Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-12-06
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR, ABILENE. ;,,,u
, i900.-TWELvE PAGES.

commission to labor for the full per-
Torrance 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 gratitude to the day when God gave
victory to American arms at Manila ana
set their lands under the sovereignty and
the protection Of the people OF the
United States.
This commission. composed Of eminent
citizens representing diverse geograph-
ical and political interests Of the count
try. and bringing to their task the ripe
fruits Of long and intelligent service In
educational, administrative and judicial
careers, has made great progress from
the outset, AS early as August 81 1907
1t submitted a preliminary report, which
will be laid before the congress and from
which II appears that already the good
effects of returning order are felt; that
business, interrupted by hostllities, Is
improving as peace extends that a lar
ger area Is under sugar cultivation than
ever before; that the customs revenues
are greater than at any time during the
Spanish rule. 'Nlt economy and efficiency
in the milit administration have cre-
ated SURF lund Of $6,00O00O, available
for needed p.toic improvements; that a
stringent civil service law Is In prepara-
ton; that railroad communications are
expanding, opening up rich districts and
that a comprehensive scheme of educa-
tion Is being organized.
Later reports from the commission
show Il yet more encouraging advance
toward insuring the benefits OF liberty
and good government to the Fiipinos, in
the interest Of humanity and with the
aim of building up an enduring, sef-sup-
porting and administering communi-
ty In those far eastern seas. | would i'm
press upon the congress that whatever
legislation may be enacted In respect to
the Philippine islands should be along
these generous lines. The fortune OF
war has thrown upon this nation an UNI
sought trust which should be unselshly
discharged and devolved upon this gov
eminent II moral as well as material re-
sponslhility toward these millions whom
we have freed from an oppressive yoke,
II may be well that the main changes
which should be made in the system OF
taxation and In the body Of the laws UNI
der which the people are governed, ex-
cept such changes as have already been
made by the military government should
be relegated to the civil government
which is to be established under the aus
pieces of the commission. 1t will, how
ever be the duty of the commission to
inquire diligently as to whether there are
any further changes which ought not to
be delayed, and II 50, they are authorized
make changes, subject to approval. In do
Ing so they are to bear in mind that taxes
which tend to penalize or repress Indus
try and enterprise are to be avoided,
that provisions for taxation should be
simple, so that they may be understood
by the people; that they should affect the
fewest practicable subjects of taxation
which will serve for the general distri-
ubtion of the burden, The main body Of
the laws which regulate the rights and
obligations of the people should be main
tained with as little interference as pos
sible. Changes made should be mainly In
procedure, and In the criminal laws to
secure speedy and impartial trials, and
at the same time effective admnistra-
tion and respect for individual rights.
In dealing with the unciVilized tribes
of the islands the commission should
adopt the same course followed by con-
gress In permitting the tribes Of our
North American Indians to maintain their
tribal organizations and government, and
under which many OF those tribes are
now living In peace and contcntmont, sur
rounded by civilization to which they
are unwilling to conform, Such tribal
S ao.od w ,,,sa and arm rogujntion and
without undme mr. nettv interference. con.
slant and active effort should be exer--
Introduce civilized customs.
Upon al officers and employees or the
u,Iu DO o' i,,ross"a sense 81 Tho dmtv IN
ohsor,,o nnt merolv Tho material INF tho
uersonel ~" and soci9l rights of The people
~ tba ieIands and IN treot them with the
same courtesy and respect for their per-
sonal dignity which the people of the
limited States are accustomed to require
from each other.
,,,,,,,w,o>, ,e c,,,DntAN
OUR Oi-leAlloN 40 "'Ahp'"N'
have upon another occasion called
the Fllipnos "the wards Of the nation
our obligation. as guardian was not llght-
| ly assumed II must not be otherwise lhah
honestly fulfilled, aiming ilrst or an TO
| benefit those who have come under our
fostering care. II Is our dlllN to so treat
them that our flag may be no less Pc
loved In the mountains OF Lu]oi al,u lhe
fertile zones of Mlndahao ana Nesr9s
than II Is at home that mere as nHfS II
sna n and ' pro SsoV in every avenue Of
DEVELOPMENT. The Filpinos are n race
quick to learn ana to prom ny KNOW
ta1ohinyu Of pnutpm puruupOllg history IN
,,ia,, unuld dv a limit lo The degree Of
Wilma n'Jm' "o AND advancomeni vet within the
r ruoh ~ ~" those neonle If our duty toward
,h h"n" b ba faiihfnIlv nerlormed
'''e"' oe '"''"'"''' -. .,,,,,,
LEGISLATION FOX fOlIo hiOo'
The civil government Of Porto Rico
provided for by the act Of the congress
ANNOYED April y, 1900. is In successful
operatIon. The courts have been es-
tablished. The governor and his nss0-
clates, working intelllgently and harmo-
niously, are meeting with commendablo
success. On the 9Th Of November gen
eral election was held In the Island for
members of the legislature and the body
elected has been called to convene on the
first Monday Of December, RECON-
mend that legislation be enacted by con
gress comforting upon the secretary OF
The interior supervision over the public
lands in Porto Rico, and that he be d.
rected to ascertain the location and
quantity OF lands the title to which re-
NAMED In the crown of Spain at the date