The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-06
GOVERNMENT OF THE CITIES
OTIS ORDER AS TO TOWN Off.
GERS IN PHILIPPINES.

People Are to Exercise the Right of
Suffrage for the First Time I'm
Their Municipal EIections-Peopie
Are 10 Have Full Control of Their
Local Govcrnments-Provis as
to Qualifications for officials and
Electors.
Washington. May 5.--Secretary Root to-
day sent to Congress copy of an order
issued by Gen. Otis and just received here
providing for system of civil municipal
government Ia the Philippines and for the
election of municipal officers by the peo-
pie. The order says in part:
1T is with great satisfaction that the
United States authorities. in consonance
with former promises, promulgate 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
spirit and the principles of autonomous
government. II is in itself educating 1t
is calculated to urge on the people In the
path of true progress, IL they are desirous
to understand their duties as free citizens
and make legitimate use of their privi-
ieges.
For the first time the Philippine peo-
pie are to exercise the right of suffrage
in the election of municipal officers a
right only slightly restricted by condt-
tions which have been imposed for the
purpose of rewarding as well as encour-
aging the people in their just and nat-
ural aspirations, to become educated and
worthy to enjoy all the benefits of civil
zatlon.
with the municipalities a really au-
tonomous and decentrahzed municipal
government will be established In the
towns, since no provincial assembly is
created in the capitals of the provinces or
districts, and each municipality is the
| legitimate administrator of the interests
of the town, and will keep, preserve and
expend for the public welfare the munich
pal funds"
United States Intentions.
After further explaining the general
purposes of the law, the order proceeds:
"A reading of the provisions of the law
| clearly demonstrates the purpose. ten
denotes and the benehcent intentions of
| the United States government. Natural
| ly, IL is impossible to frame legal pro-
visions which are perfect, but these are
susceptible of future Improvement In or
| DER Indt tney meet uctcbbittcS uhu
| keep pace with the development in politi-
| cal knowledge of the Philippine people
with whom now rests the creation of mi-
inequalities which shall faithfully admin
| lister their interests and protect their
rights and liberties"
| 1t Is added that II, notwithstanding the
| prudent foresight of the United States
| government errors should occur and
| abuses should be committed by the local
| officials, the abuses will be strongly re-
| pressed under the penal law.
| The provisions are divided into chap
! ters, showing in detail the powers of the
alcades, municipal councils and other Of
| fcers and bodies The councils number
| from eight to eighteen according to the
size of the town. The electors must be
male persons % years of age or over"
| who have resided In the town six months
! and are not subjects of any foreign pow
| err It Is also condition Of being an efec-
| tor that person should have held one
of certain designated offices. or pay thir-
ty pesos taxes annually, or speak, read
and write English or Spanish.
| The elector also must take and sub
scribe to an oath embodying the forego-
ing and stating "T recognize and accept
| the supreme authority of the United States
| of America and will maintain true faith
and allegiance thereto" etc. Most of the
| order is given 20 details of administering
| the towns.