Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-06
is FROM CAPTAIN F. ". ECKERS.
That Gentleman, Who Returned to His
Company, Says the Order Seems to
Admirably Fit conditions-General
Otis Comments In a General Order.

menu OF CIVIL government IN all the CIT
les and towns in the Philippine Is
lands, with the exception of Manila.
The plan seems to be modelled after
the American plan, and just now will
make interesting reading.
Captain Eckers is stationed at
Florida Blanca, Province of Pampan-
ga. He has been in command of ba-
tallion for three and one-half months,
but recently returned to his company
and is in the best of health. Regard
ing the order, a copy of which he sent
Capt Emery, Mr.. Ekers says it seems
to admirably fit conditions, the people
seeming to take great interest in the
elections.
The Order.
The order is printed in both English
and Spanish and is signed by Major
General Otis, military governor of the
islands. His preamble which follows
states that a native board has report
eu the plan of government which has
been adopted, and gives an idea of
what the administration is doing and
intends to do:
THE board Of which His Honor, Don
Cayetano Arrellano, chief justice OF the
Philippines. is president, and which
was called in general orders No. 18 of
January 18th last, from this Office to
submit form of municipal govern.
ment for such Of the municipios of the
Islands as are prepared to adopt repre-
sentative control over their own civil
affairs. and which may become appli-
cable to others as soon as they demon
sttate fitness for self administration,
having reported plan of government
which meets existing conditions, the
same is approved and will receive
practical appli alton in accordance
with the mode of procedure therein
outlined.
1T is with great satisfactio that the
United States authorities il concord
ance with former promises, promul-
gates IN this order the law by which
the municipalities of the towns of the
Philippines are to be established and
governed in the future. The law is
inspired by a genuinely liberal shirt
and the principles 81 autonomous gov.
eminent 1t is in itself educating II
is calculated to urge on the people in
the pain OF TRUE progress, if they are
aesirous to understand their duties as
Tree citizens and make legitimate use
OF their privileges.
FOR the first time the Philippine
people are to exercise the right of suff-
rage in the election of municinal ofti.
cers-a right only slightly re.
strlcted by conditions which
have been imposed for the
purpose OF rewarding as well as encour-
aging the people in their Just and nat.
uraf aspirations to become educated
and worthy to enjoy all the benefits of
civilization.
With the new Municipalities +. rao1.
ly autonomous and decentralized mini.
clpal government will be estahiisbed
IN the towns. since no provincial az.
sembly is created in the capitals of tho
! provinces or districts and each mini.
cipality is the legal administrator of
me interests OF its town, and will keep
preserve and expend for the public
Weiiiare the municipal funds. The in
prevention which has been bestowed
upon the governors of provinces or the
supreme island authorities, is in the
interest OF the towns themselves, as
wen as OF the country in general, be-
cause supervision and watchfulness
are always indispensable to prevent
transgressions of the law, and the
harm consequent upon the non.compli.
ance with its precept. 1t will also
De noted that the ample powers given
the Alcalde (the representative of the
executive power) to punish and re-
press misdemeanors. and infringe.
ments OF a governmental or administra.
tive character, provide that before a
penalty or correction can be applied
the accused must be heard and allow.
ed to submit evidence in his behalf
proceeding heretofore unknown In
these islands.
"A reading of the provisions of the
law clearly demonstrates the purpose,
tendencies and beneflcient intentions
of the United States government, Nat.
urally it is impossible to frame legal
provisions which are perfect. but
these are susceptible of future i'm.
provement 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
municipalities and the officers
who shall faithfully administer
their interests and protect their
rights and liberties. Their action
is limited by the law solely by desire
to establish prudential measures for
the common welfare, such as appear
to be necessary to secure the prosper
ity and the moral and material adj
vancement of the country. And if, not
withstanding the prudent foresight of
the United States government as here
in expressed, errors should occur and
abuses should be committed by the
municipalities in the management of
their interests, the abuses will be
strongly repressed in accordance with
the penal law, and responsibility for
errors committed must be charged to
the electors, who it is hoped, after hav-
ing seen that they have chosen incom-
petent or unworthy officers, will en-
deavor to exercise the elective fran
chise more wisely in the future. BY
such course they will demonstrate
that they possess the qualifications
necessary to free citizenship;
that they may have clear
idea of their rights and liberties