St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-09-26
The Philippine Commission.

huencing voters, is the letter of in
structions given by President Nc
Kinley to the Philippine Commission
The letter bears the date of April 7
1900, but was not made public unit
few days ago. 1t was issued tc
the Secretary OF War, who in turf
communicated it to the commission
The letter completely knocks the
ground out from nearly every one oil
the arguments advanced by the Dem
ocrats against the policy of the Pres
ident in the Philippine Islands. The
letter is official. 1t commands the
commission to do certain things
which they are now doing as rapidly
as possible. 1t does not declare what
the administration intends to do but
what it is doing. 1t shows that the
Democratic cry of imperialism, militia
rism, oppression, exploitation and
tyranny contains not one iota OF
truth. It shows that the President
is following out most progressive,
enlightened and humane policy; that
the inhabitants of the Philippine Is
lands are being given every right and
privilege possible; that just as far as
practicable they are to exercise self
government and their material well
being is to be the first thought Of
this nation. To illustrate we will
quote few extracts.
They (the commssion) should in gen
eral be enjoined, after making themselves
familiar with the conditions and needs
OF the country, to devote their attention
in the first instance to the establishment
of municipal governments, in which the
natives Of the islands, both in the cities
and in the rural communities, shall be af-
forded the opportunity to manage their
own local affairs to the fullest extent of
which they are capable, and subject to
the least degree of supervision and con-
troll which careful study of their capac
tiles and observation of the workings OF
native control show to be consistent
with the maintenance of law, order and
loyalty.
Whenever the commission is of the
opinion that the condition of affairs in
the islands is such that the central adj
ministration may safely be transferred
from military to civil control, they will
report that conclusion to you, with their
recommendations as to the form of CEN
trial government to be established for the
purpose of taking over the control.
Beginning with September 1, 1900,
the authority to exercise, subject to my
approval, through the Secretary of War,
that part of the power Of government in
the Philippine Islands which is of legis-
lative nature is to be transferred from
the military governor of the islands to
this commission, to be thereafter exercised
by it in the place and stead of the mill
tary governor, under such rules and re-
gulations as you shall prescribe, until
the establishment of the civilcentral gov
eminent for the islands contemplated
in the last foregoing paragraph, or until
Congress shall otherwise provide.
These general rules are to be observed:
That in all cases the municipal officers,
who administer the local affairs of the
people, are to be selected by the people,
and that wherever officers of more ex-
tended jurisdiction are to be selected in
any way, natives of the islands are to be
preferred, and if they can be found COM
petent and willing to preform the duties
they are to receive the Offices in prefer
ence to any Others.
Upon every division and branch of the
government of the Philippines, therefore,
must be imposed these inviolable rules:
That no person shall be deprived Of
life, liberty or property without due pro-
cess OF law; that private property shall
not be taken for public use without just
compensation; that in all criminal pro-
secutions 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 compul-
sorry process for obtaining witnesses in
his favor, and to have the assistance of
SOuhoSl iOl Mo uSlSuSCi tHdl CAlSooltC
bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun
shment inflicted; that no person shall
be put twice in jeopardy for the same Of
fence, or be compelled in any criminal
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 in
voluntary servitude shall exist, except as
punishment for crime; that no bill of
attainder, or ex-post-facto law shall be
passed; that no law shall be passed
abridging the freedom of speech or of the
press, or the rights of the people to peace
ably assemble and petition the govern
ment tor redress OF grievances; that no
law shall be made respecting an estab-
lishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof, and that the free ex,
ercise and enjoyment of religious PROBES
sion and worship without discrimination
or preference shall forever be allowed.
ut 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 mill
tary authorities"
The entire letter, which is quite
lengthy, is we'll worth careful read
ing. 1t shows the lofty statesman
ship of the President, his grasp o
the situation, his knowledge of exist