Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-04
F1LrprNos' INTERESTS AT HEART.
Establishment of Government Not De-
signed for Our Satisfaction.

'In all the forms of government and
administration provisions which they
are authorized to prescribe the com.
mission should bear in mind that the
government which they are establish-
ing is designed not for our satisfaction,
or for the expression OF our theoretical
views, but for the happiness peace and
prosperity of the people of the Philip
pine islands, and the measures adopt
ed should be made to conform to their
customs, their habits, and even their
prejudices, to the fullest extent con-
sistent with the accomplishment OF
the Indispensable requisites of just and
effective government.
"At the same time the commission
should bear in mind, and the people of
understand, that there are certain
great principles of government which
have been made the basis Of our gov
ernmental system which we deem es-
sential to the rule of law and the main-
tenance of individual freedom, and Of
which they have, unfortunately, been
denied the experience possessed by us;
that there are also certain practical
rules of government which we have
found to be essential to the preserva-
ton of these great principles OF liberty
and law. and that these principles and
these rules of government must be es-
tablished and maintained in their ISL
ands for the sake Of their liberty and
happiness, however much they may
conflict with the customs or laws OF
procedure with which they are famil-
lar.
1t is evident that the most enlight-
ened thought of the Philippine islands
fully appreciates the Importance OF
these principles and rules, and they
will inevitably within short time
command universal assent. Upon ev-
cry division and branch of the governs
mer1t of the Philippines. therefore, must
be imposed these inviolate rules:
THAT no person shall be deprived Of
life, liberty or property without due
process Of law; that private property
shall not be taken for public use with
out Just compensation; that in all
criminal prosecutions the accused shall
enjoy the right to speedy and public
trial, to be informed Of the nature and
cause OF the accusation, to be confront-
ed with the. witnesses against him, to
witnesses In his favor. and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense:
that excessive bail shall not be re-
CURED nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishment in
ficted that no person shall be pus
twice in jeopardy for the same offense,
or be compelled In any criminal case to
be a witness against himself; that
the Fight to be secure against unreal
sonable searches and seizures shall not
De violated; that neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude shall exist except
as punishment for crime; that no bill
of attainder or ex post facto law shall
be passed; that no law shall be passed
abridging the freedom of speech or of
the press. or the rights of the people
to peaceably assemble and petition the
government for redress of grievances;
that no law shall be made respecting
an esta blishment of religion or prohib-
iting the free exercise thereof, and
that the free exercise and enjoyment
of religious profession and worship
without discrimination or preference
shall forever be allowed.
ut will be the duty of the commission
to make thorough investigation into
the titles to the large tracts of land
held or claimed by individuals or by re-
ligious orders: into the justice of the
claims and complaints made against
such land-holders by the people OF the
island or any part OF the people, and
to seek by wise and peaceable measures
a Just settlement OF the controversies
and redress of wrongs which have
caused strife and bloodshed in the
past. In the performance of this duty
the commission Is enjoined to see that
no injustice is done; to have regard
for substantial rights and equity, dis
regarding technicalities SO far as sub
stantial right permits, and to observe
the following rules:
THAT the provision of the treaty Of
Paris pledging the United States to
the protection OF al rights Of prop