The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-29

Of civil government in the
Philippines. north of the
equator Both events are Of
worldwide interest, for they win have
an important bearing upon oriental
problems.
The fourth day Of July. which the
initial attempt at a civil government
in the Philippines and the installation
Of the new governor viii occur. viii
doubtless be memorable to the Filipi-
nos, and as the first American election
in their islands took place on the
Fourth of July last year that date
viii be doubly notable. Little more
than three years have elapsed since
the boom Of Dewey's cannon in the
harbor Of Manila sounded the kneu
of Spanish rule IN the Philippines. and
during that period a great deal has
transpired tending toward the final def
milton of the status of the archipela-
COS Inhabitants. Had the s. 900 600 or
10,0Q0,000 of people dwelling there been
more homogeneous there might have
been less difficulty in settling the vexed
questions which have arisen in the
process of pacification; but as it is
considering the multiplicity of the
problems presented and the character
and civilians have had to deal. it must
be admitted that great progress has
been made
The Philippines first American mill
tary governor, Major General Merritt
held his position for but brief period
and was succeeded in August, 1898. by
Major General Otis who exercised sr
preme military and civil authority until
the advent of Major General MacAr-
thur in May, 1900. His successor. Gen
eral Chafee, who commanded our mill
tary forces in China, viii have no fur
Their civil functions to perform. as his
cuties viii be strictly military. for the
time mas now arrived, in the opinion of
the Philippine commission appOinfed nv
PRESIDENT Mckinley last year. for inau-
gurating the long promised. long defer
req government of the people by the
people SO far as they are considered fit
for self rule.
me frst territorial governor of the
fhlhppines, as already announced.
IS Judge William H Taft. who for more
than year has been president of the
commission sent out to pave the wa,
1or the new order of things. Judge Tart
IS native of Ohio. He was born in
1857 and is a son of Hon. AIphonso TAR
a former attorney general of the United
states. From the public schools of
cincinnati Judge Taft went to Yale.
ono IN his class After two wears at
the Cincinnati Law school he entered
upon the practice of his profession and
II 1881 was appointed assistant prose-
cutting attorney Of Hamilton county.
he was collector Of internal revenue
Tor the First Ohio district in 1882. Judge
OF the superior court of Cincinnati in
1eSt, solicitor general of the department
or Justice in 1890 and a judge Of the
federal bench in 1892 It was in Febru-
airy, 1900, that President Mckinley an
pointed Judge Taft chairman. or presi-
dent, of the second commission formed
FOR inquiring into the condition of the
philippines and thus placed him in line
Tor elevation to the high position which
he at present occupies.
Ihe original Philippine commission to
formulate report on the best scheme
Of government for the islands. consist
ing of Professor J. G.. Schurnan Adr,f
raj George Dewey. Hon. Charles DENNY
and Professor Dean c. Worcester. re-
Torted 70 the president in January. 1900
recommending the appointment of an
American governor general. to be as
sisted py council comprising FiIipi-
nos and Americans. and Of provincial
governors. preferably from the united
States This commission announced it
self as unqualihedly in favor of a gov
eminent for the islands analogous to
that Of a territory of TIE United States
with governor appointed by the presi-
dent. The commissioners went into the
subject thoroughly and as a body came
to the conclusion that the United States
could not withdraw from the Philip
pine Islands.
his commissioners President Mckinley