The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-13


TIE peaker devoted many minutes
IN re.teratl0n Of his former state
monts pc to the inability Of the Fiji
pluos TO govern themselves. He "a
cl.red them to be of the mental cali-
ber Of children, to be ind0lent aud
capable of instruction by example
Only. American labor need fear 20
competition from the Filipino.
HOW TO RULE THE FLIPINOs.
For the government of the islands
Mr.. Beveridge had several recon-
mendations to make.
For the Sulu group the strictest
military government was necessary
sud for an iudefnIte time.
"The inhabitants Of Sulu, Paluan
and Mndanao can never be made TO
work, can never be civilized, said
Mr.. Beverldge. "But whether they
will Withstand civilization or disap
pear before il, our duty is PLAIN"
AS to all the other islands, the
Senator continued, the government
must be simple. strong aud effective,
aud outlined the needed form as fol-
lows:
There must be Philippine Office in
the Department Of State; an Ameri-
can governor.general in Manila, with
power to meet daily emergency; pos
slbly an advisory council, with no
powers beyond discussion OF measures; F;
An American lieuteUant governor in
each province, with p council about
him, If possible, an American resi-
dent in each district, with council;
frequent aud unsnnouuced visits OF
provnclsl governors to the districts of
heir province; periodical reports to
the governor. general.
An American board Of visitation to
make semi-snnual trips to the arcti-
pelsRo to report and recommend TO
he Philippine Office of our State De.
partment; Philippine Cffiee Of our
State Department; Philippine civil
service, with promotion for efficiency;
he abolition of duties on exports
from tho Philippines; the establish.
meut of import duties on a revenue
basis, with such discrimination in
favor Of American imports as will
prevent the cheaper goods of other
nations from destroying American
trade; complete reform of local
taxation on a just aud scientific basis,
oeginUiDg with the establishment of
tax on land according to its as
sessed value; the minting of abund-
ant mouey for the Philippine and
Oceutial use; the granting of fran
chises and concessions upon the
theory Of developing the resources OF
the archipelago upon the participa
uon in the profits of the enterprise;
the formation Of a system Of public
schools with compulsory attendance
rigidly enforced; the establishment of
the E0gllsh language throughout the
islands, teaching it exclusively in the
schools and using it, through inter
prefers exclusively in the courts; q
simple civil code, and still simpler
criminal code; American judges for
al but smallest offeuses; 10 promise
whatever of the franchise until the
people have been prepared for il; all
this backed by the necessary force to
execute it. This government the
situation demands as soon as tran
guilty is established Until then
military government is advisable.
CHARACTER OF GOVERNORS.
A protectorate is not practicable.
The men we send to govern the Phil.
lippines must be themselves the
highest examples Of civilization, and
examples they must be in the high
est sense. They must be men of the
world and of affairs, students of their
fellow-men; not theorists nor dream
ers. They must be brave men, ply
sically as we'll as morally. The y
must be as incorruptible IS honor, as
stainless as purity, men whom no
force csn frighten, no influence
coelca, no money buy Such men
come high, even here in America.
But they must be had.
Such administrators can be found.
There is one in Cuba now, who, with
the words money is not every.
thing" refused 100000 q year as
president of q corporation that he
might continue the work Of our race
in the regeneration of Santiago.
And among our S0,000.000 we have
thousands like him. | know we'll
that most valuable class Of American
citizens-the precinct committeeman
and party workers. II we truthfully,
bravely state the situation at the
outset, these very politicians will in
sist, most streuuously of all, on the
highest possible qualification in the
administration of our possessions.
RIGHT TO HOLD ISLANDS.
Mr.. Beveridge declared that the
Declaration of Independence had no
application to the present situation.
It was, ne said, written by men who,
for a century and a half, had been
experimenting in self-government
on this continent. The declaration
applies only to people capable of
self.goverDment. The declaration did
not contemplate that all government
must have the consent of the govern
ed.
Mr.. Beveridge declared that con.
stitutionsl power to govern in the
Philippines could not be success
fully opposed and pointed to Florida,
Louisiana and Alaska. There could
be no geographical Interpretation
of the Constitution. No degree of
longitude fixed constitutional limita-
tions.
BRIGHT DREAM OF EMPIRE.
Mr. Bsveridge's eloquence here
took this form;
MOI Nol The ocean unites US;
steam unites us; electricity unites us;
all the elements of nature unite us to
| :. i .x.ka q