The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-04

VI lie pcOptcs alu 10 8oeA W Wise osa
peaceabie measures . 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
permits. and to observe the following rules:
| That the provision of the treaty OF Paris
pledging the United States to the protee-
ton of all rights Of property in the Islands
as well as the principle OF our own gov
eminent which prohibits the taking of prf-
shall not be violated: that the welfars OF
the people of the islands, which should DC
a consideration. shall be at
tanned consistently with this rule OF prop
erty light; that II it becomes necessary for
the public interest of the islands to dispose
of claims to property which the commls--
sion finds TO be not lawfully acquired 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 IL the same
public interests require the extinguishment
of property rights lawfully acquired 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 MUM or
upon any citizen Of the islands. that upon
the other hand no minister of religion shall
be interfered with or molested In Following
his calling. and that the separation be-
tween church. and state shall be real en-
tire and absolute.
cit will be the duty of the commission
to promote and extend. and. as they md
occasion. to improve. the system OF educa-
ton already tnaugurated by the military
authorities In doing this they should re-
gard as OF first Importance the extension
Of a system Of primary EDUCATION o WHEN en-
fit the people for the duties or citizensnlp
and for the ordinary vacations OF a civil
lied 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-
cially important to the prosperity OF the
islands that a common medium of COM
munication may be established. and 1T Is
obviously desirable that this medium should
be the English language. Especial atten-
ton should be at once given to anording
full opportunity to all the people of the
islands to acquire the use of the English
language.
FEW CHANGES IN LAWS.
"It may be well that the main changes
that should be made in the system OF tax
alton and in the body of the laws under
which the people are governed, except such
changes as have already been made by
the military government, should be rele-
gated to the civil government. which is to
be established under the auspices Of the
commission. 1t will, however, be the duty
of the commission to inquire diligently
as to whether there are any furtner
changes which ought not TO be delayed,
and. il SO, they are authorized 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 avoldeo;
that provisions for taxation should De SIM
pie, so that they nay be understood py
the people; that they should AFFECT the
fewest practicable subjects Of taxation
which will serve for the general distribu-
ton of the burden.
THE main body of the laws which regu-
late the rights and obligations of the people
should be maintained with as little inter-
ference as possible. Changes made should
be mainly in procedure, and in the Grim
trials, and at the same time effective ad-
ministration and respect for Individual
rights.
the islands the commission should adopt
the same course followed by Congress in
permitting the tribes of our North Ameri-
can Indians to maintain their tribal or
ganization and government and under
which many of those tribes are now living
in peace and contentment, surrounded by
a civilization to which they are unable or
unwilling to conform. Such tribal govern
ment should, however, be subjected to wise
and firm regulation. and, without undue or
petty interference, constant and active Ell
fort should be exercised to prevent bar
barous practices and introduce civilized
customs.
Upon all officers and employees OF the
United States, both civil and military.
should be impressed a sense OF the duty 10
observe not merely the material, but the
personal and social rights Of the people OF
the islands and to treat them with the
same courtesy and respect for their per-
sonal dignity which the people of the
United States are accustomed to require
from each other.
."The articles of capitulation of the city
of Manila on the 18th of August, 1898, con-
Guided with these words: This city, its in
habitants, its churches and religious wor-
ship; its educational establishments, and
it's private property of all descriptions, are
placed under the special safeguard Of the
faith and honor of the American army.
1 believe that this pledge has been faith
fully kept
"As high and sacred an obligation rests
upon the government of the United States
to give protection for property and life,
civil and religious freedom, and wise, firm,
and unselfsh guidance in the paths OF
peace and prosperity to all the people of
the Philippine islands. I charge this COM
mission to labor for the full performance
of this obligation, which concerns the honor
and conscience of their country, in the firm
hope that through their labors all the in
habitants of the Philippine islands may
come to look back with gratitude to the day
when God gave victory to American arms
at Manila and set their lands under the
sovereignty and the protection OF the peo-
pie OF the United States"
Coincfdentally with the entrance of the
commission upon Its labors 1 caused to be
issued by General MacAacthur, the military
governor of the Philippines on June Fl, 1900.
q proclamation of amnesty In generous
terms, of which many of the insurgents
took advantage. among them a number OF
important leaders.
PROGRESS OF THE COMMISSION.
This commission. composed of eminent
citizens representing the diverse geograph-
ical and political interests of the country
and bringing to their task the ripe fruits
Of long and intelligent service in educa-
tional. administrative and judicial careers.
made great progress from the outset. As
early as Aug. q, 1900, il submitted a pre-
liminary report, which will be laid before
the Congress and by which II appears that
already the good effects Of returning order
are felt; that business, interrupted by hos
~tilities, Is improving as peace extends;
that a larger area is under sugar ~cultiva-
ton than ever before; that the customs
revenues are greater than at any time
during the Spanish rule; that economy and
efficiency in the military administration
have created a surplus fund of Sc, 000, 600,
available for needed public improvements
that a stringent civil service law is in
preparation; that railroad communication
are expanding, opening up rich districts.
and that a comprehensive scheme Of edu-
cation Is being organized.
Later reports from the commission show
yet more encouraging advance toward in
surfing the benefits of liberty and good gov
eminent to the Filipinos. in the interest OF
humanity and with the aim OF building W
an enduring, self-supporting and self-ad.
ministering community IN those far east
ern seas. l would impress upon the Con.
oraco thof uhafavar Iaoicloffcn he