The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-10
SENATOR Lodge TO INTRODUCE A BILL
FOR TEMPORARY PLAN.
WAR DEPARTMENT MEASURE
Based Upon Plans Suggested by
Members OF that Branch Of b
Gorernment-Nc New Form Of Gov
eminent Established, but COnhrms
the Autocratfc Rule of President
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the Ac-
ton of the Philippine Commission
Opportunities Given to Corpora
fions and Combines.

Washington. January - Senat
Lodge. chairman Of h committee on
tine Philippines tomorrow. will introduce
la bill for a temporary government of
the Philippines. This bill has been
drawn after many consultations with
the war department officials. who nave
been directly interested in insular at
fairs and the government of the
provinces. The bill will not be made Il
part of the Philippine revenue bill
which has passed the mouse, but will be
an independent measure. The bill is
lenIitled as n TO temporarily provide
for the administration of affairs OF
lc;vil government in the Philippine
islands, and for other purposes" 1t does
not attempt to establish a new form Of
government in the Philippines, but
simply begins by confirming the action
of President Mckinley in creating d
commission and ratifying the acJe
that commission under the instructions
of the president. dated April I, 1900. 1t
also gives the president authority,
while there is armed resistance in any
part of the islands to the United
lStates,' to regulate and control inter
Island commerce.
Section 4, following the Porto Rican
act. gives the government OF the Phil
ippines power to improve the harbors
ard old instruments Of commerce. and
lsection 5, also following the Porte
Rican act, turns over TO the government
lni the Philippines all lands devoted now
to public use bridges, highways. etc.
Under Section 6, the governor of the
Philippines is empowered to mike rules
aid regulations for Tie disposition OF
public lands other thar timber and
mineral lands, such regulations to have
the force n effect of law only after
they have been approved by the presI
le"t n congress
Then follows a series of provisions tt
enable the commission to perfect the
title of persons now occupying public
lands and to lease and sell lands tt
such persons or give them to occupant:
without compensation. This is to pro.
vide for the small native land holder:
who are occupying and for a long time
have occupied public lands but who
have no titles to protect them in theiI
holdings.
The provisions in regard to limbs
lands are followed by a number Of sec
lions as to mineral lands. Theea or,
very elaborate and embodv the minera
laws contained in the report of tn
commission and which have been pre-
pared by them with great care so tina
they sha be in harmony with the eX
listing Spanish laws.
One Of the most imr ortant provision
lis the one empowering the Philippin
commission to purchase the lands O
the religious orders and dispose of then
ION proper lines. to occupants.
There are two sections which provid
fer the granting Of franchises so tina
individuals or corporations car go int
the islands and construct electric an
steam railroads and engage in indus
tries and manufactures. Provisions flo
granting the franchises are guarded
being based en- the corporation laws g
Massachusetts. There are provision
for establishing a coinage system whic
has already been presented in specis
agent Commits report. and the fins
sections of the bill makes for a bankin
system and for national banks of tn
United States establish ID in the PhiliI
pines.