Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-02-01
GOVERNOR TAFT
CONTINUED from page 1.)

for the establishment of local govern
ment in the islands. Describing this
tour he said the course was to present
to the dignitaries of the various places
visited an explanation of the provincial
ana municipal acts. I'VE had some ora
tory" he said. land from the rear plat
form of the train. but generally from
the window of the car.
He then gave i'm detail the proceed
ings of the meetings at the various
places visited, saying that some IL cap
itals of the provinces were visited on
the first tour At each place the dele
gates of the people We're met. the pre-
scribed special act was passed and a
governor appointed. who was author
lied to organize municipalities. These
provincial governments consist, he eX-
planned. of a governor, secretary, SUI
perintendent, treasurer and a fiscal or
prosecuting attorney. In all cases
where the selection could be made with
out arousing jealOusies, natives had
been chosen. All these appointments
are temporary and next month their
successors will be elected. When the
factions were too strong Americans
were placed at the head of each pro-
vincial government In all cases the
treasurer and superintendent We're
Americans.
The commission had first given its
attention to the northern provinces and
in April started south on a trip of "a
days. They had been received most
cordially everywhere. This latter re-
mark led the witness into a few dis
cursive remarks upon the subject of
Filipino hospitality.
THE Spaniard," he said, will always
tell you that his house is yours but ne
does not always mean that you should
take him at his word, but the Filipino
will tell you the same thing and he al
ways means what he says. He will
turn his family out and install you in
bis habitatiOn."
Speaking of the island of Negros. he
said it was peculiar in it's topography
and that previous to the coming of the
commission there was difficulty in the
matter of government. There We're so
many officers in the government that
of the 100000 (Mexican) revenue only
about $4,000 was left for other expenses
than the payment of salaries. Gov
Taft said that the commission had had
an interesting experience in trying to
re-organize the province Of Antique,
out that the people resisted vigorously.
He mentioned that at San Jose. the
capital, they displayed a model OF lib
erty enlightening the world, which was
20 feet high and had been dragged
seven miles over very rough road. On
M rn,t
Washington and Mckinley.
Gov. Taft said it had been found i'm
possible to put Filipinos over the
Moros. They are subject to their datos.
or chiefs. and refuse to recognize the
authority of a Filipino. There were.
ne said. two sultans, one in Mindanao
and the other in the Jolo group but the
sultans do not always control their
datos. The Sultan of Mindanao is. he
said. very poor, but the sovereign of
the Jolos is thrifty man, who is CON
stantly trying to increase his income
and constantly getting into a row
about it.
The Jolo Sultan had, he said. refused IN
recognize Spain's claim to any propertv
en- the islands except the customs houses
ana there is considerable question as 10
the ownership in many instances. This
computation existed not only between th,.
Sultan and the United States, bur he
tween the Sultan and his subjects.
In reply to Senator Hale, Gov. Taft
said that no effort had been made 10 ex-
tend the civil government of the Unitea
States to the Moro provinces beyond |
making a few suggestions bearing upon
the revenue laws
Asking if the Moros were generally
peaceful. the witness replied that they |
were so except in individual instances.
There is ne said. mo war, nor even !
insurrectiOn in the Moro provinces. but |
there are occasional reports Of murder Of |
soldiers
He had no knowledge of the reported |
fights in Mindanao.
Gov. Taft referred to the Federal party /
iE the islands and said that he had been /
given petition from this party to be pre- |
sented to the American Congress but had |
Eot yet decided Low to present it.
The committee adjourned to meet at II |
c'clock tomorrow. Gov. Taft said as he |
left the committee room that he desired |
to return to Manila by May l.