The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-24
CIVIL GOVERNMENT PROBLEMS.


Officers at Manila.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23--The War De-
partment has made public series of
ports made TO General Macarthur by the
subordinate officers constituting the heads
OF the various bureaus and departments
| which have administered the civil affairs of
the Philippine islands during the last year.
These are closely but sufficiently summar-
| ICED in the report Of Lieutenant Colonel
| Crowder, Thirty ninth Infantry, secretary
to the military governor. Under the head
Of the treasury department 1t Is said that
the problem of securing a stable currency
has never approached definite solution in
the Philippines, though 1t had not pressed
for immediate settlement until very recent
ly, when United States and Mexican dol
lars were for a few days evenly exchanged.
This was terminated by a provisional or
der whereby the government arranged to
| reimburse the banks for any losses they
might sustain through paying out Mexican
silver dollars for United States currency.
| Doubt is expressed, however, as to the de-
STABILITY Of continuing this arrangement
The customs service is discussed at some
length in the report. and 1t is stated that
there does not seem to be any present
| necessity for an increase in the number OF
ports of entry. Attention is directed to the
| marked increase in the customs receipts un-
| der American management. This is ex-
| planned in part by the fact that formerly
a large part of the imports came from
| Spain and paid no duties. Also the Ameri-
can system of collection is said to tend to
| honest collections. The new tariff adopted
| for the island Is set out in detail In almost
every case specific duties are fixed, follow
which it was believed to be dangerous to
change to the ad valorem system.
| The extension of the United States immi-
grafton laws to the islands without SUBJ
stantial change to meet the local conditions
| is said to have proven of doubtful expedi-
ency, and especially so with regard to the
contract labor law. 1t is essential. says the
report, for the mercantile interests to Sc
cure employees from abroad under contract,
| else business will suffer. These laborers do
not come into competition with the native
residents. More than 5000 Chinese entered
and left the islands last year. Only one
ninth of the land In the archipelago has
| been brought under cultivation. and there is
| 10 land tax.
Regarding the judicial department, it
| early was found TO be necessary TO provide
| a system which would be divested of those
harsh and oppressive features much in
| conflict with American standards. 1t was
| impossible for lack of time. to supply an
| entirely new system, so some changes re-
garded as indispensable were made by a
| general order 1t appears that the opera
tions of the law as thus qualified have been
satisfactory in securing to defendants in
criminal cases the fundamental rights OF
Anglo-Saxou criminal law. The writ of
habeas corpus has been frequently invoked
and under its speedy operation nearly one
hundred prisoners, the heritage of the
Spanish regime. have been liberated from
unwarranted detention.
Colonel Crowder thoroughly indorses the
recommendation OF Lieutenant Burritt, In
charge of the mining bureau. looking to a
thorough change In the mining laws. He
says that these are extremely cumbersome
and that once they brought up 10
American standards the mineral condition
OF the country soon will be enormously i'm
proved. as experienced prospectors and