The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-23
ODD THINGS IN
PHILIPPINES.
Peculiar Method Of Government
In Smaller Towns.
SALARIES ARE VERY LOW.
Mayurs Of The Villages Regulate The Prices
10 Prevent Buih Competition and
fItertun.

A writer at present at Bacarra IN the
Philippines, says: We are stationed In
pretty town, situated about nve miles in
land from the Chinese sea. The place
boasts OF having population Of 1900
inhabitants. and is governed by muni-
cipal council composed OF ''presidente
and q "cabezas." under the JURISDICTION
Of the military authorities.
The presidents" acts in the capacity OF
a mayor. and receives salary OF slZ'oo
month. Notwithstanding rhe fact that ne
receives such small compensation ne mas
more authority than man filiing sim
ilar position In the United States.
He schedules the prices for which all
articles are to be sold by the natives who
come under his jurisdiction. thus avoid
ing competition by the cutting of prices
| and also extortion.
He also acts as a magistrate, trying all
| persons who commit petty offences and
should any controversy arise between the
natives he is invariably appealed TO- and
| when he gives a decision the natives ac-
| cept il as final.
| The "cabezas," or headmen. receive no
| compensation whatever. They act as del
egates of the "presidente' for their re-
spectlve wards and are held responsible
| for the conduct Of the people. as Wen as
the sanitary condition of their wards
The positions Of "presdente" and Ca
beza" are elective Offices. and are held
for a period of one year From what l
| can understand, the majority OF the pres
ent incumbents are composed of ex-insur-
| gents. who laid down their arms shortly
after President McKinley's amnesty was
nroelaimed throughout the islands.
1t seems strange that, although the
neopie ciaim to be I'm favor -ef -Peaeeaele
government under the United States they
invariably give an ex-insurgent preced-
ence over all others.
NATIVE POLICE AND SCHOOLS
We also have a native police force, com
posed of one lieutenant, who Is the senior
headman and vice presidente of the mum
icinal council. and SO men. The lieutenant
receives IS per month. sergeants S' cor
porals s.. and privstes H.1b
eve have two schools where Spanish
| English and Ilocano languages are
taught Considering the poverty OF th'
people. the schools have a very good al
tendance. Spanish and Ilocano are taugh
by native school teachers, while Englisf
Is taught by soldier. The children arr
ant scholars and make wonderful pro
gress in learning English.
The people OF the province belong U
the uocano tribe, and though not unllk
the Tagalos (more commonly called FIJI
pinos) In stature and color, speak an ell
: tirely different language.
They are not what would call oil a.
indolent nature, but seem To have n
: ambition other than 20 secure the bar
means of existence and TO have as man
, | feasts as possible.
They are OF a musical nature, AT leas
two-thirds OF the population being aol
? 20 play some instrument They are nun
I dreds of years behind the times and seer
a 10 have no inclination of catching up.
For transportation they use car
bou," or water buffalo, attached TO car
made Of bamboo. with wheels cut out OF
n solid piece OF wood. For the thrashing {
|. rice. which is the principal agriculture
product OF the province, they use lars
| walden mortar and nestle.