The Van Buren press., 1900-01-20
The Bcveridye Plan.
RON the Little Rock Democrat

From the Little Rock Democrat
In his speech In the senate the other
day the greatest. strongest and most
eloquent presentation Of the views of the
imperialists thus far made by any
public man, Senator Beveridge, OF
Indiana, thus summarizes his plan Of
government for the island POSSESSIONS
I'm AL other islands our government
must be simple and strong 1t must
be a uniform government. Different
forms for different islands will produce
perpetual disturbance, because the
people Of each island would think that
the people Of the other islands are more
favored than they. In Panay | heard
murmurings that we were giving Negros
an American constitution. This Is y
human quality found even In America,
and we must never forget that In dealing
with the Filipinos we deal with children.
And 30 our government must be simple
and strong; the meaning OF those two
words must be written in every line Of
Philippine legislation realized In every
act Of Philippine administration. A
Philippine Office In our department OF
state; an American governor-general IN
Manila, with power to meet daily
emergencies; possibly an advisory
council with no power except that OF
discussing measures with the governor
general, which council would be the
germ for future legislatures, a school In
practical government; American lieu.
tenant. governors in each province, with
. like council about him II possible, an
American resident in each district, and
q like council grouped about him;
frequent and unannounced visits OF
provincial governors to the districts of
their province periodical reports " the
governor general; an American board
OF visitation to make semi annual trips
to the archipelago without power of
suggestion or interference TO officials or
people, hut only to report and recon-
mend to the Philippine Office Of our state
department.
philippine civil service with pro.
motion for efficiency; the abolition OF
duties on exports from the Philippines
the establishment Of import duties on
q revenue basis, with such discrimin'
alton In favor OF American imports as
will prevent the cheaper goods of other
nations from destroying American
trade q complete reform Of local tax
alton on a just and scientific basis, be-
ginning with the establishment Of tax
on land according to Its assessed value;
the minting of abundant money for
Philippine and Oriental use; the grant
Ing Of franchises and concessions upon
the theory Of developing the resources
OF the archipelago, and therefore not by
sale, but upon participation In the profits
Of the enterprise the formation Of u
system Of public schools everywhere
with compulsory attendance rigidly en-.
forced the establishment Of the English
language throughout the islands, teach
Ing 1t exclusively In the schools and
using 1t, through interpreters, exclusive
ly In the courts a simple civil code, and
still simpler criminal code, and both
common to all the islands, except Sulu,
Mindanao and Paluan American judges
for all but smallest offenses; gradual,
slow and careful introduction OF the
best Filipinos into the working machin.
cry OF the government, no promise what
ever of the franchise until the people
have been prepared for 1t all this backed
by the necessary force to execute II ;
this outline Of government the situpt,oa
demands NJ soon as Tranquility is es'
tablished. Until then military govern
ment Ia advisable.
ave are dealing with children when
we deal with the Filipinos, - says the
senator. II would hardly appear 80
when We look face to face with the
problem Of the insurrection. "Our
government must be simple and
strong with the accent on the strong,
A Philippine home Office at Washington,
governor generals, American lieutenant.
governors In all the provinces, an
American resident In each district and q
council grouped about him, an American
board Of visitation, etc, Yet our friends,
the expansionists, are Mortified when
this outline Of government which ap'
pears to be q mingling Of English
methods In India and reconstruction
methods In the South. Is referred to as
imperialism. II 1t IL not imperialism
pure and simple we do not know what
II IL
"Very gradual and slow introduction
Of the best Filipinos into the working
machinery Of the government and no
promise whatever Of the franchise until
the people are prepared for 1t. - How
vividly all this recalls the dealings Of
the Republican party with the people Of
the South in the days Of reconstruction.
viii 1t worki Neverl Because i, the
Filipinos are not admitted to aparticipa.
ton In the government OF their country
they will work TO that end and accom-
plish 1t rs certainly AZ the people Of the
South overthrow the reconstructionists,
Senator Beveridge is eloquent and on,