Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-12-07


'Rest:ain. craas"e!;c ml'ne,i Us rs are
injurious, ard winch a!e within feterai
jurisdiction, should be promptly applied
by the congress-
THE PHILIPPINES.
Outlines Work of the Commission and
Recommends Legislation.
In my last annual message l dwelt at
some length upon the condition of af-
fairs in the Philippines. While seeking
sponsibility of the future government of
those islands rests with the congress of
the United States, l abstained from rec
ommending at that time specific and
final form of government for the terri
tory actually held by the United States
forces and in which, as long as insur-
rection continues, the military arm must
necessarily be supreme. stated my pur-
pose, until the congress shall have made
known the formal expression of its will.
to use the authority vested in me by the
constitution and the statutes to uphold
the sovereignty of the United States in
those distant islands as in all other places
where our flag rightfully floats, placing,
and navy. all the means which the lib
crafty of the congress and the people
have provided No contrary expression
OF the Will of the congress having been
made, have steadfastiy pursued the pur-
pose SC. declared. employing the civil arm
as y, well el to, toward the accomniishment of
governments within the lines of author
ity and law.
We Are Making Progress.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have sue
the islands, overcoming The, organized
forces of the INSURGENTS and carrying
order and aidministsa,iya regularity to all
quarters. What opposition remains is for
the most part scattered, obeying no con-
certed plan of strategic action. operating
only by the methods common 70 the ira
dltlons OF guerrilla warfare, which, while
now established, are still sufficient to
p beg insecurity among the populations
control, and thus delay the conferment
upon them of the fullest measures of
local self government, of education, and
OF industrial and agricultural develop-
them.
gy the spring ri h Of this year the effective
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended, thus opening the door
fpsrd the o extension sion, of stable admins
the archipelago Desiring to bring this
about. l appointed in March last a civil
e. Taf of obia pose ne OF Hon William
OF Michigan; Hon. Luke e. Wright, of Ten
nessee; Hon. Henry c. Ide, of Vermont,
a frha Prof. Bernard Moses. of California
"a ScODe
OF their authority are clearly set forth
in my instructions of April Z, 1900. ad-
dressed to the secretary of war to be
IN the message transmitted to the con-
gress on the 5th of December 1899 I said,
speeaakin 1a, OF the Philippine islands:
the military arm must necessarily he s,,.
preme. But there is no reason why steps
should not be taken from time to time to
ihaugurate governments essentially popu-
lar in their form fast as territory is held
and controlled by our troops. To this end
am considering the advisability of the re-
members thereof as can be secnred to aid
the existing authorities and facilitate this
work throughout the islands,"
The Philippine Commission.
e gxf 65fH aet to the Intention thus ex
Taft of Ohio: Prof, Dean C. Worcester, Of
Michigan; Hon; Luke E. Wright, of Ten
n ana 81 Hon; o Henry e. Ide. Of Vermont.
commissioners to the Philippine islands te
continue and perfect the work of organic
ing and establishing civil government al
ready commenced by the military author
tiles. subject in all respects to any laws
which congress- may hereafter enact
The commissioners ami named will meet and
! is designated as president of the board. 1t
| is probable that the transfer of authority
| from military commanders to civil officers
Will be gradual and will occupy consider
| able period. Its successful accomplishment
and the maintenance of peace and order in
the meantime Will require the most perfect
cooperation between the civil and military
authorities in the island. and both should
be directed during the transition period
by the same executive department. The
commission will therefore report to the
secretary Of war, ard all their action will
be subject to your approval and control. I"
You Will instruct the commission to pro-
coed to the city of Manila, where they will
make their principal office, and to com
municate with the military governor of the
Philippine islands, whom you will at the
same time direct to render to them every
Torrance Of their duties. Without ham
pering them by too specific Instructions,
they should In general be enJoined. after
making themselves familiar with the con-
ditions and needs of the country, to devote
their attention in the first instance to the
establishment OF municipal governments,
| in which the natives of the islands. both In
the cities and in the rural communities,
shall be afforded the opportunity to man
age their own local affairs to the fullest
extent Of which they are capable and sub
ject to the least degree of supervision and
control which a careful study of their ca
pacties and observation of the workings
of native control show to be consistent
with the maintenance of law, order and
loyalty.
To Organize a Government.
The next subject in order of Importance
should be the organization of government
In the larger administratiye divisions cor:
| 3.
| provinces. in which the common interests
of many or several municipalities falling
within the same tribal lines. or the same
natural geographical limits. may best be
| Whenever the commission Is of the opinion
| that the condition of affairs In the Islands
| is such that the central administration may
safely be transferred from military to civil
control they Will report that conclusion to
| you, with their recommendations as to the
form OF central government to be estab-
ished for the purpose of taking over the
control.
| Beginning with the first day of Septem-
Der. 1900. the authority to exercise. subject
to my, approval. through the secretary of
! in the Philippine islands which is Of a
Legislative nature is to be transferred from
| the military governor of the islands to
| this commission. TO be thereafter exer-
cised by them in the place and stead of
and regulations as you shall prescribe. I'm.
lal the establishment of the civil central
government for the Islands contemplated
congress shall otherwise provide. Exer-
else Of this legislative authority will In
clude the making Of rules and orders,
revenue by taxes, customs duties and I'M
pssts; the. appropriation and expendlture
of public funds OF the Islands; the estab-
out the Islands; the establishment Of a
system to secure an efficient civil service
the organization and establishment o!
of municipal and departmental govern
ments, and all other matters OF a civil
nature for which the military governor Ia
now competent to provide by rules or or.
ders of legislative character
1 Macarthur the Chief Executive.
The commission viii also have powe,
curing the same period to appoint te
office such officers under the judicial
educational apd civil service systems and
in the municipal and departmental goV.
ernments as shall be provided for. TN: