Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-04
eovrRNMrNT ron rnILIPPTrrs.

10F wv 49,.
After having provided revenue for the
Philippines, which is the matter Of first
importance for the action OF congress,
the framing of a plan Of civil govern
ment for the islands is the next thing
to be done. A bill for this purpose has
been under careful consideration and as
1t is acceptable to the administration
and is approved by the republican lead
ers in congress, its adoption may be
safely predicted.
The measure provides for a governor
to be appointed by the president, a legis-
lative body, the upper chamber Of which
is to be composed of the present eight
members Of the Philippine commission,
with the addition of three others, two of
whom shall be Americans and one a
native, and a lower chamber whose
members shall be elected by the so-called
Christian inhabitants of the islands.
The plan, while giving the natives rep
r%esentation in the insular government,
retains power In the hands of the Ameri-
cans. Thus IL the chamber composed of
natives should fail to vote appropria-
ions necessary to carry on the govern
ment the upper chamber may proceed
to do so and in case of a deadlock be-
tween the two houses the authority to
grant supplies is lodged with the gov
ernor, who may also by the exercise of
the veto power defeat undesirable meas
ures. The worst that could happen,
under the proposed plan, would be fail
ure Of the legislative body to pass On
structive legislation, but this is a very
remote danger, since 1t is most improb-
able that the elective or popular cham
Der would oppose measures for the i'm
provement Of conditions in the islands
and for their commercial development.
The men elected to that branch Of the
assembly will undoubtedly be Of the
more intelligent and progressive class
ana largely in sympathy with. American
ideas of advancement Moreover. 1t is
not contemplated to put the scheme of
insular government into operation at
once and perhaps not until there is com
plete pacifcation, SO that In the mean
time a great deal can be done in edu-
eating the people to American ideas OF
Industrial Improvement and better ma
terial and social conditions. There is no
doubt that some progress has already
been made in this respect and it is
reasonably to be expected that the ad-
anc will be more rapid hereafter.
An important feature of the proposed
legislation relates to the granting of
franchises. This will require careful
regulation. particularly as to the pre-
vention Of monopoly. There must be no
exploitation Of the Philippines by mo-
nopolistic s~yndicates. How this import
ant matter shall be regulated has not
been definitely determined. but it is safe
to assume that a liberal and at the
same time safe policy will be adopted
a policy which will not discourage the
investment of capital in the islands, but
will prevent MONOPOLY in any of their
sources. All who are conversant with
conditions there agree that the urgent
need is capital and it is not doubted that
this Will be abundantly supplied when
ever the proper inducements are offered.
The sooner this is done the better, for
the promotion Of industry and trade
will be powerfully conducive to peace
and popular contentment. 1t is not
necessary that this should wait for the
establishment Of an insular government
and doubtless the Philippine commission
will be given power to grant franchises
under regulations prescribed by con-
gross.