The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-04

eifcation and the institution of local gov
ernments within the lines of authority
and law.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have SUCCESS
FUZZY controlled the greater part of the
Islands, overcoming the organized forces
of the Insurgents and carrying order and
administrative regularity to all quar-
ters What opposition remains is for the
most part scattered, obeying no con-
certed plan of strategic action, operating
only by the methods common to the ira
diti0ns OF guerrilla warfare which, while
ineffective to alter the general control
now established, are still sufficient to be-
get insecurity among the population that
have felt the good results of our control.
and thus delay the conferment upon them
OF the fuller measures of local self-gov-
eminent, of education and of industrial
and agricultural development which we
stand ready to give to them.
BY the spring OF this year the effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to
the authority Of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
for the extension of stable administra-
ton over much of the territory of the
arehipslago; Desiring to bring this about.
mission composed of the Hon. William
II. Taft. of Ohio; Prof Dean c. Worces-
ter ~ Of Michigan; Hon. Luke r Wright.
mont, and Prof. Bernard Moses. of Calf
f0rnia. The aims of their mission and
set forth in instructions of April /, 1900.
addressed to the secretary of war to be
transmitted to them
For Popular Government.
In the message transmitted to the con-
gress on the 5th of December 1899 |
said. speaking of the Philippine islands:
LAS long as the insurrection continues
the military arm must necessarily be SUI
preme. But there fs no reason why steps
should not be taken from time to time
popular IN their form as fast as territory
Is held and controlled by our troops. To
this end am considering the advisable
ity of the return of the commission. or
such of the members thereof as can be
secured. to aid the existing authorities
and facilitate this work throughout the
islands.
ITO give effect to the intention thus ex-
pressed, have appointed Hon. William
II. Taft. of Ohio; Prof Dean c.. Worces-
ter, of Michigan; Hon. Luke f. Wright.
or tennessee; Hon. Henry c. Ide, of YER
mont, and Prof. Bernard Moses, of Cali
iornia, commissioners to the Philippine
Islands TO continue and perfect the work
OF organizing and establishing civil gov
ernment already commenced by the mill
tary authorities, subject in all respects
70 any laws which congress may here
THE commissioners named will meet
and act as a board and the Hon. William
r. TAFT Is designated as president of the
Of authority from military Commander
TO civil officers will be gradual, and will
occupy considerable period. Its sue
N'7Hius stNtOinpliSnfntnt ana the ma1nten-
anee Of peace and order in the meantime
VIII require the most perfect co-opera-
ton between the civil and military au-
thorities in the islands. and both should
be directed during the transition period
BY the same executive department The
commission will therefore report to the
secretary OF war apd all their action will
De subject TO your approval and control
You will instruct the commission to
proceed to the city of Manila, where they
VIII make their principal office, and
r4rfth aA xrrtlf t.st.
ernor OF the Philippine islands, whom you
Will at the same time direct to render
10 them every assistance within his pow
err In the performance of their duties
without hampering them by too specific
instructions they should In general be
en1oined, after making themselves famil-
lar with the conditions and needs of the
country, 20 devote their attention in the
hrst instance to the establishment OF
municipal governments in which the ma
tives of the island both in the cities
and in the rural communities shan be
afforded the opportunity to manage their
own local affairs to the fullest extent of
which they are capable and subject to
the least degree of supervision and con-
troll which a careful study of their ca
pacities and observations OF the workings
OF native control show to be consistent
with the maintenance of law, order and
loyalty.
Esta blishiDg Civil Control.
The next subject In order of import
ance should be the organization of gov
eminent In the larger administrative d.
visions corresponding to counties, depart
ments or provinces, in which the COM
mon interests of many or several munic-
qualities falling within the same tribal
lines, or the same natural geographical
limits. may best re subserved by a com
mon administration. WheneYer the COM
mission Is of the opinion that the condi-
ton OF affairs IN the islands is such that
the central administration may safely be
transferred from military to civil control
they VIII report the conclusion TO you.
with their recommendations as to the
form of central government to be estab-
iished for the purpose of taking over the
control
beginning with the first day of Sep
temher 1900 the authority TO exercise.
subject to my approval, through the
secretary OF war, that part of the power
of government in the Philippine islands
which Is OF a legislative nature IL 10 ln
transferred from the military governor
of the islands TO this commission, TO DO
thereafter exercised by them In the place
and stead of the military governor I'M
der such rules and regulations as YOU
shall prescribe, until the establishments
/ or the civil central government for the
islands contemplated in the last fore
guing paragraph or until congress shall
otherwise pEnviae, Exercise Of this legis-
lative authority include the making
OF rules and orders. having the effect az
law Tor the raising OF revenue By taxes
-Gutems duties and imports. the appro-
priaiion aud expenditure OF public funds
Of the island. the esta bllshment Of an
land; the establishment Of a system To
secure an efficient ctvll service the or
EanIxa ton aRd establishment of courts.
The organization and establishment of
municipal and departmental govern
rnents7 anl all other matters Of a clvil
nature for which the military govern
or Il now competent to provide hy rules
or orders OF a legislative character.
Powrr--ef Commission.
The commission will also have power
| dnrEeH-tAc same period to appoint to
office such officers under the judicial.
I educational ara civil service systems and
| III the municipal ana departmental gov
ernmcnts, as SHALL be provided for Tutu
lhs- complete Transfer % control the milf
| tary governor wtI remain the chief eEer-
utiyc head y The government on the IL.
[ lands and NiH exercise thc executive an
I thoritY now possessed ~ him and not
herein expressly assigned % the CON-
mission subject however 90 the rtiiea
and orders enacted hy the commiSst5n m
Z The exercise ~ thr legislative powers COM
feFred Hpon them Ia the meantime the
I municipal and departmental governments
VII oeHiiuue % report to the military
Z gavetnor ana - sueject 20 his aamInis-
trRtiNv supervision and control uufer
Z your direction. but that susergfaf,n 80