The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-23
THE CABINET MEETING.
The Philippine Situation Discussed
by the Ministers.

| ny the
Consideration of matters pertaining to
| the Philippines occupied the attention OF
the Cabinet at its meeting yesterday, the
first important one which has been held
in more than two weeks. owing to the
illness of the President. The Secretary OF
ports from General Macarthur and from
the Taft Philippine Commission relative
to affairs in the island, and these were
laid before the members OF the Cabinet.
Secretary Root called attention to va
rious salient features of the situation in
the island as shown by the report and
emphasized the statements which referred
particularly to the progress of the mill
tary campaign. The reports from the
Taft Commission treated at considerable
length the subject of civil government as
established in various localities, as well
as to the school system and the condition
of agriculture and other industries. Sec
rotary Root also submitted the report
from General Macarthur, made in re-
Spouse to an enquiry from Adjutant Gen
eral Corbin, regarding the sale of liquor
and also vice among the soldiers, which
General Macarthur states has been great
ly exaggerated.
He was in conference with the Presi-
dent for some time after the other mem
bers left, and submitted a cabiegram Just
received from Judge Taft, of the Commits
sion, saying that the situation in the
Philippines demands immediate legisla-
tion by Congress to relieve the financial
stress caused by the scarcity of currency.
This subject was covered in Secretary
Roots annual report. The Philippine
Commission has repeatedly urged that
something be done, as they have not the
power to provide for the coming of
money. Secretary Root explained to the
President that 1t was highly important
that Congress should give the matter i'm
mediate consideration, and read from re-
ports from the commission, and also SUBJ
mitted Judge Taft's latest despatch, de-
claring that the condition in the Philip
pines demands action Secretary Root ex-
planned that under Spanish control the
business of the islands was transacted
almost entirely by the use of the Mexican
silver dollar of S77.17 plus grains. The
people of the country practically know no
other currency. and it is impossible to
transact business generally with Ameri-
can currency among a people to whom its
value Is unknown. Persons receiving the
American money. he said, are obliged to
purchase Mexican dollars. which are
worth about so cents in American money,
but the price of which continually fuc-
tuates with the market price of silver
AS the insular government is obliged to
receive them at so cents, the scarcity of
this money and its fiuctuation is serious
injury to business.
Judge Taft reported that this currency
is rapidly decreasing, owing to the fact
that none has been coined in the Philip
pines for about three years.
Both Secretary Root and the Secretary
of the Treasury are agreed that the best
remedy to be applied is to have the
United States coin an insular dollar
which shall be redeemed in gold at so
cents, and which being substantially the
same in value and appearance as the
Mexican dollar, would pass current in the
Islands, and would, as rapidly as it be-
came the medium of exchange bring the
islands to a gold basis.
1t was agreed at the Cabinet meeting
that the President should at an early date
submit the various reports to Congress.
1t is understood that they are somewhat
exhaustive and cover the full situation in
the Philippines.
Among the callers at the White House
yesterday were Representative Weaver OF
Ohio and Rev. J.. C. Schindel The latter
was chaplain in the Fourth Chic Regiment
during the SpaBish-American war and is
an applicant for appointment to a similar
position in the regular.
The President has appointed Francis ].
Wing, of Cleveland. as additional district
judge for the northern district of Ohio.
provision for which was made in a bill re-
Gently introduced by Senator Foraker and
enacted into law.
Ex-senator Frank Hiscock called at the
White House yesterday to pay his respects
to the President. He is here in connection
with the Venezuela asphalt controversy as
attorney for one of the companies. He
was accompanied by Representative Dris-
coll Of Syracuse.
The President has approved the bill au-
thorizing the Postmaster General to lease
suitable premises for the use of the POST
office Department, the new building hav-
ing been already found insufficient for the
requirements of the department. He has
also approved the joint resolution author
izing the Secretary of War to grant per-
i1its to the Executive Committee on in
augural ceremonies for the use of public
spaces and reservations for the Inaugural
tion; also the bill dividing the State of
West Virginia into two judicial districts.