Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-02
Subject Treated at Great Length
by the Members.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

"A pdpti Is ueNOteu 10 the pCpuldIlOn Oh IffS
Philippines and is followed by paper de-
scriptive Of the different races that populate
the archipelago The following subjects
ere then treated in the order given: Educa-
ton. government. the judicial system. naval
matters, the clergy and religious orders,
the registration law. the law of marriage
the currency, the Chinese in the Philippines.
public health. The volume also contains a
large number of exhibits, consisting of the
preliminary report already furnished the
President. copy of President Mckinley
instructions to the commission, copy Of
the proclamation issued by the commission
at Manila, April 4. 1899: a number of letters
written by the Filipino emissaries and sent
to the commission at Manila, relating to
matters then pending before the commits
sion on the subject of a termination of the
insurrectiou. There are also several
drafts of co lstitLtions proposed by prom
inent Filipinos, one being copy of the So
called Philippine republic constitution. An
other constitution is that prepared for the
Island Of Negroes. A third paper on govern
ment in the islands was prepared by dis
tinguished native Of the islands. There is
also presented scheme of government out
lined by Palermo, leading Filipino. An
other exhibit Is a list Of the monastic hold
ings of the Philippines and a scheme for
sanitary board.
A Territorial Government.
1t presents the conclusions reached by
the commission on matters pertaining to the
Philippines, its view of industrial, social
and economic conditions, and an elaborate
plan Of government. The commission de-
clares it's belief that at present the islands
need the protection of the United States.
1t believes that the real desire OF the ma
jority of the inhabitants of the islands
is for a guarantee Of the human rights
which belong to them, but were denied
under the rule of Spain. The commission
discusses at great length different propo-
sitions for government of the islands and
calls particular attention to the question
whether or not the Philippine possessions
shall be one commonwealth or a confeder-
alton, and recommends complete terrific
rial government with governor appointed
by the President of the United States.
The report in its plan of government
says:
That it will be safe and expedient and
desirable to grant to the inhabitants of the
In local affairs. Their towns should enjoy
substantially the rights, privileges and i'm
munities of towns in one of the territories
Of the United States AS to the provinces.
the commission is of the opinion that they
should be turned into counties and vested
with substantially the same functions as
those enjoyed In a county in one of the
territories of the United States. This sys-
tenn might be applied to LuZon and the Wis
ayan Islands at once, with some executions
though 1nconsfderable, in the mountain re-
g1ons, and beginning might also he made
on tne coast or MiEdanao, while the Sulu
archipelago, calling for special ARRANGEMENT
with the sultan. need not be considered in
this connection. 1t is, of course intended
that the Fflipinos themselves shall subject
10 the general laws which may be enacted
IN TINS regard, manage their own town and
county affairs by the agency Of their own
officers. whom they themselves elect. with
no contribution to this work from Ameri-
can officials, except what is implied In the
COnCentinn nf int
control on the part of the central govern
ment at Manila.
Restricted Suffrage.
The suffrage should be restricted by edu-
cational or property qualifications, or per-
haps even both. The system will necessf-
tate small body Of American officials of
great ability and integrity, and of much
patience and tact in dealing with other
races. They may be called advisers. resi-
dents or commissioners One such commits
sioner for every 100000 natives should suf-
flee. 1t would be the duty of the commits
sioners to make regular reports of their
work to some department of the govern
ment at Manila, presumably the Secretary
OF the Interior. Their main function would
be to advise the county and town officials
in the proper discharge Of their duties. In
watching the collection of local revenue and
controlling its expenditure the commission
erS would find the most important portion.
u SaheAA uulicos
Against a PrOtectorate
Argument is made against a system of
government by protectorate, as entertained
by the insurgent leaders, under which they
should enjoy all the powers of an indepen-
dent. sovereign government, and the Amer
cans should assume all obligations to for
eign nations for their good use Of those
powers. This would create an impossible
situation for the United States Internal
DOMINION and external responsibility must
go hand in hand.
Undoubtedly" says the report, "the rails
ing OF the American flag in the Philippine
Islands has entailed great responsibilities
upon US: but to guarantee external protec-
tion While renouncing internal dominion is
no way OF escaping from them On the con-
trary, while you pull down the flag Won
only pile up difficulties"
The forms Of British colonial government
are discussed at length. and it is shown
that none OF them would be applicable to
the present case.
Model Government.
A territorial government as a model for
the Philippines is discussed as follows:
There is now only one kind of territory
in the United States, apart from thu unor-
ganized territory of Alaska But orig
inally and for long time there were terri
tories OF the first class and territories of
the second class.) The fundamental differ
ence was that in the former the legislatures
were elected by the people; in the latter
appointed by the President. In the orji.
nance of 1857 it was provided that in the
Northwest territory the governor and
judges should make laws by selection from
state statutes. Louisiana-all that territory
west OF the Mississippi, from the Gulf Of
Mexico to the Lake of the Woods. Extend
Ing Indefinitely westward-was the first ter
ritory acquired beyond the original limits
of the United States, and after the tenn
porary regime authorized by Congress in
1903 an elaborate scheme OF ORGANIZATION
was framed, which, becoming law In 1904
has been the model for all subsequent bills
of territorial organization" That act is
set forth in full by the commission 1t pro-
vides for the appointment OF a governor
and secretary Of the treasury of the ter
ritory and defines their powers. It vests
the legislative powers in the governor and
in thirteen Of the most fit and discreet per
sons Of the territory. to be called the Iegis-
lative council, who shall be appointed an
nually by the President of the United
States. The governor. by and with the adj
vice and consent of the legislative council,
or majority Of them. shall have power to
alter, modify or repeal the laws which may
be in force at the commencement of this
act. Courts are also provided for.
This v Jefferson he