The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-05-10
BLAZING
THE PATH
HOWCiViIR Rule Was
Organized in
Masbate.
Correspondence of the Associated
prcss)

INIANbt, Island OF MuSbatc, Maven
1S-The ravages of the rinderpest had
left the Island of Masbate people In a
deplorable condition, as the United
States Philippine Commission learned
when they arrived yesterday for the
purpose of organizing a provincial gov
eminent of the three islands of Mas
bate, Ticao and Burias. The chief in
dustry OF Masbate has always been
the raising Cf beef cattle, ana in the
Spanish days Manila derived her sup
ply of meat from that island. Within
the past few months practically all of
the cattle and caribaos on the entire
island had been swept away by the
pest, When the troops of Colonel
Hare's district came to occupy the
town of Palanog, eight months ago, the
inhabitants fled after burning most of
| the houses. The little place of about
300 people is recovering very slowly
from these disasters, and more so, as
! the people are impoverished on account
of the cattle misfortunes. There Is to
date not public school in the three
islands. a new one is being built at
Palanog, however, and American
teachers will soon be in charge.
Delegations came to the commission
ers session from all parts of MaSbate,
IA few from Ticao, and none from the
large but rather barren island Of Blu
rias, to the northward. The men ap-
peared to be fairly intelligent, Sconsid
ering their comparative isolation, but
were rather hopeless about any pros
pect of immediate improvement In
their business conditions. The only in
surgents remaining in these islands are
a few detached bands of ladrones ana
a federal party branch, recently or
ganized.
President Taft, on behalf of the rep
resentatives of the United States gov
eminent, made an explanatory address
which, except in his references to the
poverty of Masbate, was similar to
those made at all points visited.
Bonificio Serrano, candidate for gov
ernor, addressed the commission, say
ing that although there was plenty or
land in Masbate, 1t was not SUFFICIENT
ly cultivated to be able to meet the
necessities of the proposed provincial
government. He declared that If the
people We're taxed on the land now, or
shortly, they would fail to raise money.
Said he: The owners of the land only
raise sweet potatoes enough TO eat
and there are some few rice paddles.
Judge Taft asked DO not the pri-
cattle land WORTH
Serrano answered: Good situated
and well conditioned land Is worth
about three pesos per hectare. A
fourth or fifth of the land of this ISL
and is private holdings, mostly pasture
land. There is little private wood land
and very little cocoannt raising, most
of 1t being on the island OF Ticao."
Responding to questions, Serrano
said;
Before the pest cattle We're the
standard product of the islands, 81, 900
to $4,000 worth being shipped annually.
A tax was levied in the Spanish time
on each head shipped to Manila; also,
on shipments Of copra. The average
value of the cattle placed on board
was about $40, Mexican money. Three
fourths of the cattle are now dead,
and the rest affected"
All the testimony on the subject OF
mems wages placed that at 25 to so
cents Mexican per day, and food. Po-
licemen received 81 to S. Mexican per
month.
Responding to questions, Serrano
said that his people did not expect TO
attain their former condition of pros
perity for ten years. He acknowledged
that the timber was considerable as
set, and could be exported, too, at
good prices; also, that cocoanut trees
and tobacco grew fairly well, put ne
said, these had been planted but little
The alleged mineral wealth of Masbate
had never yet been really exploited,
although few Englishmen were min
ing for gold in the northern part.
The presidents of all the towns rep
resented addressed the committee as
called upon, all agreeing that the low
est salaries possible should be paid the
provincial officers for the present, and
that the capital should be fixed at
Palanog. All displayed a singular ig-
norance about Burias. The commits
sioners questioned whether Burias
ought not be annexed to southern
Luzon province, but Masbate and III
Gao were unanimous for including Blu
rlas with the province or Masbate,
contending that the trade or Burias,
though small, was rather with the ISL
ands south of her than with the ports
OF LuZon, and that 1t was In the in
terest of the Burians to be Joined with
other smaller islands. 1t was conse-
quently SO ordered.
After a long private conference OF
the commissioners, President Taft an
nounced that there had been consid-
cradle difficulty in adjusting some of
the provisions of the general provin-
cial bill to this province, on account
of he conditions of its diminishing
revenue. a return of prosperity, how
ever, would later Justify new arrange
ment, The expense OF salaries OF an
the provinces heretofore organized
We're upward OF $4,000, but In Masbate
they would be made half that amount.
The capital Of the province was locat-
ed at falanug, which town was de-
creed 10 be hereafter known as Mas
bate. Bonifaelo Serrano was appoint
I'd Governor. and George Landers OF
New York, a soldier. supervisor, at
salaries Of 1870 each. Lieutenant Chas.
Snyder, of the Twenty In
fantrY was appointed treasurer, The
salary Of treasurer was fxed al 81 200
the appointee for the time being re-
cciyinH his pay from the United States
g0yerniu mt as an army officer lH'the
Interest Of economy the governor was
required ta perform the secrelary's
duties and the fiscal Of Ramhlpn
province Was required 10 also perform
similar duties for haEbata for 500 "a
ira compensation and expenses.
committee was appointed 10 ranrRaHiaa
the municipalities and order elections,
ETC. 10 those unufRanlzrd