial powers necessary to govern the
said islands shall, until otherwise pro-
vided by Congress, be vested In SUCH per-
sons, and shall be exercised in such
manner as the President of the United
States shall direct, for maintaining and
protecting the inhabitants of the said
islands in the full enjoyment of their lib
erty, property and religion.
Senator Spooner is one of the best law
yers in the Senate. Under the Constitu-
ton the President. commander-tn-chief,
has authority to govern territory as n mill
tary measure, but cannot create a civil gov
ernment except as an emergency measure.
The Spooner bill would not interfere with
the military government of the islands
pending the complete restoration Of peace,
and would give the President authority
TO substitute civil for military govern
ment as soon and fast as circumstances
would justify. This would be provisional
government. and at the proper time Con-
gress can enact permanent form of gov
eminent. 1t is probable this will be the
line of action.
THE INDIANA BRYAN.
An Indiana man has discovered the Re-