Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-10
Correspondence of Associated Press.)

correspondence Oh Associated HreSS.1
Manila, p. L, Sept. 12.-The Civil
Commission. Judge Taft presiding, to-
day inaugurated the application. under
civil administration. of the principles
OF American fairness and honesty to
philippine affairs. In public session
the Commission introduced, discussed
and made law four bills appropriating
to the needs of these Islands a total
OF 5000. 1852 Mexican currency, of the
six millions surplus of Mexican cur
rency turned over by the Army to the
Commission September /. and now in
the 1nsul..r Treasury.
Modestly and without ostentation,
with dignity, common-sense and that
American Democracy and directness
which pleaseS all men whenever and
wherever 1t is found. the five members
of the Civil Commission undertook
their first public legislative action this
morning. When their methods and
their attitude at this public session be-
ctme generally known and are discuss
ed and digested by the Filipino people,
they cannot fail to be pleased there
with. The Commission has shown
consideration of the wants and the
rights of these same people, there was
no clouding of official action in myS-
terry and secrecy: the work of the new
legislative power was honest, earnest
and open, and showed q sure intent to
do well by their wards. Successful
legislation for the Philippine people
imDeratively requires two conditions
the 1irSt is what to do, the second is
how to do it; and it is believed the sec
ond is fully as important as the first.
Inc flllpinoS are sensitive as to the
way in which they are handled any
legislative measure. excellent in itself,
loses one-haf of it's ehigicacy ii not
promulgated and administered in the
right way. Just wnat this right way
may be in its details people here do
not yet know: but to-day's session
showed clearly one valuable thin"
namely that the Commission has be-
gun operations in this right way.
THE SESSION OPENED.
The session opened ut 10 o'clock, all
five members OF the commission being
present. MIR. A. w. Ferguson acted as
secretary and translator and MIR. w.
l.. Pepperman as recorder. The first
bill was introduced by General Wright.
1t appropriated two millions, Mexican,
from the insular treasury for the con-
struction and repair, under the super
vision OF General Macarthur, of high
ways and bridges throughout the ISL
nnds. The full text of the bill follows:
by authority of the President of the
United States, be 1t enacted by the
United States Philippine Commission,
that
Section ]. The sum of two million
dollars $4,000 000). Mexican. is hereby
appropriated out OF any money in the
jnsular treasury, not otherwise appro-
priated, to he expended in the imme-
diate construction and repair of high
ways and bridges in the Philippine ISL
ands.
Section q The sum so appropriated
shall be expended under the direction
of the military governor in the con-
Struction and repair of such highways
and bridges as in his Judgment may he
most conducive to the public welfare.
Section 3. The insular treasury is
hereby authorized and directed to pay
the warrants of the military governor
for the sum so appropriated.
Section 4. This act shall take effect
on it's passage"
ONLY THREE FILIPINOS.
Outside of the representatives of the
press and n couple OF army officers
there were but three Fiipinos in the
room. Judge Taft had publicly an
nounced that discussion of all bills
would be allowed, and District Attor-
ney Torres was the first Filipino to
claim this privilege before the commits
sion. Senior Torres made clear the fact
that he did not come 10 attack the bill.
but to praise 1t. and he complmented
the commission on It's PRONUNCIATION,
declaring ii provided for what the peo-
pie. and particularly the agricultural
lists. most needed. Senior Torres then
went on to say that under the Spanish
regime public moneys had often been
misspent. and he outlined the system OF
Spanish proceedings in public improve
ments which made such maladminis-
tration possible. He asked the COM
mission for information as to how the
provisions of this bill were to be car
Tied out as he was fearful that unless
carefully watched INSCRIPTIONS con-
tractors would find opportunity to d.
vert this two millions of the peoples
money from bringing to the people the
greatest amount Of good.
For the benefit OF Senior Torres and
the people at large. General Wright eX-
planned that the actual work OF con-
structon of the roads and bridges was
to be done under the supervision Of
General Macarthur. who remains the
executive head OF the insular govern
ment until pacificntion is thoroughly
accomplished. at which time the civil
government will complete the work OF
road building. General Wright further
pointed out that the construction OF
these roads would furnish employment
10 large number of worthy people.
who needed the work on account of re-
verses suffered during the insurrection.
and that the building of highways was
as necessary for the government as for
the people themselves.
JUDGE TAFT's ADDRESS.
Judge Taft then addressed the COM
mission and Senior Torres in tho fol-
lowing words:
we assume that the personal char
hcter and equipment of the present
Military Governor is a sufficient guar
antee that the work will be done quick
1y and economically. Naturally the
immediate departments of the worl,