The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-18

The many different degrees OF civilization and
varieties Of custom and capacity among the
people OF the different islands preclude very
definite instruction as to the part which the
people shall take in the selection Of their own
officers; but these general rules are to be oh.
servedi That in all cases the municipal officers,
who administer the local affairs OF the people,
are to be selected by the people, and that
wherever officers Of more extended jurisdiction
are TO be selected in any way, natives Of the
islands are TO he preferred, and IL they can
be found competent and willing TO perform the
duties, they are 20 receive the ofices in prefer.
ence to any others
The officials.
II will be necessary to all some Offices for
the present with Americans which after a time
may well be filled by natives OF the islands. As
soon as practicable q system for ascertaining the
merit and fitness OF candidates for civil Office
should be put in force. An indispensable quail
ication for all offices and positions Of trust
and authority in the islands must he absolute
and unconditional loyalty to the United States,
and absolute and unhampered authority and
power to remove and punish any officer devist.
ing from that standard must at all times be re.
| tancd in the hands Of the central authority OF
| the islands.
In all the forms OF government and admins.
/ trative provisions which they are authorized to
that the government which they are establish
| ing is designed not for satisfaction, or for
| the expression OF our theoretical views, but for
the happiness, peace and prosperity Of the Philip
| pine islands, and the measures adopted should
| be made to conform to their customs, THEFT
habits, and even their preIudices, to the fullest
extent consistent with the accomplishment oI
the indispensable requisites Of Just and effective
| government.
| At the same time the commission should beai
| in mind, and the people Of the islands should
| be made plainly TO understand that there arc
| certain great principles OF government which
| have been made the basis Of our governmental
| system which we deem essential to the rule o
| law and maintenance Of individual freedom
and Of which they have, unfortunately, beer
| denied the experience possessed by us; thai
there are also certain practical rules OF govern
| ment which we have found to be essential t
| the preservation Of these great principles o
| liberty and law, and that these principles anC
| these rules Of government must be established
and maintained in their islands for the sak'
OF their liberty and happiness, however muci
they may conflict with the customs or laws o
procedure with which they are familiar.
Principles and Rules.
II is evident that the most enlightened though
Of the Philippine islands fully appreciates tn
importance Of these principles and rules, an
| they will inevitably within short time com
mand universal assent. Upon every division an
branch OF the government OF the Philippines
therefore, must be imposed these inviolable rules
That no person shall be deprived OF life, lib
erty, or property without due process OF law
that private property shall not be taken for pub
lie use without Just compensation; that in al
criminal prosecutions the accused shall enio
the right to a speedy and public trial. TO be IN
formed Of the nature and cause Of the accuse
ton, 10 be confronted with the witness agains
him, to have compulsory process for obtainin
witnesses in his favor, and to have the assist
ance Of counsel for his defense; that eXcessv
bail shall not be required, nor excessive fine
| imposed nor cruel and unusual punishment II
ficted; that no person shall be put twice
| jeopardy for the same offense, or be compelle
| in any criminal case to be witness against hin
self: that the right to be secure against VI
reasonable searches and seizures shall not be vic
lated: that neither slavery nor involuntary SCI
vitudc shall exist except as a punishment fC
crime; that ne bill OF attainder, or ex-posttact
law shall be passed; that no law shall be passe
abridging the freedom Of speech or OF ii
press, or the rights Of the people to peaceabl
assemble and petition the government for r.
dress Of grievances: that no law shall be mat
respecting an establishment Of religion or PR
hibiting the free exercise thereof, and that q
free exercise and enjoyment Of religious profe
sion and worship without discrimination or pre-
erence shall forever be allowed.