The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-12-06

lOT lne sake OF their liberty ana
happiness, however much they may con-
dict with the customs or laws of proceed
ure with which they are familiar.
Principles Are Appreciated.
It is evident that the most enlightened
thought OF the Philippine islands fully ap-
preciates the importance of these princi-
pies and rules, and they will inevitably
within a short time command universal
assent. Upon every division and branch
OF the government of the Philippines,
therefore, must be imposed three .inviol-
able rules:
That no person shall be deprived of life
liberty, or property without due process of
law; that private property shall not be
taken for public use without just COM
pensation: that in all criminal prosecutions
the accused shall enjoy the right to
speedy and public trial, to be informed
Of the nature and cause of the accusation,
to be confronted with the witnesses against
him, to have compulsory process for OBJ
tanning witnesses in his favor, and to have
the assistance of counsel for his defense;
that excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishment inflicted; that no per-
son shall be put twice in jeopardy for the
same offense, or be compelled in any Grim
inal case to be a witness against himself;
that the right to be secure against unreal
sonable searches and seizures shall not be
violated: that neither slavery nor involun-
tary SerVitude shall exist except as pun
ishment for crime; that no bill of attain
der or ex post facto law shall be passed;
that no law shall be passed abridging the
rights Of the people to peaceably assemble
and petition the government for a redress
of grievances; that no law shall be made
respecting an establishment of religion or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof, and
rG&t the free exercise and enjoyment of
religious profession and worship without
discrimination or preference shall forever
be allowed.
To Investigate Land Titles.
1t will be the duty of the commission
to make a thorough investigation into the
titles to the large tracts of land held CT
claimed by individuals or by religious or
ders; into the justice of the claims and
complaints made against such land-hold-
ers by the people Of the island or any
part of the people, and to seek by wise
ment of the controversies and redress of
wrongs which have caused strife and
bloodshed in the past. In the. perform
Joined to see that no injustice is done;
to have regard for substantial rights and
equity FRRt peSmt
and and to observe the following rules: '''''''
That the provision Of the treaty of
aT Of ali G rights Of iSSg IN
the Islands, and as well the principle of
our own government which prohibits the
F46as Of law, SHAH not be ' Violated:
that the welfare Of the people of the
islands, which should be a paramount
consideration, shall be attained consist
emily with this rule Of property right;
that if it becomes necessary for the pub
lie interest of the people of the islands
the Comm Commission finds to be not lawfully
made thereof by due legal procedure. in
sair and impartial hearing and judg-
ment; that if the same pubic
interests require 18th, the e1xtiR Cyl:
quired and held, due compensation shall
be made out Of the public treasury there
for; that no form of religion and no min
lister of religion shall be forced upon any
community or upon any citizen of the
islands; that. upon the other hand, no
with or molested in following his calling,
and that the separation between state
and church shall be real, entire and alb
To Extend Education.
1t will be the duty of the commission
to promote and extend, and as they find
occasion, to improve, the system Of edu-
cation already inaugurated by the military
authorities. In doing this they should've
gard as of first Importance the extension
of a system of primary education whlch
TO fit the people for the duties of citizen.
ship and Tor the ordinary avocations OF
a, civilized community. This instruction
every part of the islands in the language
of the people. In view of the great num-
Der of languages spoken by the dditerent
prosperity of the Islands that a common
medium of communication may be estab-
lished, and it is obviously desirable that
this medium should be the English lam
guage. Especial attention should be at
once given to affording full opportunity
TO all the people of the islands to acquire
the use of the English language.
1t may be well that the main changes
which should be made IN the system of
taxation and the body of the laws under
which the people are governed, except such
changes as have already been made by
the military government, should be rele-
gated to the civil government which Is
to be established under the auspices OF
the commission. 1t will, however, be the
duty of the commission to inquire diligent-
~ as to whether there are any further
and, ifso, they are authorized to make such
changes, subject to your approval. In do
ing so they are to bear in mind that taxes
which tend to penaliZe or represS industry
and enterprise are to be avoided; that pro-
visions for taxation should be simple, so
that they may be understood by the
people; that they should affect the fewest
practicable subjects of taxation which will
serve for the general distribution of the
Little Change I'm Laws.
The main body of the laws which regu-
late the rights and obligations of the peo-
pie should be maintained with as little
Interference as possible. Changes made
the the criminal laws laws to secure Secure speedy and
impartial trials, and at the same time
effective administration and respect for
In dealing with the uncivilized tribes
of the Islands the commission should
adopt the same course followed by con-
gress in permitting the tribes of our
North American Indians to maintain
their tribal organization and government,
and under which many of those tribes are
now living in peace and ,o contentmentS
they are unable or unwilling to conform.
Such tribal governments should, how
ever, be subjected to wise and firm reg
ulation, and, without undue or petty in
reference, constant and active effort
should be exercised to prevent barbarous
practices and introduce civilized customs.
United States, both civil and military,
should be impressed a sense of the duty
to observe not merely the material, but
the personal and social rights of the peo-
pie of the islands. and to treat them
with the same courtesy and respect for
their personal dignity which the people
of the United States are accustomed to
require from each other.
Have Kept Our Pledge.
The articles of equalization of the city
of Manila on the 18th of August, 1898, con-
cluded with these words:
This city, its inhabitants, its churches
and religious worship, its educational es-
Establishments, and it's private property of
all descriptions, are placed under the
special safeguard of the faith and honor
believe that this pledge has been
faithfully kept AS high and sacred an
obligation rests upon the government Of
property and life, civil and religious free
dom, and wise, firm and unselfsh guild
ance In the paths of peace and prosper
ity to all the people of the Philippine is
lands charge this commission to la
Dor for the full performance of this obli-
cation, which concerns the honor and
conscience of their country, In the firm
hope that through their labors all the
Inhabitants OF the Philippine islands may
come to look back with gratitude to the
day when God gave victory to American
arms at Manila and set their land under