The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-08-17
THE IGORROTES OF LUZ0N
AMERICANS' PAGAN ALLIES.
Interesting Talk About Them by Gov
 ernor Whitmarsh.

ernor Whttmarsh.
 Phelps Whitmarsh, the first provin-
 cial governor appointed under United
 States sovereignty in the Philippines
 has rendered an excellent account of
 his management of Benguet, fully con-
 firming the wisdom of the commission
 in selecting a resident of 35 years in
 the islands, though an Englishman, to
 occupy one of the most difficult posts
 in the archipelago, requiring experi-
 ence and familiarity with the natives and their conditions, as we'll as nerve
 and mature judgment. Benguet is
 mountainous, and has been chosen by the authorities as the location of a great government sanatorium on &C.,
 count of it's salubrious climate, the fin est south of Japan on the western bord- CTS of the Pacific.
 It is the home of the quaint and in
 telligent Igorrotes, who gave such mo-
 table assistance to the United States regulars and volunteers in punishing and subduing the revolting Tagals, and who were the first of the Filipino peo- ples to ask and secure civil rights llrl- der the American government, as well as the first and so far the only tribe to dispense with United States troops for protection against the guerrilla 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 were practically in the same position
 Al. A Tad ,,e fJ JnY an agent, with the difference of greater freedom, in that they really made their own laws. The governor sets the gen. eral laws of the province, but each municipality elects it's own officers and makes all laws affecting the people, eX- cepting taxation, which is very light, amounting to 50 cents gold per annum for all persons over ten years of age, property owners paying one-half per cent. on their holdings.
 T suppose" said MT. Whitmarsh, "that an Igorrote town is the most i'm dependent thing in the islands, because 1t uses every cent of it's taxes for it's own benefit, nothing going into the pro- .vincial fund All that the governor can do is to approve or suggest amendments to laws, so that the Igor rotes are getting a first-rate oportun- ity to learn practically how to govern themselves. In fact, the government is the most socialistic imaginable, in ac- cordance with the nature of the peo- pie, each mans property being his neighbours, and every one eating Wher- ever he happens to be at meal time
 The only officials of the province are ha cnnrpfarV and inSn6ntOr. who perform all the requisite duties. The first important work was 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 and sat on the rocks, refusing for some time to come down, because they contended that they belonged in another province They soon became tractable, however, with a little reasoning. Tn making the town ordinances said the governor, it was astonishing the amount of ap- titude and intelligence the natives dis played. I have allowed them to go pretty much of their own will, and of ten have approved minor legislation which I knew would be unsatisfactory in order that they might learn It's 1n- effectuality and improve themselves in self f-government
 The Igorrotes are antagonistic to the 1 Tagalogs, and practically to all Chris tians. They are thorough pagans, and ! the only Christians they are those who | come to exploit the country. The Igor rotes are thoroughly moral, easily con- | tent, exceedingly honest, but lie like all Asiatics. They are far ahead of their | neighbors, the Ilocanos. The 1gorrote | is the most independent creature on | earth, without exception He can sup ply his own needs and those of his fam ily with little effort Money is no in he doesn't want to work, doesn't want to change his dress, and doesn't want to become Christian. In fact. he has no need of the aid of the outside world. The question is, how can we induce him to accept civiliza- ton? But it is necessary for his preser- yation and without it the Juggernaut If the world will crush him out of ex- lstence.
 I can almost regard 1t as a misfor- tune that the laws place an 1gorrote
  uuence of this it is difficult to obtain labor for roads and other public im- The Igorrote is savage, and is childish so that with fatherly protection a certain amount of tttelar pressure seems necessary. The schools in the province are developing exceed ngly we'll. There are four white teach srs, and the children seem to want to 70 to school. None of the parents ob- feet to their education, now that they 'orce them into the church. Though he children have never been taught 1efore they show remarkable aptitude, equal to that of the Tagalog and far in advance of the Ilocano. I am full of nope and interest in the future of and it's inhabitants. The northeast line of the province ,as never been accurately drawn, and his section is the stamping ground of he head hunters and ladrones, who laye never been conquered and whose erritory has been only partially ex ,lored. At one time Spanish regi- nent went in, but came out after losing many men, and the only post they es ablished, Asin Grande, was ultimately yiped out. Governor Whitmarsb had ust returned from an expedition into he country of this tribe, who are call d Busuls. Ever since they have lived here they have made frequent raids,