New-York tribune., 1901-08-04
THE IGORROTE DOMAIN.
SAVAGE FOLK WHO WERE THE FIRST
OF THE ISLAND TRIBES TO SEEK
AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS.

Washington, Aug. CSpeciaD.-Phelps Whit
marsh the first Provincial Governor appointed
under United States sovereignty in the Philip
pines, has rendered an excellent account of his
management of Benguet, fully confirming the
wisdom Of Judge Taft and his associates of the
commission in selecting a resident of thirty
five years in the islands, though Englshman,
to occupy one Of the most difficult posts in the
archipelago, requiring experience and famil-
iarity with the natives and their conditions as
we'll nerve and mature judgment. Benguet
is mountainous. and has been chosen by the
authorities the location of great govern
ment sanatOrium account of its salubrious
climate, the finest south of Japan on the west
ern borders of the Pacific.
It is the home of the quaint and intelligent
Igorrotes. who gave such notable assistance to
the United States regulars and volunteers in
Furnishing and subduing the revolving Tagals.
and who were the first of the Filipino peoples
to ask and secure civil rights under the Ameri-
can Government well the first and so far
the only tribe to dispense with United States
troops for protection against the guerilla bands
and outlaws of Northern Luzon
Governor Whitmarsh when visiting Manila
in May. told army officers that under the special
law enacted by the commission for Benguet the
Igorrotes practically in the same position
as the North American Indians under an agent
with the difference of greater freedom, in that
they really made their own laws. The Governor
sets the general laws of the province, but each
municipality elects its own officers and MAKES
all laws affecting the people, excepting taxation,
which is very light amounting to 30 cents gold
per annum for all persons over ten years of
age property owners paying one-half per cent
on their holdings.
LEARNING ELF-GOVERNMENT
Il suppose" said Mr.. Whtmarsh. that an
Igorrote town is the most independent thing In
the islands, because IT uses every cent of ito
taxes for it's own benefit, nothing going into the
provincial fund. All that the Governor can do
is TO approve suggest amendments to laws.
so that the Igorrotes are getting first rate op-
portunity TO learn practically how to govern
themselves. In fact. the government is the
most socialistic Imaginable in accordance with
the nature of the people each mans prop
erty being his neighbor's and every one eating
wherever he happens to be at meal time"
The only officials Of the province the Cow
ernor. Secretary and Inspector. who perform
all the requisite duties. The first important
work quickly accomplished. every town
having been organized within three months
after the Governors appointment The only
place where there was any difficulty was at
Palma. where the inhabitants climbed up above
the village ana sat on the rocks, refusing for
some time to come down, because they con-
tended that they belonged in another province.
They soon became tractable. however. with
little reasoning.
In making the town ordinances" said the
Governor. lit was astonishing the amount Of
aptitude and intelligence the natives displayed.
I have allowed them to go pretty much Of their
own will. and often have approved minor Iegisa-
tion which ! knew would be unsatisfactory. ir
order that they might learn it's Intellectually
and improve themselves in self-government"
The Igorrotes are antagonistc to the Ia
galogs and practically to all Christians They
are thorough pagans. and the only Chrstians
there those who come to exploit the coun-