The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-05
ACTS OF THE COMMISSION.
Laws Providing for Municipal and
Provincial Governments

WASHINGTON April 4.-Copies of two
important acts of the Philippine commits
sion providing for the organization of the
municipal and provincial governments in
the archipelago, have been received at the
War Department. The act for the organi-
zation of the municipal governments does
not apply to the city of Manila nor TO the
settlements Of nonchristian tribes, for
which special legislation is TO be enacted.
But all perblas shall be recognized as mu-
nicipal corporations. adhere to their former
names and continue TO hold all property
rights vested under their former organiza-
tion The government proper OF each
puebla is vested in a president. vice pres
ident and municipal council. to be chosen
at large by qualified electors for a term of
two years from and after the first Monday
in January next after their election. Coun-
cilors elected in 1901 will divide themselves
into two classes, the first set vacating their
seats on the first Monday in January, 1902.
and the second set year after their sue
cessors have been chosen and qualified, so
that one-half of the council will be chosen
annually.
municipalities will be divided into four
classes-those containing not less than
$1,000 inhabitants TO have eighteen coun-
cilors: those containing $4,000 and less than
25, 900 Inhabitants to have fourteen council
ors: those containing 10000 and less than
$1,000 inhabitants TO have ten councillors,
and those containing less than 10000 inhab-
itants to have eight councillors.
The qualifications of electors authorized
TO choose the officers OF the municipal gov
ernment are that they shall be male per-
sons over twenty-three years and must
have legal residence i'm the municipality
I'm which they exercise the right OF suffrage
for a period OF six months preceding the
election, and must not be citizens or sub
jects OF any foreign powers. They, too.
must be members OF one of the following
three classes: Those who prior TO the 18th
of August. 1898, held the office of municipal
captain, gobornadicillo, alcalde. lieutenant
cabeza de barangay or member of any
ayuntamiento those who own real proper
" to the value OF 800 pesos or who pay an
nually thirty pesos more of the estab-
lshed taxes. and those who speak. read or
write English or Spanish.
Those disqualified from voting include
delinquent taxpayers OF taxes levied since
Aug l3 1898, insane or feeble-minded per-
sons. those who violated the oath Of al
.egiance TO the United States, those who
on or after the lst OF April were in arms
against the sovereignty of the United
States and those who in any way aid or
promote the insurrection.
The municipal officers i'm no case shall be
ecclesiastics or soldiers i'm active service.
The officers of each provincial govern
ment are 10 be a provincial governor, sec
retary, treasurer. supervisor and fiscal
The provfncial governors shall he solacf al
by convention composed of councillors of
all the municipalities included i'm the
province. The four other officers OF the
provincial government shall be appointed
by the commission TO hold office during its
pleasure. With the exception OF the pro-
vision fiscal after March l, 1902, they shall