The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-02-22
NAMED FOR ACTION.
WORK EXPECTED or THE NEW
PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
DUTIES OF THE NEW BODY.
President Mckinley Carefully Selecting
Men OF Character and Standing Their
Duties VIII be 60 Organize Municipal
Government in the Islands and super
wise Their Work.

washington, Especial. The only refer
ence In the Cabinet meeting Tuesday to q
matter OF public Interest was as to the new
Philippine Commission. Inasmuch as the
commission will not leave this country for
six weeks or two months President McKln-
ley has been In no hurry to complete the
membership. He has been carefully seeking
men of national standing and uDquestioned
character. The duties OF the commission
will be OF the highest Importance. In Ad-
ministration circles tho new commission is
regarded rs one OF the most important ever
created. II differs great deal from the
original Philippine Commission. That body,
which Will soon be defunct, was OF IN I'D
visory nature. II was to look the ground
over, confer with the Philippine leaders and
report to the President and country what
was advisable. To all intents and purposes
this has been done.
Not for Advice, But Action.
The new commission has been created not
Tor advice, but for action. Its duty will be
to organize municipal governments here,
there and everywhere, set them going and
supervise their work TIL they are able to
stand firmly by themselves. Groups Of
municipalities will then be gathered under
provincial governments, and the provinces
In turn Will be gathered under central
authority, mt the head OF which will be q
encouragement. Tho establishment OF
such system on n sound footing will be the
task OF the new commission.
The Southern member the President has
been seeking has not been selected. Sena-
tor McLaGrin was most prominently men
toned at one time, but It has never been
known whether he would accept. Senator
Lindsay has also been mentioned. His term
expires in March, 1901, and the seat after
that Is already filled by the election OF Ex-
Senator Blackburn. but 1t Is not now be-
lieved that Senator Lindsay will take a
place, or that It will be offered to him by the
President.
A Coming Declaration.
1t is said that the President will soon de-
clare the insurrection In the Philippines at
on end so far as organized rebellion Is con-
cerned. Whether ho will issue proclama-
tion to that effect Is not known. The effect
OF his action will be the same, however. II
will be to put Aguinaldo and few insurgents
| now harrassing the American forces on the
basis OF outlaws and bandits, to be treated
as such now or at any future time they may
be captured or encountered. This will change
the future offensive operations OF the Ameri-
can troops from Il military to police char
acter. The army will be broken into detach-
ments and scattered throughout the islands
to give protection and confidence to the
| people.
1t is too far OF to determine how many
troops~wlll be withdrawn from the Islands,
but there will be a number, and the with
| drawals will increase with time.
Aguinaldo to Continue the Struggle.
| 1t is recognized In Administration circles
that Aguinaldo will try to continue desul-
tory struggle until next November, with the
hope that this may change the Presidential
election. When the President proclaims that
peace exists In the islands and that all peo-
plo must submit their controversies TO the
courts or be punished accordingly, it is
argued that the few insurgents will speedily
give in. Murder and arson will be punished
as they deserve. SO will all other crimes,
and the Filipinos who continue to intimidate
and murder natives will be treated as ban
dts and fought accordingly. No rules OF
regular warfare will be observed Recogni-
tion OF white flags and exchanges OF prison
ers will not take place.