Gilpin observer., 1900-12-06

liam II. Taft is designated as president
of the board. 1t is probable that the
transfer of authority from military
commanders to civil officers will be
gradual and will occupy considerable
period. Its successful accomplishment
and the maintenance of peace and or
der in the meantime will require the
most perfect cooperation between the
civil and military authorities in the is
land, and both should be directed dur
ing the transition period by the same
executive department. The commission
will, therefore, report to the secretary
of war, and all their action will be sub
ject to your approval and control. You
will instruct the commission to proceed
to the city of Manila, where they will
make their principal office, and to conf
municate with the military governor OF
the Philippine islands whom you will
at same time direct to render to them
every assistance within his power in
the performance of their duties. With
out hampering them by too specific in
structions they should be enjoined, af-
ter making themselves familiar with
the conditions and needs of the coun-
try, to devote their attention in the first
instance TO the establishment of mu-
tives of the islands. both in the cities
and in the rural communities, shall be
afforded the opportunity to manage
their own local affairs to the fullest eX-
tent of which they are capable and
subject to the least degree of superVls-
ion and control which Il careful study
of their capacities and observations Of
the workings of native control show to
be consistent with the maintenance OIL
law, order and loyalty.
GOVERNMENT PROGRESS.
1.-THE next subject in order of impor-
tance should be the organization of
government in the larger adminiStra-
tive divisions, corresponding to coun-
ties, departments or provinces. IN
which the common interests of many
or several municipalities falling with
in the same tribal lines, or the same
natural geographical limits, may best
be subserved by common administra-
tion. Whenever the commission is OF
the opinion that the condition of affairs
in the islands is such that the central
administration may safely be transfer
red from military to civil control, they
will report the conclusion to you, with
their recommendations as to the form
ol W Dt tst<ip-
lished for the purpose of taking oves
the control.
Beginning with the first day of Sep
tember, 1900, the authority to exercise,
subject to my approval through the
secretary of war; that part of the pow
er of government in the Philippine ISL
ands which is of n legislative nature is
to be transferred from the military
governor of the islands to this COM
mission. to be thereafter exercised by
them in the place and stead of the mill
tary governor. under such rules and
regulations as YOU shall prescribe, I'M
til the establishment of the civil CEN
trail government for the islands contem-
plated in the last foregoing paragraph,
or until Congress shall otherwise pro-
vide. Exercise of this legislative au-
thority will include the making Of
rules and orders. having the effect Of
law, for the raising of revenue by
taxes, customs and imposts; the appro-
priation and expenditure of public
funds of the islands; the establishment
of an educational system throughout
the islands; the establishment of a sys-
TEN to secure an efficient civil service;
the organization and establishment of
courts: the organization and establish
governments and all other matters of n
civil nature which the military COVER
nor is now competent to provide by
rules or orders of legislative charac-
ter.
I'm all of the forms of government
and administrative provisions which
they are authorized to prescribe the
commission should bear in mind that
the government which they are estab-
fishing is designed not for our satisfac-
ton -or the expression of our theoreti-
cal views, but for the happiness, peace
and prosperity of the people of the
Philippine islands, and the measures
adopted should be made to conform to
their customs, their habits and even
their prejudices to the fullest extent
consistent with the accomplishment of
the indispensable requisites of just and
effective government.
ADVICE TO FILIPINOS.
AT the same time the commission
should bear in mind, and the people of
the islands should be made to plainly
understand that there are certain great
principles of government which have
been made the basis of our government
system. which we deem essential to the
Tule Oh INV anu tle maintenance OF III
dividual freedom and of which they
have. unfortunately, been denied the
experience possessed by MS; that there
are also certain practical rules of gov
ernment which we have found to he es-
sential to the preservation of these
great principles of liberty and happi-
ness, however much they may conflict
with the customs or laws of procedure
with which they are familiar
1T Is evident that the most cnlight-
cned thought of the Philippine islands
fully appreciates the Importance of
these principles and rules, and they
will inevitably within short time
command universal assent.
WORK OF THE COMMISSJnN