The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-18
INSTRUCTIONS TO
The Philippine
Commission

Commission
Washington, Sept. 1.-THE president today
made public his instructions TO the second
Philippine commission, follows;
Executive Mansion, April !, 1900.
The Secretary of War, Washington.
Sir: In the message transmitted to the CON
gress on the 9TH of December, 1899, ] said
speaking Of the Philippine Islands ms long
as the insurrcction continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme. But there is no
reason why steps should not be taken from
time to time to naugurate governments essen
TALLY popular in their form az fast as territory
is held and controlled by our troops To this
end | am considering the advisability OF the
return of the commission, or such OF the mem
bers thereof as can be secured, TO aid the eN.
isting authorities and facilitate this work
throughout the islands"
To give effect TO the intention thus expressed
I have appointed Hon. William H. Taft, Of ohio
Professor Dean G.. Worcester, Of Michigan; Hon.
Luke |. Wright, OF Tennessee: Hon. Henry G.
lde, Of Vermont, and Professor Bernard Moses.
Of California. commissioners to the Philippine
islands to continue and perfect the work OF or
ganizing and establishing civil government al
ready commenced by the military authorities,
subject in all respects TO any laws which con-
gress may hereafter enact.
The commissioners named will meet and act
a board, and the Hon William II. TAFT IS
designated as president Of the board. 1t is
probable that the transfer Of authority from
military commanders TO civil officers will he
gradual and will occupy considerable period.
Its successful accomplishment and the mainte-
nance Of peace and order in the meantime will
require the most perfect cooperation between
the civil and military authorities in the island.
and both should be directed during the tran.
sition period by the same executive department..
The commission will therefore report to the
secretary Of war, and all their action will be
subject to your approval and control
Headquarters at Manila.
You will instruct the commission to proceed
to the city Of Manila, where they will make
their principal Office, and to communicate with
the military governor Of the Philippine islands,
whom You will at the same time direct TO rem
der to them every assistance within his power
in the performance of their duties. Without
hampering them by too specific Instructions
they should in general be enioined after max
ing themselves familiar with the conditions and
needs Of the country, to devote their atten
tion in the first instance To the establishment,
Of municipal governments. in which the natives
| Of the islands, both in the cities and in the
| rural communities shall be afforded the oppor
! tunity to manage their own local affairs TO th'
| fullest extent Of which they arc capable, ant
subject TO the least degree Of supervision ant
control which careful study OF their capacities
| and observation Of the workings Of native con
| troll show to be consistent with the mainte
nance Of law, order and loyalty.
| The next subject in order Of Importance shoult
| be the organization Of government in the large
| administrative divisions corresponding to coun
| ties, departments, or provinces, in which IN
| common interests Of many or several municipal
| tiles falling within the same tribal lines, o
| the same natural geographical limits, may bes
| be subserved by a common administrator
| Whenever the commission is Of the opinion tina
the condition Of affairs in the islands is suc
| that the central administration may safely b
transferred from military to civil control, the.
| will report that conclusion to you, with thei
| recommendations as to the form OF central gov
ernment to he established for the purpose o
| taking over the control.
| Beginning with the 1st day Of September, l9OO
| the authority to exercise. subject to my AZ
| nroyal through the secretary Of war; that par
| of the power Of government in the PhilipPin
| islands which is ot n legislative nature is
| he transferred from the military governor OF th
| islands to this commission, 10 be thereafte
| exercised by them in the place and stead c
| tho military governor, under such rules an
regulations as you shall prescribe, until the e'
tablishmcnt. Of the civil central government fo
the islands contemplated in the last foresoin
paragraph. or until congress shall otherwise pre-
| vide Exercise Of this legislative authority WI
| include the making Of rules and orders haVln
| the effect oi law. for the raising OF revenue b
| taxes customs duties and imposts the apprc
priatioa and expenditure Of public funds OF III
islands, the establishment Of an educational sy'
TEN throughout the islands; the establishmer
Of a system TO secure an otfclent clVll service
the organization and establishment OF courts
| Shmpnt