New-York tribune., 1901-11-29
PHILIPPINE CIVIL RULE.
SECRETARY ROOT REPORTS
GOOD PROG RESjS.
WINNING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE
FILIPINos BY DESERVING IT
WHAT Is STILL NEEDED.

Washington, Nov 2S--The seccnd anu li-ia4
section Of Secretary Roots annual report mace e
public to-day is chiefly devoted to review o.
conditions in the Philippines. showing the
Progress made in establishing civil government
Summing I'D his conclusions this point. the
Secretary says
In general the progress Of good government
In the Philippines during the last year mas peeh
greater than the most sansuine alnerIcalt ia Ia
nIlltar with the obstacles 10 De over "a
have anticipated Mutual understanding ana
confidence necessary elements to success IN
such field These cannot De eHtetili'ut Ecu W
forced; they come freely, naturally ana
slowly. l think legislators ard admins
traitors in the Philippines are winning the con-
hdence Of the people by deserving IL For hun
dreds Of years the Filipino people had been ac-
crsromed TO fair promises never fulfilled. We
have made similar promises and what we have
already done in the way OF performance mas
been a revelation of unexpected good faith
The organization of the Federal party III the
Philippines, which has extended throughout the
provinces Loyalty accepting the sovereignty and
OF the American paople, has been Of the utmost
value The character OF the military odlcerS
who have commanded Of Governor Taft and
the members Of the commission, and OF the as
e1starts whom they have gathered around
them, has commanded respect and dispelled sus-
picion throughout a field Of influence widening
steadily as they have become known. 4 coun-
try is very fortunate which draft from its
citizens such men into the public service
believe that each successive step in the prac-
hcaa development Of American purpose in the
Philippines will result in wider appreciation and
sorably look forward 20 a time not far distant
which will chara acteriZed by general good feel
1ns estapllshed confidence and active eo-opeTa-
pelago in our efforts for their benefit. The
course viii not be without its difficulties. dis
courasen1ents and reverses but cheerful and
persistent courage. faithful to the spirit of our
institutions viii prevail
PHILIPPINE COMMISSIONS WORK
Mr. Root gives an account of the growth and
character Of the government, and transmits to
Congress the statutes 263 in number. enacted
by the Philippine Commission The present
conditions he says, great as has been the i'm
provement, do not permit the abandonment OF
military government throughout the archipelago
He continues in part as follows:
The policy followed by the War Department
has been 20 steadily press forward, as rapidly
as il could be done safely and thoroughly, the
gradual substitution Of government through CIVIL
agents for government through military agents,
SO that the administration Of the military Off
Ger shall be continually narrowed, and that OF
the civil officer continually enlarged, until the
time comes when the army can, without lmper-
Hing the peace and order Of the country. be
relegated to the same relation toward govern
-nent which II occupies IN the Cnlted tates: IN
this way have avoided the premature aban-
oonrent Of any power necessary 10 enforce
the authority of the United States, and at the
same time have held open TO the people Of
every community the opportunity to escape
from the stTfnsency Of military rule by uniting
with US in effective measures TO bring about
inhahit.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS
The first duty charged upon the commission
was the establishment Of municipal govern
ments. in which the natives of the Islands, both
In the cities and ir the rural communities, shall
be afforded the opportunity 70 manage their
local affairs to the fullest extent of which
they capable, and subject to the least de-
gree OF supervision and control which care
full study OF their capacities and Cbservat on OF
the workings Of native control show TO be con-
sistent with the maintenance Of law, order, and
loyalty
In pursuance Of this instruction the commits
sion January 81. 1901. passed "a general
act for the organization OF municipal govern
nents in the Philippine Islands," Under this
act a town when organized becomes munich
pal corporation having the customary corporate
powers. The mum icipal authority is to be eXer-
cised by president vice president and munich
pal council elected for term Of two years by
the qualified electors of the municipality. Pro
vision is made for municipal secretary and
municipal treasurer. who are 10 be appointed by
the president with the consent Of the council.
The qualhed electors Include all persons VINO
prior 10 the capture OF Manila had held certain
municipal Offices. and all persons who own real
property TO the value Of 800 pesos, or pay an
annual tax Of 30 pesos or more, and ali those
whc speak read and write either English or
Spanish. (Perscns guilty of crime or of Ger
tain specific acts Of dsloyalty and tax delin-
Quents are disQua ,Ifled.)
The powers OF government conferred upon the
municipalities are similar in character and ex-
tent 10 those ordinarily exercised by munich
palities in the United States.
Under this code municipal governments nave
been organized and are maintained in I65 towns
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS.
The officials Of the provincial governments are
supervisor and fiscal The governing body is
the provincial board. composed Of the Governor,
treasurer and supervisor The Governor is 10
be chosen by the councillors Of the rnunicpali-
ties in the province. The ether officers TO be
appointed by the commission and, with the ex-
ception OF the fiscal. be appointed under
the provisions Of the Civil Service act.
The provincial government has jurisdiction
over roads, bridges and ferries not within the
inhabited puebios barrios; over the admin
istration OF criminal law in the province; the
protection and entertainment Of the courts; the
assessment and collection Of taxes conjoi2tly
With the municipal officers extensive Tisitorlal
and supervisory powers municipal Off
GERS. and over the local constabulary or
police. The commission has from time TO
time organized thlrty-three OF the prov
inces IN the archipelago. Three of these
Cebu, Bohol and Batangas-proved to be pre-
Iaturely organized, and have been turned back
10 the control Of the military officers The gov
ernrnents Of the remaining thirty are in full
operation. The organization of these munich
palities and provinces necessarily e long
and painstaking proceeding, and to accomplish
it the commissioners have journeyed through
the islands. fanliliarized themselves with the
conditions. meeting the inha bitants and con-
sulting with the principal men. The first pro-
rincial governors Were necessarily selected by
the commission. but in every case they were
selected upon consultation with the citizens and
with due regard 10 their informally expressed
wishes
Tie city Of Manila has been placed under
special government quite similar to that of
Washington, provided by act Nc. 1S3, entitled
AN act 70 Incorporate the city Of Manila"
passed July 81. 1891
JUDICIAL ESTABLISHMENT
The judicial power OF the government Of the
islands IS vested in supreme court consisting
Of chief Justice and six associate justices. sit
ting in Manila, Iloilo and Cehu and a court Of
first instance in each Of fourteen judicial dis