The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-04

that island under the order of the Mill
tary Governor of July %, 1899, and after
verifying. so far as may be practicable,
the reports of the successful working of
that government they will be guided by
the experience thus acquired so far as it
may be applicable to the condition exist
ing in other portions of the Philippines.
They will avail themselves to the fullest
degree practicable, of the conclusions
reached by the previous Commission TO
the Philippines.
In the distribution of powers among
the governments organized by the Com
mission, the presumption is always to be
in favor of the smaller subdivision, so
that all the powers which can properly
be exercised by the municipal govern
ment shall be vested in that government,
and all the powers of a more general
character which can be exercised by the
departmental government shall be vested
in that government, 50 that in the
governmental system, which is the result
Of the process, the central government
of the islands, following the example of
the distribution of the powers between
the States and the National Government
of the United States, shall have no direct
administration except of matters of pure
ly general concern, and shall have only
such supervision and control over local
governments as may. be necessary to Sc
cure and enforce faithful and efficient
administration by local officers.
1.-THE many different degrees of civil
ization and varieties of custom and ca
pacity among the people of the different
islands preclude very definite instruction
as to the part which the people shall take
in the selection of their own officers
but these general rules are to be OBJ
served: That in all cases the municipal
officers, who administer the local af-
| fairs of the people, are to be selected by
the people, and that wherever officers of
more extended jurisdiction are to be Sc
lected in any way, natives of the islands
are to be preferred, and If they can be
found competent and willing to perform
the duties, they are to receive the offies
in preference to any others.
at will be necessary to fill some offices
for the present with Americans which
after time may well be filled by natives
of the islands. AS soon as practicable
a system for ascertaining the merit and
fitness of candidates for civil office should
be put in force. An Indispensable quail
ication for all offices and positions of
trust and authority in the islands must
be absolute and unconditional loyalty to
the United States, and absolute and un-
hampered authority and power to re-
move and punish any officer deviating
from the standard must at all times be
retained in the hands of the central au-
thority of the islands.
I'm all the forms of government and
administrative provisions which they are
authorized to prescribe the Commission
should bear in mind that the government
which they are establishing is designed
not for our satisfaction or for the eX
preston of our theoretical views, but
for the happiness, peace and prosperity
of the people of the Philippine Islands,
and the measures adopted should be made
to conform to their customs, their hab-
it's, and even their prejudices, to the
fullest extent consistent with the accom-
plishment of the indispensable requisites
of just and effective government.
sat the same time the Commission
should bear in mind, and the people of
the islands should be made plainly to I'M
derstand that there are certain great
principles of government which have been
| made the basis of our governmental sys-
| tenn which we deem essential to the rule
of law and the maintenance of individual
| freedom, and of which they have, UNI
| fortunately, been denied the experience
| possessed by us; that there are also GER
| tain practical rules of government which
| we have found to be essential to the
| preservation of these great principles of
| liberty and law, and that these principles
and these rules of government must be
| established and maintained in their is
| lands for the sake of their liberty and
| happiness, however much they may con-
| f1ict with the customs or laws OF proceed
ure with which they are familiar
1T is evident that the most enlighten-
ed thought of the Philippine Islands fully
! appreciates the Importance of these prin-
| ciples and rules, and they will inevitably
| within a short time command universal
| assent. Upon every division and branch
| of the government of the Philippines,
| therefore, must be imposed these inviola-
| BILE rules:
THAT no person shall be deprived OF
| life, liberty or property without due
process of law; that private property
| shall not be taken for public use without
| just compensation; that in all criminal
! prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the
right to a speedy and public trial, to be
| informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation, to be confronted with the
/ witnesses against him, to have compul-
/ sorry process for obtaining witnesses in
his favor, and to have the assistance oil
counsel for his defense; that excessive
/ bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed nor cruel and unusual pun
| ishment inflicted; that no person shall
| be put twice in jeopardy for the same Of
Tense, or be compelled in any criminal
case to be witness against himself
that the right to be secure against un-
| reasonable searches and seizures shall
not be violated; that neither slavery mol
| involuntary servitude shall exist except
as a punishment for crime; that no bill OF
attainder or ex-post-facto law shall be
i passed; that no law shall be passed
ahridging the freedom of speech or of the
| press, or the rights Of the people tC
peaceably assemble and petition the Gov
eminent for q redress of grievances; thai