Passaic City record., 1900-06-09
COMMISSION In MANILA.
fudge Taft Talks Of the Work Of Es-
tablishing Civil Government,
WE REMAIN IN THE ISLANDS.

The Work of the Commission-To Grant
All SeIf-Government Consistent With
Stability and Security Suggestions
Invited From the Filipinos-No Inter-
Manila (By Cable).-The United
States transport Hancock, from San
Francisco, arrived here with the men,
bers of the Philippine Commission.
The members of General MacArthur's
staff welcomed the Commissioners on
board the Hancock. At the Palace the
Commissioners We're welcomed in a
short and forceful address. Judge
Taft, speaking regarding the powers
and future work of the Commission,
said:
"We have full instructions and ex-
tensive powers. The latter we shall
not exercise until we have had ample
time to acquire sufficient knowledge
of the situation to enable us to pro-
ceed to enact legislative changes and
reforms preliminary to the establish
ment of a stable civil government.
"Until we assume authority General
Macarthur will continue to perform
the duties and exercise the powers for
inerly performed and exercised by
General Otis, and even after we take
active and full part in the govern
ment, General Macarthur will con-
tinue as the executive head until, upon
our recommendation to President Nc
Kinley, it shall seem to the President
that the time has arrived for the ap-
pointment Of civil executive for max
ing the military forces merely auxil-
iary in carrying on the civil govern
ment, to be available only in cases Of
emergency for the suppression of law
less violence too formidable to be
overcome by the regularly organized
local police.
1--WE are aware that there are several
issues of deep interest to the Filipinos
upon which it is our duty to take ac-
ton. Some of these involve judicial
investigation and decisions upon legal
rights. Others call for the careful
exercise of political power in order
to secure equitable adjustments. Up
ON the latter class of issues we can
not now speak.
Representing the sovereignty of
the United States in the Philippines,
which it is the purpose of our Govern
ment to maintain, we are here to do
justice to the Filipinos and to secure
for them the best government in our
power and such a measure of popular
control as is consistent with the sta
bility and security of law, order and
property. We are civil officers, men
of peace. The field of our work is
necessarily confined to regions where
the armed enemy has ceased his oper-
ations. We cannot deal with armed
men. General Macarthur and the
army will do that.
"NNhen those now in arms shall have
laid them down, relying as they GER
tainly can upon the justice, generosity
and clemency of the United States,
we shall give them all full hearing
upon the policy to be pursued and the
reforms to be initiated. We purpose
to inaugurate as comprehensive a
school system throughout the islands
as circumstances will allow. I am
surprised that, Manila has not received
news regarding the Spooner BILL a
measure calculated to help us greatly
in our WORK Eere."
While in Fongkong the Commission
ers questioned Armacho and members
Of the w,althy Cortez family regard
ing Filipino affairs not covered by the
Filipho Junta there.
ii should be understood that the
foregoing declaration OF Judge Taft
is in no sense intended as procla-