Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-09-20

:
tify active 4ntervsntio Of our govern.
iment Or some other.
Y Business Interrupted by war IL much
improved an peace extends, but invest
ment OF new capital Ii retarded by
doubt concerning the policy Of the
United States. In Negroes more sugar Is
in cultivation than ever before. New
forestry regulations give impetus to
timber trade and reduce the high price
of lumber. Cultivation Of rice in some
provinces is retarded by loss of draft
cattle thru disease and war. Meat Is
now Is cents a pound. Customs collec-
stiohs for last quarter were 80 per cent
greater than ever In Spanish history,
and August collections show further In
crease. Total revenue for same period
was one-third greater than any quarter
under Spain, tho the Cedular tax, the
chief source of Spanish revenue, has
been practically abolished. Economy
and efficiency of military government
have created surplus fund of six mil
lion Mexican dollars, which should be
expended in much needed public works,
notably the Improvement of Manila
harbor the conditions of which, with
consequent delay and expense in land-
ing goods, is greater embargo on busi-
ness than many nearly prohibitory tar
If rates inherited from Spain and still
operative.
With proper tariff and facilities Ma
Mia will become the great port of the
orient. Spanish revenue laws throwing
the buraenof taxation on the poor give
the wealthy comparative immunity.
Tariff row prevents importations from
America of canned goods. machinery
and other necessaries. The Spanish in
land revenue was chiefly derived from
poll tax. tax on small business. fishing
licenses and the like, but no land tax.
We are formulating laws remedylng
these evils and are confident that by
judicious customs laws. reasonable ad
valorem land tax and proper corpora
Istion franchise tax. imposition OF no
greater rate than that in the average
American state will give less annoy
ance and with peace Will produce reve-
nue. sufficient to pay expenses of EN-
cient government. including military
and constabularN. Bad conditions OF
Ecurrency hinder business.
Steps should be taken towards early
Presumption of gold standard. Are pre-
pairing stringent civil service law Civ
&. =
ling equal opportunity to Filipinns and
Americans. With preference for former
where qualifications are equal to enter
at lowest rank and by promotion reach
head of department. Municipal corpora
l&tions are being organized on popular
basis Much needed reform in civil and
criminal procedure: criminal code and
| judicial system favored BY Filipino bar
Ewill be effected. Railroad franchises
should at once be granted Railroads
will revolnlionize life and business in.
these Wonderfully rich. beautiful and
healthful tropical islands. Forty five
i5miles of railroad extension under nego-
tiation will give access TO large PROV
isince rich IN valua Bile minerals. mile
Thigh. with strictly temperate climate
curing tropical diseases. Railroad con-
struction viii give employment 10 many
and communication will furnish market
/ lands Calls from all parts of the is
lands for public schools, school sup.
plies and English teachers are greater
THAN the commission can provid. until
comprehensive school system is ryan
4 lied. Night schools for teaching Eng
llish to adults are being established in
response TO popular demand. Native
lchildren show aptitude in learning
4 English. Spanish is spoken By q small
fraction of the people. and in 4 few
years the medium of communication in
4 the courts. public offices and between
different tribes viii be English. Crea-
ton of central government within eigh-
4 teen months. like that Of Porto Rico.
under which substantially all rights de-
4 scribed in bill of rights in federal cons
.Estitution are to be secured to the peo-
4 pie Of the Philippines. will bring to
them contentment. prosperity. educa-
A ton and political enlightenment.
WILLIAM H. TAFT
DEAN G. WORCESTER.
LUKE f.. WRIGHT.
HENRY @, IDF,.
z. BERNARD MOSES.