The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-05
Government for
The Philippines
~ HE MOST captious critic of "im-
perialism," unless he be n critic
for partisan purposes only, will
have TO admit that the scheme

II have to admit that the scheme
of government suggested for the
Philippines by the Philippine commits
sion offers to the Filipinos every rea-
sonable assurance Of justice. Let us
see just what that sceheme is We
proceed to quote somewhat literally
from n synopsis printed originally in
the New York Sun:
From the very outset it will be safe
end desirable in the opinion Of the
commission to extend to the Filipinos
larger liberties of self-gOvernment than
Jefferson approved of for the inhabi-
tants Of Louisiana, assuming that in
the Sulu archipelago, and in such por-
tions of MindanaO and Palawan as are
still occupied by tribal Indians, the
government will be conducted through
the aGency of their sultans, datos or
chiefs. 1t is the remainder of the Phil
ippine Islands. more particu lrly to
Luzon. the Visayas and the coast of
Mindanao, that the territorial form of
government is recommended for adOp-
ton. The people of these regions, un-
der suitable property and educational
qualifications. should. the commission
believes, be permitted to elect ut least
the rt"mbers Of the lower branch of
the territorial legislature. A model
constitution, prepared for the commits
sion by those Filipinos who sought
to adjust the claims of the insurgent
leaders to the right of American SOW
ereignty, and in the main indorsed by
the commission, provides for legis-
lature whose branches are designate
respectively the senate and the cham
ber of deputies. The latter is to be
composed of 10 members, elected by
the people, who are apportioned among
the eleven districts into which the con-
stitution districts the archipelago.
o.
But this constitution, which provides
for popular representation in the lower
chamber, does not make the senate or
upper house wholly elective. OF its
twenty-five members the eleven re-
gions or electoral districts are to elect
one each. and the other eleven are to
be appointed by the American gover-
nor-general. and, when appointed, to
enjoy life term. 1t would, in the
opinion of the commission, harmonize
better with American practice to have
these appointments made by the presi-
dent, and the term of Office made the
same as that of elective senator's,
which the constitution fixes at four
years. This constitution also provides
that the secretaries. or members Of the
cabinet Of the governor-general. may
be members of either chamber and, II
not members, shall have the right 10
sit and speak in either chamber. A
qualified veto power Is given to the
rsnx nry,rt -,
right to suspend any law for a year
even after its passage by a two-thirds
vote Of the legislature over his veto;
but the commission notes that under
the territorial plan of government
congress may and should retain the
right TO veto all territorial legislation
for which reason, in addition to other
good grounds, the Filipinos should, the
! commission thinks, be represented by
a delegate in congress.
The subject Of the Philippine civil
service is also fully treated, the repor,
| explaining that under the form OF gov.
ernment recommended for the Philip.
, pines by the commission, nearly all thu
| offices will, of course. be filled by Fill.
pinos themselves: and 1t is a safe and
| desirable rule that no American should
! he appointed to any office in the Phil.
/ ippines for which a reasonably quail.
fled Filipino can by any possibility b,
secured. OF course, the merit or bust
ness system must be adopted and lived
up to, The patronage or spoils system
would. in the judgment of the commits
sion, prove absolutely fatal to good
government in this new oriental terri
tory. 1t will be necessary to institute
in Manila a civil service board or com
mission, analogous to that which ex
lists In many of the states Of the Union
whose duty 1t shall be to ascertain b.
competitive examinations of a Yer,
practical character, the relative quail
fications of the Filpinos who seek ad
mission to the public service. In tn
Filipino civil service there should he
besides provisions for tests OF fitness
before appointment regulations to in
sure promotion upon merit. and tenur
Of office during efficiency and good be