The Savannah morning news., 1900-12-09

officers under whose supervision municipal
governments were being organized IN the
District, decided that Vigan was the most
favorable place TO try the nrst expert
men az election.
Since the American authorities assumed
control. the previous elections had been
conducted according 10 the method OF the
former government: by viva voce vote OF
Tie residents. This had its defects En-
tEusiasm was rampant at the election.
Tom cficials were duly chosen and took
the oath OF fealty &C the United States
and s,ralghtway began 10 further the In
tsIests Of the insurgents in various ways.
ia the innocence OF their hearts the Amer
loan supposed that an oath meant some
ming 20 the Fil.pinos. so Il does when
tacked by fear Of death and most OF the
newly elected officials had long before
bound themselves by the blood oath OF
che hatpuuan Society. the secret orgNni-
se+ion OF the Insurgents, which by judi
eiaus policy OF thr0at-cutung has firmly
Implanted In The minds Of its followers
me c3nviction thst vocation Of its cath
IS not conducive 10 longevity. Treachery
10 The Americans mean short term IN
prison. treachcTy 60 the Katipunan meant
q knife thrust tn the back or an abduc-
uan With highly unpleasant consequences.
lne choice was obvious 10 the Fihpnos
mind. particularly after a few object les
tans in the shape Of dead or missing town
officials who had failed 70 accede 10 the
demands OF the insurgents
Local Officials served Both sides.
Thus It came about that most OF the
towns bad dual government. the head
~ each being IN many cases the same
person One was The de jure open govern
fent upheld by the American troops and
ne other The de fscto government secretly
maintained 10y che insurgents. Owing 10
me apparent poverty Of some towns the
american authorities found It exceedingly
olihcult for their agents TO collect the few
dollars needed 10 pay the pistance due the
police lthe salary Il which Ia one town
vas only Nifty cents "a man per monthly
"hereas money was easily raised by the
same agents Cor the insurgents
4aese dual governments could not 60 on
NninisruPtedly. forever II was finally
eecided 70 inaugurate new municipal
governments IN Northern Luzon based on
mo American system, but with suffrage
~ restricted that intelligent and loyal
men might be chosen. This could be ac-
eofupllshed only by preventirg the densely
'FHqrant and Vicious from voting.
Difficulties were enc ountered from the
t-st Many OF the more influential men
ei the city seemed 10 favor the now
feneme and admilted that Il promised
tstiar results than the old method. but
~ united Ia seeking every excuse Tor de-
cav They were afraid or the Ka4punan
t.e.9ty's vengence upon any who took up
M.fa American ways Finally a number
or he prominent citizens agreed to do
iH"lr part IN the election II the authorities
would promise them the protection Of the
american garrison. Al the frst step, how
ever. there was more trouble. Nobody
wanted 10 serve on the election board.
ibis service. they felt. would mark them
at leaders IN the American movement
ana The Katipunan would do the rest
some o. tho excuses offered were child
I'VE ono man OF wealth. who had pToba-
1s dozen servants ia his house. save
Is be excuse for not serving that ne had
sick mother al home and that u ne
served on the board and wasn't around
give her medicine regularly his poor
''ther would die. Finally, however an
colon board, composed q three excel
Ut representative men was chosen. inc
'iiy Of the hoard consisted In inqulring
mo The qualification of the electors. reg
NJ and administering the oath OF
elegance 10 such as were found qualified,
hooking an alpha betical list Of those found
qualified. listening 10 and deciding On
mplaints OF the registry list. holding
Pc election and making due return Of
same
Qualifications Tor Suffrage.
o catltlc him 10 vote an elector mus'
,.Lner isi have held municipal executive
once previous 70 August ists. or snd'
nsfc pa.d annually - pesos Of taxes;
ard be able 20 read. write and speak
slsh or Spanish. Every voter was re
-lred 10 be- o male person 81 3 years ~
legal resident or the city for six
aihs and free from allegiance 10 any
cisn power. As Spanish was the writ
a language OF the country. u would
I'm that a city with the ADVANTAGE OF
''%An would have a large number Of cleo