New-York tribune., 1900-05-22
CIVIL RULE IN ISLANDS.
TERMS OF MILITARY REGULATIONS IN
THE PHILIPPINES.

Manila April lO-The military authorities have
published a twenty-five page pamphlet entitled
| General Orders No 40 IN which set forth
the details of the plan for the immediate estab-
lshment OF civil municipal governments in the
Philippines This idea being popular with
native and foreign residents, the action OF the
authorities in giving 10 IL publicity Is timely
and expedient.
Some Fflipinos and reason shrewdy;
ssch men have said. in discussing this order:
>, II would almost seem as If the military author
sten lTaward civil ye mnnc,pa control We're an
tcipatng the work OF the new Commission and
to give all the civil government we want
On January g 1900 Board composed of sew
eral American Army officers and several prominent
Fipinos with Cayetano Areilano, Chief Justice
of the Philippines rs president, appointed
TO submit form of municipal government for such
Of the municipalities of the islands as are prepared
to adopt representative control over their own
civil affairs and which may become applicable
to others they demonstrate a fitness
for seIf-administration. General Otis considered
the report made by this Board TO be satisfactory
and in General Orders No. 40 under date Of March
% e made II law.
details Of the regulations as expressed In Gen
eral Orders No 40 are conceded be excellent
they are compilation of the best of two or three
codes OF municipal law. wisely made applicable TO
local conditions Under these the people are granted
more latitude and freedom than they have ever
enjoyed. In Chapter I of the enactment it Is
stated that the former town boundaries shall be
maintained; that duly Incorporated towns may
sue and be sued manila is exempt from this pro
vision; that municipal officers are 70 be elected
for a term of two wears and that the towns Of the
islands shall be divided into four casses-those of
25Ooo $4,000 10000 and more than 1000 inhab-
| itants.
In Chapter II the matter Of suffrage is determined
follows:
First-Those who prior to August IL. 1888. held
the Office of Municipal Captain Giobernadorcillo
Lieutenant or Cabeza do Barangay.
|
gold or more OF the estabshed & tax [a3es write English
Spanish.
The tax clause shuts out many of the poorer
classes and the language restriction prevents from
voting hundreds of thousands of natives who only
talk dialects Both clauses are considered fair and
Just and 1t is estimated that their enforcement
will accord the suffrage about 10 cent of any
given community. The fact that each elector must
the oath of allegiance to the United states Is
stated in this chapter Insomuch as every Fill
pno living outside of Manila is in more or less
danger Of assassination by his countrymen II he
takes cath of allegiance TO the United States
land truth Of this statement is attested by the
almost daily killing in one part or another OF tue
islands of men who have evidenced their goodwill
toward America this clause will prevent many
men from qualifying vote unless between now
and the time of the first election most radlca!
change the feelings of the natives
Chapter further gives the details and laws regu
lating the electng o. officers, and declares that
elections shall take place in December and elected
January
Chapter III is devoted description of the quail
icaons and duties OF the municipal councillors. of
which there shall be elected eighteen for towns of
the class, fourteen for those of the second,
ten for those of the third and eight for those of
the fourth class. The duties of these councils en-
brace the administration of police health planta-
tons irrigation live stock, licenses. public works
schools, roads and other municipal affairs
Chapter deals with taxation and finances.
Town shall be derived from the following
sources, and glance at this list will reveal GER
tain phases of the community life which these new
regulations would control:
Certificates of ownership of large cattle
Certificates OF transfers OF title ,,,..,- ,.,ou+.
OfsGniEtiRE BIiitaFd tables. az Sne town
theatrical performances and horse races.
Toll bridges ferries and fords
Stabng of animals.
Tax for lighting and cleaning.
Bathing esta biishments IN public waters
Professional or special Institutions Of instruction
allotted to municipalities by law.
Public carriages and those used in funerals:
| within the limits Of the towns. -,...,.- -.
| documents file in the municipal archives.
The sale OF sprituoqs or fermented drinks either
in permanent establishments, by peders or by the
and other similar establishments.
The stamping and restampng of weights and
Carriages, carts and horses.
Municipal cemeteries.
Road
other taxes which may be imposed. according to
the requirements end conditions of each town.
Concerning taxation Chapter V contains this
statement:
Taxation shall be uniform and just. Persons
deeming themselves injured by any tax levy may
protest the Council, who shall consider and de-
termine such protests. Should the protest be dis
regarded the protestant may appeal TO the Provin-
cal Governor.
Chapter VI defines the duties and powers Of the
Provincial Governor in relation to the towns Great
power is vested In this official whom is given
general supervision and control OF the municipal
affairs OF the and cities in his district. Until
the appointment Of provincial governors their
duties shall De performed by the commanding Off
of each military district. II is yet made
clear who will I'LL the places OF civil governors.
The present military authority will wait for the
Civil Commission to In this respect. and
the impression prevails that American civilians will
eventually be appointed these important posts
Chapter VII contains four provisional articles II
orders commanding officers OF military districts
recommend after due examination, such towns in
their respective districts wherein they consider
nicipal governments under the provisions of this
enactment shall be established. Municipal govern
ments already In operation be disturbed
present Article No. SO of the provisional clauses
states:
For the time being the provisions of this order
requiring that AiCaldes GMayors) be elected in all
shall be far modified 10 permit the
commanding officers of military districts, in their
discretion either appoint such officers 70 have
them elected as herenbefore described.
To the Filipino, suspicious and distrustful by
nature. and nowadays doubly when II Is a ques
ton of what the United States promises to do for
him. this article is the significant in the book
In he retTaction he considers IL a oophole
| out OF which the Americans escape and do
1 Sn to da-