New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-02-13
TAFT TO BE GOVERNOR.
CIVIL ADMINISTRATION FOR
THE PHILIPPINES.
THE PRESIDENT TO ACT AS SOON AS
THE ARMY BILL WITH THE SPOONER
AMENDMENT. BECOMES LAW.
IBf TEIzGRAFH 40 ruE rR1nuyr.l


Washington. Feb l2.-The President will ap-
noint Judge William a. Taft to be Governor Of
the Philippine Islands as soon as the Army Ap-
propriation bill carrying the Spooner amend
ment becomes a law. and the military rule in
the Philippines viii be supplanted by civilian
administration as completely as II is now estab-
ushed in Porto Rico. and as quickly as transfers
Of Offices can be made to men already chosen
and for the most part the ground prepared 10
asume responsibility. The amendment as IA
vorably reported by the Senate Committee on
the Philippines is follows
That an military and civil powers necessary
20 govern the Philippine Islands. acquired from
spain by the treaties concluded At Paris
December TO- lS9S, and ST Washington on No
venber !. 1909 shah. until otherwise provided
hv Congress, he vested in such person and per-
sons and shall be exercised in such manner as
the President Of the United States shall direct,
for the establishment of civil government ana
for maintaining and protecting the inhabitants
of said islands in the free enjoyment Of their lib
erty property and religion,
Provided That all franchises granted under
the authority hereof shall contain a reservation
Of the right 10 alter. amend or repeal the same.
The sole change made by the committee was
IN striking the word judicial" from the first
line Il was regarded as superfuoCs. in view
OF the fact that II was Included in the term
"civil." and as the judiciary Of the islands was
already organized to some degree and discharg-
ing its functions
IMPROVED CONDITIONS EXPECTED.
The chief immediate effect Of the change viii
be 10 subordinate General Macarthur 10 Judge
Taft and TO harmonic differences which re
centlv have been rapidly increasing in gravity.
The exercise Of the Presidents high power
through a civilian rather than a military repre-
sentative is expected to create wholesome
impression on all classes OF natives. and there
IS a general conviction that this notable indica-
ton Of the fixed purpose of the United States
will cause another demonstration Of loyalty Ike
that which followed the amnesty proclamation
last year
II is the opinion OF Republican leaders in both
houses of Congress that no serious opposition
viii be manifested to the revised Spooner amend
ment, and that il viii remain in the bin AS
originally proposed, with the inclusion Of the
word judicial" the success of the amendment
might have been doubtful. as was shown in the
committee yesterday. when Senators Turley and
RaWlns objected 20 vestng legislative, eNecu-
tive ana judicial power in the same persons.
They pressed their point, and the Republican
Senator's finally agreed to it, The view taken
by the Democrats is that civil judges can only
be appointed after a civil government is estab-
lshed. II the resolution is adopted as il is
now amended. they believe il viii deprive the
Philippines OF civil courts and force the Admin
istra,ion 10 give the Fipnos a civil form OF
government
This belief has no terrors for the Republicans
The President has for some time contemplated
subordinsting the military TO the civil jurisdic-
ton in the islands 10y promoting Judge Taft.
and there reasons for believing that the
action would have been taken before this time
had il not been for the fear that the change
would injuriously affect MacArthur's nomina-
tion 10 be a major general before the Senate.
Now that the nomination has been confirmed.
however. the President has decided 10 wait
week or two longer. until under the Spooner
paragraph he can delegate to Judge Taft the
full measure Of authority which will be most
conducive 10 the rapid improvement Of condi-
nons in the Philippines.