The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06

half--a proceeding heretofore unknown in
these islands.
"A reading of the provisions of the law
clearly demonstrates the purposes, ten
denotes, and beneficent intentions of the
United States Government Naturally II
is impossible to frame legal provisions
which are perfect, but these are suscepti-
BILE OF future improvement in order that
they may meet future necessities and keep
pace with the development in political
| knowledge of the Philippine people with
whom now rests the creation of municipal
tiles which shall faithfully administer their
interests and protect their rights and lib
critics. Their action is limited by the law
solely by desire to establish prudential
measures for the common welfare. such as
appear TO be necessary 10 secure the pros
perity and the moral and material advance
ment of the country. And. if notwi.h
standing the prudent foresight of the
United States Government as herein ex-
pressed errors should occur and abuses
should be committed by the municipalities
in the management of their interests, the
| abuses will be strongly repressed in ac-
! cordance with the penal law and RESPONSE
| bility for errors committed must be
charged to the electors. who. it is to be
hoped, after having seen that they have
chosen incompetent or unworthy officers,
will endeavor TO exercise the elective fran
chise more wisely in the future BY such
course of action they viii demonstrate
that they possess the qualifications nee
essary to free citizenship. that they have
a clear idea of their rights and liberties,
that they know how to guard their COM
mon interests, and that they honestly de-
| sire the progress and happiness of the
! country"
| General Otis then proceeds to outline the
| provisions of law which were determined
/ upon by the board which was organized for
| the purpose of preparing form of munich
+ pal government.
! General Otis approves the report of The
! board of which Don Cayetano Arellano,
! Chief Justice of the Philippines, was
president. Chapter l OF the law defines
and classifes the towns and municipalities
! and vests the municipal government of
each town in an alcalde and a municipal
| council These officers are to BE- chosen
| at large by the qualified electors of the
| town, and their term of Office shall be for
! two years from and alter the first Monday
! in January next, after their election, and
until their successors are chosen and
! qualifie-. Towns of the first class, con
! ming not less than $4,000 inhabitants.
| shall have eighteen councillors; towns with
population between $4,000 and $4,000 shall
| have fourteen councillors; with a popula-
i ton between 10000 and $4,000 ten coun-
cilors; less than 10000 inhabitants. shall
| have eight councillors.
The electors are divided into three
| classes. the eligibles being those who, prior
| to the 18th of August 1898. held the office
| OF municipal captain or goberpadorcillo
lieutenant or cabeza de baranguay: those
| who annually pay 80 pesos or more of the
| established taxes, and those who speak
| read. and write English and Spanish
! Each elector, before casting his ballot, Is
compelled to take an oath that he is not
subject or citizen of any foreign power
| that | recognize and accept the supreme
authority of the United States OF America
and will maintain true faith and allegiance
| thereto"
Regarding the officers the law says In
no cases can there be elected or appointed
to municipal office, ecclesiastics. soldiers
in active service. persons receiving salary
| from municipal, provincial or Government
funds: debtors to said funds. contractors Of
public works and their bondsmen; clerks
and functionaries Of the Administration