Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-13
Civil Rule Now iBsFOrce

beginning with the first day of
September, 1900, the authority to ex-
ercise, subject to my approval,
through the Secretary of War, that
part of the power of government in
the Philippine Islands which is of
Legislative nature, is to be transferred
from the Military Governor of the is
lands TO this Commission, to be there
after exercised by them in the place
and stead of the Military Governor.
under such rules and regulations as
you (the Secretary of War; shall pre-
scribe until the establishment of the
civil central government for the Is
lands contemplated in the last fore
going paragraph, or until Congress
shall otherwise provide. Exercise OF
this legislative authority win include
the making of rules and orders hav-
ing the effect OF law for the raising OF
revenue 10y taxes, customs, duties
and imposts; the appropriation and
expenditure of the public funds OF
the Islands; the establishment of an
educational system throughout the
Islands, the establishment of a sys-
TEN to secure an efficient civil ser
vice; the organizati and establish
ment of courts; the organiza ton and
esta blishment of municipal and de-
partmentai governments; and all
other ma tters of civil nature for
which the Military Governor is now
competent to provide by rules or or
ders of a legislative character. The
Commission will also have power dur
ing the same period TO appoint to of
fee such officers under the judicial.
educational and civil service systems,
and in the municipal and department
al governments, as shall be provided
for"
Until Congress shall take action l
directed that
Upon every division and branch OF
the Government of the Philippines
must be imposed these inviolabie
rules:
"rhat no person shall be deprived
of life. liberty, or property, without
due process of Jaw; that private prop
erty shall cot be taken for public use
without just compensation; that in
all criminal prosecution the accused
shall enjoy the right to a speedy and
public trial, to be informed OF the ma
ture and cause of the accuse ton, to
be confronted with the witnesses
against him; to have compulsory pro-
cess for obtaining witnesses in his
favor, and to have the assistance OF
counsel for his defense; that excessive
bail shall not be required, nor ex-
cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishment inflicted; that no
person shall be put twice in jeopardy
for the same offense, or be compelled
in any criminal case to be witness
against himself; that the right to be
secure against unreasonable searches
and seizures shah not be violated
that neither slavery nor Involuntary
servftude shall exist, except as a pun
shmeRt for crime; tAat no bill of at
tainder or eX-post-facto law, shall he
passed; that no law shall be passed
abridging the freedom of speech or
of the press, or the rights of the peo-
pie TO peaceabiy assemble and petit
ton the Government for a redress of
grievances: that no law shall be made
respecting the esta blishment of re-
li2iou or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof, and that the free exercise and
enjoyment of religious profession and
worship without discrimination or
pre- ference shall forever be al
lowed.
at will be the duty of the Commits
SION to promote and extend. and, as
they find occasion, to improve the sys-
,em OF education already inaugurated
by The military authorities. In doing
This they should regard of as first
importance the extension of sys-
,e IA OF primary education which shall
be free 20 ali, and which shall tend to
fl the people for the duties of citizen
ship and for the ordinary avocations
of a civilized community. Els
peciai attention should oe at once
given to affording full opportunity TO
all the people of the islands to ac-
ouire the use of the English Ian
guage.