The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-18

The War Department has just made pub
lie the instructions of President Mckinley
TO the Philippine Commission appointed
last April to organize government in
the Philippines. The instructions were
transmitted by the President to the Sec
rotary of War in the following form:
Executive Mansion, April Z. 1900.
THE Secretary of War, Washington:
Sir: In the message transmitted TO the
Congress on the 5th OF December, 1893, /
said. speaking of the Philippine Islands:
AS long as the insurrection continues the
military arm must necessarily be su-
preme. But there is no reason why steps
should not be taken from time to time to
inaugurate governments essentially popu-
lar in their form as fast as territory is
held and controlled by cur troops. 10
this end am considering the adVlsapility
of the return of the commission, or such
q, of the members thereof as can be secured,
to aid the existing authorities and tacili-
tate this work throughout the islands,
ITO give effect to the intention thus ex-
pressed have appointed the Hon. William
H. Taft, of Ohio; Proi. Dean c. Worees-
ter. of Michigan; the Hon. Luke /. Wright:
of Tennessee; the Hon. Henry Z. lde, OF
Vermont. and Prof Bernard Moses. of
pine Islands, to continue and Perfect the
work of organizing and establishing civil
government already commenced by the
military authorities, subject in all re-
spects TO any laws which Congress may
hereafter enact.
Municipal Governments.
you will instruct the commission TO
proceed TO the city of Manila, where they
will make their principal office. and to
communicate with the Military Governor of
the Philippine Islands. whom you will at
the same time direct to render to them
every assistance within his power in the
performance of their duties. Without
hampering them by too specific instruc-
tions, they should in general be enloined,
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 govern
ments in which the natives of the islands,
both in the cities and in the rural COM
munities. shall be afforded the opportunity
TO manage their own local affairs TO the
fullest extent of which they are capable,
and subject 10 the least degree of super
vision and control which careful study of
their capacities and observation of the
workings of native control show TO be con-
sistent with the maintenance of law, or
der, and loyalty.
THE next subject in order of import
ance should be the organization of gov
eminent in the larger administrative di-
visions corresponding to counties, de-
partments. or provinces, in which the
common interests Of many or several
municipalities falling within the same
tribal lines, or the same natural geo.
graphical limits, may best be subserved
by common administration. Whenever
the commission is of the opinion that the
condition of affairs in the islands is such
that the central administration may safe
ly be transferred from military to civil
control. they will report that conclusion
to you. with their recommendations as
established for the purpose of taking over
the control.
Beginning with the first day of Sep
TENDER. 1900. the authority to exercise
subject to my approval. through the Sec
rotary of War, that part OF the power of
government in the Philippine Islands
which is of a legislative nature is TO be
transferred from the military governor of
the islands to this commission, to be
thereafter exercised by them in the place
and stead Of the military governor. under
such rules and regulations as you shall
prescribe. until the establishment of the
civil central government for the islands
contemplated in the last foregoing para
graph. or until Congress shall otherwise
provide. Exercise of this legislative au-
thorlty will include the making OF rules
and orders, having the effect of law, for
the raising of revenue by taxes, customs
duties and imposts; the appropriation and
expenditure OF public funds of the islands;
the establishment Of an educational sys-
TEN throughout the islands; the establish
rlent of a system to secure an efficient
civil service; the organization and estab-
lishment Of courts; the organization and
establishment of municipal and department
ia, governments, and all other matters of
civil nature for which the military gov
ernor nor is now competent to provide by
rules or orders Of legislative character
Power 10 Appoint Officers.
TThe commission viii also have power
during the same period to appoint TO
Office such officers under the Jude al.
educational. and civil service systems
and in the municipal and departmental
governments as shall be provided for
Until the complete transfer of control
.he Military Governor will remain the
chief executive head of the government
of the islands and will exercise the
executive authority now possessed by
him and not herein expressly assigned
TO the commission, subject. however. to
the rules and orders enacted by the
commission in the exercise of the leg
islative powers conferred upon them.
In the mean time the municipal and de-
partmental governments will continue to
report TO the Military Governor and be
subject to his administrative supervi ion
and control, under your direction. but
that supervision and control will be
confined within the narrowest limits
consistent with the requirement that the
powers of government in the municipali-
ties and departments shall be honestly
and effectively exercised. and that law
and order and individual freedom shall
be maintained.
"All legislative rules and orders, es-
Establishments of government and appoiat-
ments 10 Office by the commission will
take effect Immediately, or at such times
as they shall designate. subject TO your
approval and action upon the coming in
OF the commissions reports which are
10 he made from time TO time as their
action is taken. Wherever civil gov
ernments are constituted under the di-
rection of the commission such mill. AIRY
posts. garrisons, and forces will be
continued for the suppression of insur-
reciion and brigandage. and the mainte-