The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-21
THE PRESIDENTS PLAN FOR THE
FILIPINOS.

A few days ago the instructions of Presi-
commission were given to the press. These
instructions were issued through the secre-
tary of war, April Z. The substance there
of has been known to the public for
months, but more in outline than in the
Presidents language. Now that so much
has been said about Imperialism and gov
eminent without the consent of the gov
erned, the words of the President upon this
point are of interest He says:
Without hampering them by too specific
instructions, they should in general be en-
joined, after making themselves familiar
with the conditions and needs of the coun-
try. to devote their attention in the first
instance TO the establishment OF municipal
governments. in which the natives of the
islands. both i'm the cities and in the rural
communities, shall be afforded the oppor-
to the fullest extent of which they are
capable. and subject TO the least degree of
supervision and control which a careful
study of their capacities and observation
of the workings of native control show to
be consistent with the maintenance of law,
order and loyalty.
The foregoing shows that the President
is anxious that the Filipinos shsu have
local self-government 10 the utmost of
their ability to sustain 1t. For the present
the legislative power in the Philippines is
vested in the commission just as it was
vested by the early Presidents in COVER
nors and judges In Louisiana, Indiana and
other Territories This authority includes
the duty of establishing courts. raising
revenues. setting up municipal govern
ments. and establishing system of public
schools. Another paragraph. which is
quoted below. shows how careful President
Mckinley has been to insure to the Fill
pinos every right that the American citizen
enjoys. 1t is as follows:
That no person shall be deprived of life
liberty, or property without due process
taken for public use without just compen-
sation: that in all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall enjoy a right TO speedy and
public trial, to be informed of the nature
and cause of the accusation, to be con-
fr0nted with the witnesses against him, to
have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor, to have the assist
ance of counsel for his defense: that ex-
cessive bail shall not be required, nor ex-
cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and I'M
usual punishment inflicted; tina. no person
shall be put twice I'm jeopardy for the same
offense, or be compelled in any criminal
case to be witness against himself that
the Tlgnt 10 De secure against unfedSOnaDfc
searches and seizures shall not be violated;
that neither slavery nor involuntary servi-
tude shall exist except as 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, or the rights OF the people
TO peaceably assemble and petition the
government for redress of grievances:
that no law shall be made respecting an
establishment OF religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof, and that the free
exercise and enjoyment of religious profess
sion and worship without discrimination
or preference shall forever be allowed.
The foregoing shows how solicitous the
President Is 10 secure to the Filpinos the
best possible conditions for their future
progress. This order. issued last April.
also shows how false is the statement
which Mr.. Bryan and scores of his follow
ers are making. that the President has
sanctioned the slavery that so long ex-
listed in one OF the tribes. AS for imperial
| ism. or militarism in the Philippines. 1t is
the invention of the enemies OF the adj
ministration