The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-12
Many Abuses Have Arisen That should
and VIII he Remedied when a Sta
bile Government IL Established.
ovERABUNDANCE OF RED TAPE
WHICH ENTAILS BURDENS ON
MERCHANTS AND SHIPPERS.
FIipinoS Unwilling TO Express
Themselves ON the Result of the
Election I'm the United States

NEW YORK, Nov 1.-THE current num-
Der OF the New York Independent contains
an interesting article on American rule In
Manila, written by Harold Martin. He
says:
On Sept LIST and before these words are
published. the American Civil Commission
will have assumed the legislative control
of Philippine affairs. This coming change
may be briefly defined as follows: On
that date the Civil Commission will become
the legislative body OF the islands, with
powers to levy taxes, and IL will alone
have power, by means OF appropriation.
to disburse money from the insular treas
ury; II will establish a judicial and an
educational system, and IL will pass all
laws; the Commission will act in an ex-
ecutive capacity in the appointment of men
TO fiji all civil positions throughout the
archipelago. and this includes the naming
of judges. OF officials Of the educational
department and OF the officials. pending
election, in municipal corporations which
IL will be the business OF the Commission TO
establish. General Macarthur will remain
the executive head OF the government TO
enforce the laws the commission passes
and 10 conduct the government I'm accord
ance with them until such time as the COM
mission recommends 10 the President the
appointment of civil Governor The COM
mission will in due time establish a civil
municipal government for Manila, and
Americans. foreigners and the more intel
llgent element of the Filipinos here resid-
ing are greatly relieved at the approaching
prospect OF an end to military rule In the
Philippine capital.
MILITARY RULE.
The government OF Manila by the army
has not been pleasant for the inhabitants
of this city, and believe the reason there
for to be that the military system OF
municipal administration forces upon its
servants the appearance of scant and even
discourteous consideration of the legitimate
needs and desires of the people governed.
Civilians. be they Americans or foreigners.
do not enjoy being controlled I'm the arbi-
trary, self-sufficient and rigid manner in
which the officers OF a regiment are won't
to control and mete out justice TO the men
they command. The military system now
I'm vogue has forced our officers 20 proceed
in the governing OF Manila with that same
menta! attitude they would rightfuily
adopt in controlling camp OF men who
had sworn TO obey their orders. A civilian
community does not enjoy being governed
like a regiment. and the fact that army
officers in municipal affairs are accountable
for their actions to their superiors only has
not been conducive to the best OF feelings
nor led these men to a too great considera-
ton OF the wishes of the people they con-
49, -
ways purposeiy been inconsiderate OF the
people they governed think General Mac
Arthur has carefully considered their
wants. needs and requests. The dissatis-
faction / refer TO has arisen from the fact
that the military way of governing and adj
ministering the affairs OF a city is OF neces-
sity, because OF its method. one calculated
to lead the people to believe they are not
being considered. In legislating for Manila
it is as necessary TO act with show OF
consideration and tact as 1t is TO act at ALL
an identical measure, II enacted dlplo-
matically and with understanding. will
carry a much better effect than IL done in
the present brusque and military way. So
civilians I'm Manila to-day hopefully await
the commission TO bring them relief from
the hardship OF military control resulting
from the above set forth conditions.
THE EXCUSES OFFERED.
AS an offset and excuse for these con-
ditfons IL has been argued by army men
that we are now I'm time OF in these
islands, that war measures must be taken
in Manila as elsewhere, and that war Is
never replete with pleasant experiences.
We have been i'm Manila over two years.
and for twelve months past there has
been no reason nor collection OF reasons
or circumstances or conditions TO render
impossible or impracticabe the establish
ment of a local civil administration. either
by Americans or Americans and Filipinos,
sustained by good and clean police force
and the whole backed by the bayonets OF
our troops should necessity arise.
The facts that the present administra-
ton of civil affairs by army officers -
temporary, that these officers have known
they will sooner or later be relieved in
their work by a civil force. that It can
safely be said the majority of men oSt
here look forward to and desire the time
when they can return 10 the United
States have tended TO bring little real
interest 10 the work in hand and results
have suffered I'm consequence. No one
can give his best effort 20 uninteresting
and temporary work. and affairs out here
call for the best effort of our best men,
No matter how the question Is considered
at home. the retention OF these islands Is
to-day unpopular with the majority OF IN
dividual Americans who must live out
here. They put up with the Philippines
as an unpleasant feature OF their duty.
hoping the while for speedy relief.
The Provost-Marshal Of Manila IL the
military head OF the municipality. and the
various branches Of the Provost Marshals