The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-22
CIVIL GOVERNMENT PLAN.
Provisions of General Orders No. 40
Issued by Otis.

Issued by Otis.
Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
MANILA, April 10-The interest as well
as the hope of Manila is conferred in the
civil commission. The general public knows
little of the details of the commissions pro-
gramme and there prevails the impression
that it will establish good civil govern
ment in the islands and that we shall soon
enjoy the privilege of living under laws
instead of individuals; that shall have
courts of equity. and that native and for
eign rights shall receive due consideration
and protection. The native element is over
joyed at the prospect of civil authority and
control: already preparations making
to welcome the commission with music,
speeches and general jollity.
Into the midst of these hopeful feelings.
rejecting as they undoubtedly do, GER
tain satisfaction at the promised passing
of the military as civil governors, the mill
tary authorities launch a twenty-two-page
booklet entitled General Orders No. 49,,
In which they set forth the details Of their
plan for the immediate establishment of
civil municipal governments in the Philip
pines.
On JAM g. a board composed of several
American army officers and several prom
inent Fiiipinos, with Cayetano Arellano,
chief justice of the Philippines, as presi-
dent. was appointed to submit form of
municipal government for such of the
municipalities of the islands as are pre-
pared to adopt representative control over
their own civil affairs, and which may be-
come applicable to others as soon as they
demonstrate a fitness for self-administra-
ton. General Otis, considers the report
made by this board to be satisfactory and
in General Orders No. 40. under date of
March %. he made it a law.
The details Of the regulations as ex-
pressed in No. 40. are conceded to be ex-
cellent; they compilation of the best
Of two or three codes of municipal law,
wisely made applicable to local conditions.
tude and freedom than they have ever be-
fore enjoyed. In chapter one, of the enact
ment, II Is stated that the former town
boundaries shall be maintained. that duly
manila Is exempt from this provis.on);
that municipal officers are elected for a
term of two years and that the towns of
the islands shall be divided into four
than 1900 inhabitants.
In Chapter 2, the matter of suffrage is
determined as follows: Those who. prior to
Municipal Captain. Gobernadorilio. Lieu
tenant or CaheZe de Barangay; those who
annually pay 80 pesos C15 in gold, or more
of the established taxes; those who speak
read and write English or Spanish.
MUST TAKE ALLEGIANCE OATH
The tax clause shuts out many of the
poorer CidSecS anu the language TeSIr1c-
ton prevents from voting hundreds of
thousands of natives who only talk dia-
lects. Both clauses are considered fair and
just and 1t is estimated that their enforce
ment will accord the suffrage to about
10 per cent Of any given community. The
fact that each elector must take oath of
allegiance to the United States is stated
In this chapter. In so much as every FIJI
ipino living outside of Manila is In more
or less danger Of assassination by his
countrymen IL he takes the oath Of al
legiance to our country, and the truth of
this statement is attested by the almost
daily killing. in one part or another of
the islands. of men who have evidenced
their good will toward us, this clause will
prevent many men from qualifying to vote
unless between now and the time Of the
first election a most radical change comes
over the feelings of the natives
Chapter 3 is devoted to a description OF
the qualifications and duties of the mu-
nicfpal council. OF which there shall be
elected. eighteen for towns of first-class,
fourteen for those OF the second. ten for
those OF the third and eight for those OF the
fourth class. The duties Of these councils
embrace the administration OF police,
health plantattcns, irrigation i've stock.