Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-02-01
PHILIPPINE INQUIRY ON
Governor Taft First Witness Before
the Senate Committee.
TELLS OF ISLANDS RULE.
Narrative Of Tour of ORGANIZATION
Taken by Commission and Re-
suits Of This Trip-Traits
Of the Natives.

Washington, Feb. 1.-The investiga-
ton into the conditions in the Philip
pine archipelago aprOpOs OF the effort
10 secure legislation for the govern
ment of those islands has been begun
by the senate committee on the Philip
pines. w. H. Taft civil governor OF
the archipelago was the first witness
called. There was full attendance
Of members of the committee, and Sen
atOr Lodge, chairman of the committee,
explained that the committee desired
not only the fullest information COLI
corning the islands. but any advice
that Governor Taft might offer con-
corning the questions at issue.
Governor Taft began by saying that
he had gone to the Philippines in the
spring of 1865 ;t.lu had visited almost
all the provinces during the past year
He said that in all the Filipino or
Christian provinces there is form OF
civil government. There are thirty
four of these provinces. The Moros are
all friendly except few who hhd
never been otherwise than hostile to
the Spaniards. Even these were low
being brought over by the prospect Of
trade. of which they are very fond.
The Commi.sion's Tour.
Going back to the beginning OF the
commissions tour of the islands. Gov
prnor Taft said that it had only been
undertaken after the reelection OF
President Mckinley. when the time
seemed ripe for the establishment OF
local government in the islands. De-
scribing this tour. he said the course
was 10 present TO the dignitaries of the
various places visited an explanation
of the provincial and municipal acts.
I'VE had some oratory," he said. from
the rear platform of the train. but gen-
orally from the windows of the car"
He then gave in detail the proceed
ings of the meetings at the various
places visited. saying that some seven.
teen capitals of the provinces were
visited Oh the first tour. At each place
the delegates of the people were met.
the prescribed special act was passed
to organize municipalities.
These provincial governments consist.
he explained. of a governor, secretary.
treasurer and Il fiscal
or prosecuting attorney. In all cases
where the selection could be made
without arousing jealousies natives
had been chosen. All these appoint
ments are temporary. and next month
their successors will be elected. When
the factions We're too strong. Ameri
cans We're placed at the head of each
provincial government. In all cases
the treasurer and superintendent were
The commission had first given it's
attention to the northern provinces and
In April started south on trip of fifty /
four days. 1t had been received most |
everywhere. This latter re-
mark led the witness into Il few dis
rursive remarks upon the subject of |
Filipino hospitality.
Filipino Hospitality.
"'rhe Spaniard," lie said. will al
but he doesn't always mean that you
should take him at his word, but the
Filipino will tell you the same thing.
and he always means what he says.
He will turn his family out and install |
vou in his habitation."
Speaking of the island of Negroes, he |
said it was peculiar in its topography |
md that previous to the coming of the
there was difficulty in the
natter of government. There We're 40