Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-04
SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.
What the Commission Is to Consider of
First Importance.

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ut will be the duty of the commission
to promote and extend, and as they
find occasion, to improve, the system Of
education already inaugurated by the
military authorities. In doing this they
should regard as Of first Importance
the extension of a system of primary
education which shall be free to all,
and which shall tend to fit the people
TOT the duties of citizenship and for
the ordinary avocations of civilized
community. This instruction should be
given in the first instance in every part
of the islands in the language of the
people In view of the great number
of languages spoken by the different
tribes, it is especially important to
the prosperity Of the islands that
common medium of communication may
be established, and it is obviously de-
sirable that this medium should be the
English language. Especial attention
should be at once given to affording
full opportunity to all the people of the
islands to acquire the use of the Eng
lish language.
ut may be we'll that the main changes
which should be made in the system of
taxation and in the body of the laws
under which the people are governed.
except such changes as have already
been made by the military governmnt
Should be RELOCATED to the civil govern
ment which is to be established under
will, however be the duty of the COM
mission to inquire diligently as to
whether there are any further changes
which ought not to be delayed, and
If so, they are authorized to mako
such changes subject to your approval
In doing SO they are to bear in mind
that taxes which tend to penalize or re-
press industry and enterprise are to be
avoided; that provisions for taxation
should be simple. so that they may be
understood by the people; that they
should affect the fewest practicable
subjects Of taxation which will serve
for the general distribution Of the bur-
den.
'The main body Of the laws which
regulate the rights and obligations of
the people should be maintained with
as little interference as possible.
Changes made should be mainly in pro-
cedure, and in the criminal laws to Sc
cure speedy and impartial trials, and
at the same time effective administra-
ton and respect for individual rights
In dealing with the uncivilized tribes
of the islands the commission should
adopt the same course followed by con-
gress In permitting the tribes of our
North American Indians to maintain
their tribal organization and govern
ment and under which many of those
tribes are now living in peace and con-
tentment, surrounded by civilization
to which they are unable or unwilling
to conform. Such tribal governments
should, however. be subjected to wise
and firm regulations, and, without I'M
due or petty interference, constant and
active effort should be exercised to
prevent barbarous practices and intro
duce civilized customs.
upon all officers and employees of the
United States, both civil and military,
should be impressed sense of the
duty to observe not merely the material
but the personal and social rights of
the islands, and to treat them with
the same courtesy and respect for their
personal dignity which the people of the
United States are accustomed to re-
nuire from each other.
THE articles of capitu,ation Of the
city of Manila on the 18th of August,
1898, concluded with these words:
".This city, its inhabitants, its
churches and religious worship. it's ed
vocational establishments, and it's pri-
waite property of all descriptions are
placed under the special safeguard of
the faith and honor of the American
army"
Il believe that this pledge has been
faithfully kept. AS high and sacred an
obligation rests upon the government of
property and life, civil and relig-
aous freedom and wise. firm and unset
fish guidance in the paths Of peace and
prosperity to all the people of the Phil
dppine islands. I charge this commits
sion to labor for the full performance
of this obligation, which concerns the
honor. and conscience of their country,
in the firm hope that through their
iabors all the inhabitants of the Phil
appine islands may come to look back
with gratitude to the day when God
gave victory to American arms at Ma
hila and set their land under the SOW
ereignty and the protection of the peo-
pie of the United States
PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY.