The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-12

feet Of white FIR; q total stand Of ll2,276 feet
In these measurements no trees less than feet
In diameter scaled No allowance, now
ever, was made in the above calculation for GULL
The 1Sl acres were taken In various parts OF a
township and represent with fair accuracy the
stand throughout that township Tho signh-
canoe Of these figures Is apparent when IL is re.
membered that 10000 feet per acre is considered
heavy stand in all lumber regions east Of the
Mississippi
Under their instructions the new Philippine
commission will assu entire control Of the af.
fairs of the island, and will perform legislative,
administrative and executive duties They will
formulate municipal, provincial and a general
system of government, making such laws they
may consider necessary for the proper govern
ment of the Philippines. The commission also
has authority to dispose Of the many civil prob.
lens which have arisen by reason Of the Filipino
insurrection. They will have authority to grant
amnesty to the revolutionary natives and to take
measures to place the island on a thoroughly
peaceful footing, to attain which they will be
empowered to hold conferences with the Filipino
leaders. The religious questions, involving the
rights of the friars, will come under their iuris.
dction as will also all applications for fran
chises and concessions. The board will make its
headquarters in Manila and from Manila will
issue orders for the establishment Of civil govern
be occupied for several months in outlining its
work. There arc hundreds OF applications now
on file in the department for franchises or
concessions, and the commission will investigate
each application and will have authority to re.
ject or grant il.
The tariff features OF the Porto Rican bill
passed in the house yesterday and to be prompt.
ly signed by the president are we'll understood,
thp Of a
discussion in which the whole country partici'
pated. The civil government features are not
80 well understood. The government is vested In
a governor. appointed by the president, and
two chambers called the executive council, which
roughly corresponds to the upper house in a
state Legislature, and a lower chamber named
the house Of delegates. The house of delegates
is to be composed OF thirty.Rve members elected
by the people, and an elector must be able TO
| read and write either English or Spanish; must
be % years DID, and possess taxable property on
the island. The executive council is to consist
of eleven members, all appointed by the presi-
dent. Five of the council shall be Puerto
Ricans, and six OF the council will also be the
following chief executive officers of the island
Secretary, attorney general treasurer, auditor,
commissioner Of interior aid commissioner of ed
ucation This council. through its commissioner
Of the interior, has charge o. all public works,
and is given power over all franchises by the
following clause; IAN grants of franchises.
rights and privileges OF a public or quaspublic
nature shall be made by the executive council,
| with the approval ot the governor, and all fran.
chises granted in Puerto Rice shall be reported
to congress, which hereby reserves the power to
annul or modify the same Puerto Rico is to
be represented at Washington by territorial
resident commissioner. II is the expectation
| that General Davis who served most efficiently
as military governor and is fully acquainted with
| existing conditions, will be named by the presi
dent as the first civil governor. 1t is believed
| that this be done without necessitating his
| resignation from the army.