Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-22

be factfonal strife between Jealous
leaders. chaos and anarchy, and will re-
quire and justify active Intervention OF
our government or some other. Bust
ness. interrupted by war. is much i'm
proved MS peace extends. but invest
ment OF new capital Is retarded by
aoupt concerning the policy of the
united States. In Negroes more sugar
Is In cultivation than ever before New
forestry regulations give impetus to
timper trade and reduce high price of
lumber Cultivation of rice in some
provinces is retarded by loss of draft
cattle through disease and war. Meat
Is now is cents a pound.
customs collections for last quarter
were 90 per cent. greater than ever in
npanisn history, and August collec-
lions show further increase. Total
revenue for same period was one-third
greater than any quarter under Spain,
tnough Cedula tax. chief source of
spanish revenue. has been practically
abolished. Economy and efficiency OF
military government have created sur
plus fund Of six millions Mexican
which should be expended in much
needed public works. notably improve
ment or Manila harbor, the conditions
or which, with consequent delay and
expense in landing goods, is a greater
embargo on business than many nearly
Prohibitory tariff rates inherited from
Spain and still operative. With PRO
per tariff and facilities, Manila will be-
come the great port of the Orient
Spanish revenue laws throwing burden
OF taxation on the poor give the
wealthy comparative immunity. Tariff
now prevents importations from
America of canned goods; machinery
and other necesSares; Spanish inland
revenue chiefly derived from poll tax.
YAK on small business, fishing license
the like. but no land tax. Are formu-
lating laws remedying these evils. and
confident that by judicious customs
laws, reasonable ad valorem land tax.
ana proper corporation franchise tax,
imposition of no greater rate than that
In the average American State will
give less annoyance, and with peace
Will produce revenue sufficient to pay
expenses of efficient government. in
Guiding military and constabulary.
Bad condition of currency binders bus
mess. Steps should be taken towards
early resumption of gold standard
Are preparing stringent civil service
law giving equal opportunity to Fill
pinos and Americans, with preferences
for former where qualifications are
equal, to enter at lowest rank and by
promotion reach head of department
Municipal corporations are being or
sanized on popular basis. Much need
ed reform in civil and criminal pro-
cedure. criminal code and judicial sys-
tenn favored by Filipino bar will be eff
fected. Railroad franchises should at
once be granted. Railroads will revo-
lutioniZe life and business in these
wonderfully rich islands. Forty five
miles of railroad extension under nego-
tiation will give access to large prov
ince rich in valuable minerals, mile
high. with strictly temperate climate,
curing tropical diseases. Railroad con-
struction will give employment to
many, and communication will furnish
market to vast stretch of rich agricul-
tural lands.
Calls from all parts Of the islands for
public schools, school supplies and Eng
fish teachers are greater than commits
sion can provide until comprehensive
school system is organized. Night
schools for teaching English to adults
are being established in response to
popular demand. Native children Show
aptitude in learning English. Spanish
Is spoken by a small fraction of the
people, and In n few years the medium
of communication in courts, public
offices and between different tribes will
be English. Creation of central gov
eminent within eighteen months, like
that of Porto Rico, under which SUBJ
stantially all rights described in Bill
of Rights in Federal Constitution are to
be secured to the people of the Philip
pines, will bring to them contentment,
prosperity, education and political en-.
lightenment.
WILLIAM II. TAFT,
DEAN C. WORCESTER,
LUKE e. WRIGHT,
HENRY C. IDE,
BERNARD MOSES. 4