The age-herald., 1900-12-04

make thorough investigation into the ti- ties of the large tracts of land held or claimed by individuals or by religious ders; inquire into the justice of the claims and complaints made against such land holders by the people of the island any part of the people, and to seek, by wise and peaceable measures a just settlement of the controversies and redress of wrongs which have caused strife and bloodshed in. the past In the performance of this duty the commission is enjoined to see that no injustice is done; to have regard for sub- stantial rights and equity, disregarding technicalities, so far as substantial right permits, and to observe the following rules: That the provision of the treaty of Paris pedging the United States to the protec- ton of all rights of property in the islands, well the people of our own govern ment, which prohibits the taking of private property without due process of law, shall not be violated; that the welfare of the people of the island, which should be a paramount consideration, shall be attained consistent with this rule of property rights; that if it becomes necessary for the public interests for the people of the islands to dispose of claims to property which the commission finds not to be lawfully ac- quired and held, disposition shall be made thereof by due legal procedure, in which there shall be full opportunity for fair and impartial hearing and judgment; that if the same public interests require the ex- tinguishment of property rights, legally &C., quired and held, due compensation shall be made out of the public treasury therefor; that no form of religion and no minister of religion shall be forced upon any communl- ty or upon any citizen of the islands; that, upon the other hand, no minister of re- ligion shall be interfered with or molested in following his calling, and that the sepa- ration between state and church shall be real, entire end absolute
 It will be the d.ty of the commission to promote and extend and as tiiev find occa- sion to improve, the system of sducation already inaugurated by the military thorities In doing this they should regard as of first importance the extension of a system of primary education which shall be free to all and which shall tend to 1t the people for the duties of citizenship and for the ordinary avocations of a civilized community. This instruction should be given in the first instance in every part of the islands in the language of the people. In view of the great number of languages spoken by the different tribes 1t is espe- cialy important to the prosperity of the islands that common medium of com- rnunication be established. and 1t Is obvi- ously desirable that this medium should be the English language. Especial atten- tion should be at once given to anording full opportunity to all the people of the islands to acquire the use of the English language.
 Taxation.
 IL may be well that the many changes which should be made in the system of taxation and in the body of the laws under which the people are governed, except such changes as have already been made by the military govrnment should be relegated Q the civil government, which is to be es- tabished under the auspices of the com mission.
 It will however, be the duty of the com mission to inquire diligently as to whether there are any further changes which ought not to be delayed, and if so they are au- thorized to make such changes subject to your approval. In doing so they are to bear in mind that taxes which tend to penalize or repress industry and enterprise are to be avoided; that provisions for taxa tion should be simple, so that they may be understood by the people, that they should affect the fewest practicable subjects ol taxation which will serve for the general distribution of the burden.
 The main body of the laws which regu- late the rights and obligations of the peo- pie should be maintained with as little in- VI reference as possible. Changes made should be mainly in procedure and in the criminal laws to secure speedy and im- partial trials, and at the same time effec- tive administration and respect for tndi- vidral rights.
 In dealing with the unciyilized tribes of ihe Island the commission should adopt tie --------~----------~~>-~~~-
 (CoEtinued on sth Page.l "A 4sa