The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-09-22
PLANS FOR PHILIPPINES.
Scheme of Government as Outlined
by President Mckinley to
the Commission.

Washington, Sept. ia synopsis of
the principal points in President Nc
Kinley's plan for the government of
the Philippines, as contained in his let
ter of instructions to the Philippine
commission, is given as follows:
The instructions cover many points
among which are the establishment of
municipal and larger administrative gov
ernments; the employment OF natives in
public offices whenever possible; the as
sumption on September of the legislative
feature of the government of the islands
by the commission; the establishment as
rapidly as possible of educational facilities
in both native and English languages; the
establishment of courts for a just and
speedy execution of justice; the absolute
separation Of church and state; simpli-
fication of the taxation laws, and the treat
ment to be accorded the savage tribes.
The president outlines the duties of the
commission as first:
1.-THE establishment of municipal govern
ments, in which the natives of the islands,
both in the cities and in the rural COM
munities, shall be afforded the opportunity
to manage their own local affairs to the
fullest extent of which they are capable,
and subject to the least degree of super
vision and control which careful study
OF their capacities and observation of the
workings Of native control show TO be con-
sistent with the maintenance OF law, order
and loyalty"
Next he proposes the grouping of the
municipal governments into larger admin
istrative divisions, corresponding to coun-
ties or provinces.
While the commission is instructed to
fill as many offices as possible with natives
so far as their qualifications will permit
the president realizes that for time there
are some offices which will have to be filled
by Americans"
The commission is Instructed to investi-
gate the subject Of taxation, and torso
modify existing laws If necessary as to
mitigate any existing evil tending to penal
ize or repress industry and enterprise, and
to make the provisions tor taxation simple
so that they may be easily understood by
the people.
The letter concludes:
THE articles of capitulation of the city
of Manila on the 18th Of August, 1898, con-
cluded with these words:
This city, its inhabitants, its churches
and religious worship, its educational es-
adjustments, and its private property of
all descriptions, are placed under the spe-
cial safeguard Of the faith and honor of
the American army
II believe that this pledge has been faith
fully kept. AS high and sacred an obliga-
ton rests upon the government of the
United States to give protection for prop
erty and life civil and religious freedom,
and wise, firm and unselish guidance in
the paths Of peace and prosperity to all
the people Of the Philippine islands. /
charge this commission to la Dor for the full
performance Of this obligation, which con-
Germs the honor and conscience OF their
country, in the firm hope that through their
labors all the inhabitants of the Philippine
islands may come to look back with graft
tude to the day when God gave victory to
American arms at Manila and set thei.
land under the sovereignty and the pro-
lection of the people of the United States