Evening star., 1900-12-03

liberty and lsw. and that these principles
and these rules of government must be es-
tablished and maintained in their Islands
for the sake of their liberty and happiness.
however much they may conflict with the
customs or laws of procedure with which
they are familiar.
1t Is evident that the most enlightened
thought of the Philippine Islands fully APP
preciates the importance OF these princi-
pies and rules, and they will inevitably
within short time command universal as
sent. Upon every division and branch of
the government of the Philippines there
fore, must be imposed these inviolable rules:
That no person shall be deprived of life,
liberty. or property without due process Of
law; that private property shall not be
taken for public use without just compen-
sation: that in all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall enjoy the right to a spe edy
and pubic trial. to be informed of the ma
ture and cause Of the accusation, to be con-
fronted with the witnesses against him. to
have compulsory process for obtaining wit
nesses in his favor. and to have the assist
ance OF counsel for his defense: that
excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishment inflicted: that
no person shall be twice put in jeop-
ardy for the same ofrense, or be
compelled in any criminal case to be a
witness against himself: that the right to
be secure against unreasonable searches
and seizures shall not be violated: that
neither slavery nor involuntary servitude
shall exist except as a punishment for
crime; that no bill of attainder or ex-post-
facto law shall be passed. that no law shall
be passed abridging the freedom of speech
or of the press, the rights Of the people
to peaceably assemble and petition the Gov
ernment for redress of grievances; that no
law shall be made respecting an establish
ment of religion, prohibiting the free
exercise thereof, and that the free exercise
and enjoyment of religious profession and
worship without discrimination prefer
ence shall forever be allowed.
1t will be the duty of the Commission to
make a thorough investigation into the IT,
ties to the large tracts of land held or
claimed by individuals or by religious or
ders; into the justice Of the claims and
complaints made against such landholders
by the people Of the island or any part of
the people. and to seek by wise and peace
able measures just settlement of the con-
troversies and redress of wrongs which
have caused strife and bloodshed in the
Commission is enjoined to see that no injus-
tice is done; to have regard for substantial
rights and equity, disregarding technicali-
ties SO far as substantial right permits.
and to observe the following rules:
That the provision of the Treaty of Paris
pledging the United States to the protec-
ton of all rights of property in the islands,
and as we'll the principle of our own Gov
ernment which prohibits the taking of pri-
vate property without due process of law,
shall not be violated; that the welfare of
the people of the islands. which should be
paramount consideration. shall be at
tained consistently with this rule Of prop
erty right; that If 1t becomes necessary for
the public interest of the people of the
islands to dispose OF claims to property
which the Commission finds to be not law
fully acquired and held disposition shall
be made thereof by due legal procedure, in
which there shall be full opportunity for
fair and impartial hearing and Judgment;
that If the same public interests require
the extinguishment of property rights law
fully acquired and held due compensation
shall be made out OF the public treasury
therefor that no form of religion and no
minister of religion shall be forced upon
any community or upon any citizen of the
lister of religion shall be interfered with or
molested in following his calling and that
the separation between state and church
shall be real, entire, and absolute.
1t will be the duty OF the Commission to
promote and extend, and, as they find oc-
casion, to improve the system of education
already inaugurated by the military au-
thorities- In doing this they should regard
as Of first importance the extension Of q
system of primary education which shall
be free to all, and which shall tend to tit
the people for the duties of citizenship and
for the ordinary avocations of civilized
This instruction should be
given in the first instance in every part Of
the islands in the language of the people
In view of the great number of languages
spoken by the different tribes, it is espe-
cially important to the prosperity Of the
islands that a common medium of commu-
nication may be established. and it is OBJ
viously desirable that this medium should
be the English language. Especial atten-
ton should be at once given to affording
full opportunity to all the people of the
islands to acquire the use of the English
language. ...-.-
1t may be well that the main changes
which should be made in the system OF tax
which the people are governed, except such
changes as have already been made by
the military government, should be rele-
gated to the civil government which ID to
be established under the auspices of the
1t will, however, 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 SO.
they are authorized to make such changes,
subject to your approval. In doing so they
are to bear in mind that taxes which tend
to penalize or repress industry and enter
prise are to be avoided; that provisions for
taxation should be simple. that they
may be understood by the people; that they
should affect the fewest practicable SUBJ
jects of taxation which will serve for the
general distribution of the burden
The main body Of the laws which regu-
late the rights and obligations of the peo-
pie should be maintained with as little in
reference as possible. Changes made
should be mainly in procedure. and in the
criminal laws to secure speedy and i'm
partial trials, and at the same time effective
picfr nd individual