News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-06-26
THE PHILIPPINES.
Interesting Letter from Mason S. Stone.


In a private letter to the editor of
the Montpelier Journal Hon. Mason
S. Stone, Vermont's former Superin-
tendent of Education, now Depart
ment Superintendent of public in
struction in the Philippines, writes
many things which will be of interest
to his friends in this state, and the
public generally. So the editor ven
lures to give publicity to the letter.
Writing from Manila, under date of
May 8, Mr.. Stone says:
Generally the less a man knows of
a situation the more willing he is
to express an opinion. Have been
here three weeks and meanwhile have
been rapidly revising opinions held
by myself. Of one thing | have be-
come confident, namely, that no gen.
eral statement concerning theislands
can be made without danger OF con-
tradiction. There is such complex
ity of influences, diversity of condi-
tions, medley of people and variety
of customs that it is impossible to
Judge all by any one place or people.
Apparently the climate has been
the most malignant of any of the
conditions.
In all this confusion of tongues, it
is remarkable that each race and
tribe has so exclusively maintained
it's own characteristics. Two tribes
living on opposite banks of the same
river may not understand the others
language.
American customs do not impress
themselves upon the natives to any
large extent; however, it is notice
able that some Americans have
adopted the native customs. Some
American women have unwisely at
tempted to introduce hats and high
collars, ignorant OF the tendency in
the States. The people here turn to
the left in proper and European man.
ner. A woman WAS arrested this week
for taking her bath at the public by
drant. This was contrary to the
city ordinance established by mill
tary authority, and fear it will dis
courage cleanliness.
The natives have standards of per-
sonal decency, honesty and general
morality, differing much from Ameri-
can standards. They have been we'll
informed, through the Spaniards, in
regard to our American vices, social
and political, hence look upon us with
some suspicion. l think they are ca
pable of great improvement and
eventually will be ready for self-gov-
eminent.
When races are mixed too frequent
ly the vices of the component races
survive the virtues. Consequently
the whole problem at present must
be handled most carefully. Blunders
have already been made, and the
whole scheme is sure to be wrecked
If the Archipelago becomes the prey
of the politicians.
The people are remarkable in man.
ual and musical skill, have great i'm
itative powers, but lack the thought
powers of originality and reasoning.
They are courteous and kind, grace
full and suave in manners, and sur
pass the Americans in many of the
delicate arts.
You must understand that / am
writing concerning observations
about Manila, and the statements
may not be applicable to all the
islands. However, understand con-
ditious in some of the islands surpass
those in Manila.
Am assigned to Negroes, to which
island | expect to go next week Ne.
gros is the wealthiest of all the
islands, most civilized, first to ac-
knowledge the sovereignty of the
United States, and the first to receive
a division superintendent. My head
quarters are to be at Bacolod, am to
have two assistants, office and clerks,
and shall hope to have several teach
ers from Vermont assigned to my
jurisdiction. Cebu and Bohol were
also assigned me, but are not suftici-
emily pacifed to be amenabIe to sue
cessful work at present, and eventu-
ally will have division superintend-
ent together.
The commission has just returned
from a tour among the southern
islands. AtJolo a bamboo and paper
Goddess of Liberty has been erected
On the four sides of the pedestal were
placed respectively the names. "Wash.
ington," Lincoln" Mckinley, y
"Taff." The last simply needed q
"y" to make it neutrality-suspicious.
of the mission.