The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-05
NO EXTRA SESSION
PRESIDENT DECIDES ONE IS NOT
NECESSARY.
TO GOVERN THE PHILIPPINES.
PRESENT AUTHORITY AMPLE, SAY
ROOT AND KNOX.

The Above Determination the Result
of Cabinet Conference Yesterday.
The Decision Was That the Pres
ent Filipino Programme Is Not
cisiOn-The Administration WiIS
Accordingly Proceed to Establish
civil Government in Philippines
ON Plan Projected by Taft Com
mission.
Washington, June 4.rThe cabinet to-
av unanimously decided that existing
conditions do not warrant the calling of
an extra session of Congress this sum-
ner. Secretary Root and Attorney Cen
eal Knox have both rendered legal opin-
cns to the effect that the authority to
govern the Philippines vested in the Pres
dent by the Spooner amendment was am
pe. These opinions were concurred in
g all the members of the cabinet.
The decision of the cabinet was an
nounced after the cabinet meeting in the
GLOWING statement issued by Secretary
Cortelyou;
THE President has determined that ex-
sting conditions do not require or war
rant calling Congress together during the
present summer or making any change
In the policy hitherto pursued and an
nounced in connection with the Philip
pine Islands,
About the first of next month full civil
goernment will be set up in the Phil
Fpines, exactly as projected by the Phil
n ippine Commission. AS soon after that
& date as the administrative machinery can
N Be made ready for it the-new Philippine
q tariff will be proclaimed, also following
out the original plan formed before the
announcement of the decisions of the Su-
peme Court last week. These determina-
E tons followed a careful study of the de-
csions of the court, the results of which
were made known at the cabinet meeting
to-day. Secretary Root has had little
#doubt at any time since the courts ac-
ion of the feasibility of continuing the
execution of the Philippine programme,
without violating any of the principles
nunciated by the court and his study
was mainly to make sure that he had
not overlooked anything in the decisions
that might qualify that belief on his
part. He has not found in any of the
opinions delivered by the justices any
thing to shake his original idea, and hav-
Ing so advised the cabinet and that view
being shared by the attorney general, the
original programme is to be carried out.
Dumb as to Legal Status.
AS to the legal status of the islands the
officials have nothing to say. They do
bot Indicate whether the tenure is to be
egarded as one purely military or
Fhether they have found in the decisions
rarrant for taking the Spooner act as
uite sufficient in itself to justify the
Establishment of q purely civil govern
Eent in the Philippines, accompanied by
be taxing power, as exhibited in tariff
Ehedules. The general statement is
Eade that the exercise of authority is to
by virtue of the supreme power re-
ceed in the President; 1t may be either
commandments of the United
ates military establishment or by vir-
be of the special designation in the
pooner law; perhaps either would be
Efficient
To Continue DingIey Duties.
The collector at San Francisco will go
taking UP Dingley duties on imports
rom the Philippines, for the cabinet has
Ssured itself that the practice is legal,
at any rate. they are not bound to
Nnerwise declare in the absence of a de-
son by the highest judicial authority.
ne failure of the court to announce a de-
sion IN the fourteen diamond rings case,
one involving the legality of the inn
'sinon Of Dingley duties on goods
snlng from the Philippines, is regarded
Warranting the belief that the court did
!, ma In this case a parallel to the
eLima case.
Tue report of the Philippine Commits
-. setting out in vast detail the COM
eve scheme of civil government, de-
sS eu oy them, is now in Washington,
~, the legal difficulty being passed,
ns.leration will now be given to this
porI 1t would not be feasible to notify
laN by mail of his appointment
'e nrst civil governor of the Philip
I,. Ivs IN time for him to assume Office
~ J. so this must be done bv cable.