The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1902-02-07
GOVERNOR TAFT'S ADDRESS
GOVERNMENT OF PHILIPPINES.
Their Condition Reviewed before
senate committee-Apropo- of the
Government of Isinnd--Gon,niit-
tee Also Asked for Advice,

washington, fe0. 3.TwIhe InYeStl-
Cation into the conditions Of the Phil
lippine archipelago. apropos OF the ef-
fort to secure legislation for the gov,
eminent Of those islands. was begun by
the senate committee on the Philip
( pines. w. H. Taft, civil governor OF
the archipelago, was the first witness
called. There was fun attendance OF
the members OF the committee. and
Senator Lodge its chairman. explained
that the committee desired not only the
fullest information concerning the ISL
ands. but any advice that Gov. Taft
might Offer concerning the question at
Issue
Gov Taft opened BIS remarks by
saying that he had gone 70 the Philip
pines Ia the spring OF $500, and had
visited almost all the provinces during
the past year. He said that ia ali the
Filipino. or Christian. provinces. there
is form ~ civil government. There
are thirtyrfour Of these provinces. The
M0r0s are friendly except a few, who
have never been otherwise than hos
tile 70 the Spaniards Even these we're
now being brought over b. the pros,
pect OF trade, Of which they are very
fond
Describing the COMMISSIONS tour of
the island. Gov. Taft gave in detail the
proceedings q the meetings AZ the va
rious places visited. saying that some
seventeen capitals Of the province wsre
visited on the irag tour Az each place
the delegates 81 the people were met.
the prescribed special act vas passed.
and governor appointed. who uas au-
thoFized to organize municipalities.
These provincial governments consist.
he explained. Of governor. secretary.
superintendent. treasurer and a ns-
eaI. or prosecuting. attorney.
In all cases where the selection
could be made without aEouslng leal.
onsies. natives had been chosen All
these appointments are Temporary. aad
next month their successors alil be So.
lected. When the factions we're too
strong Americans were placed at the
head u each provincial government IN
All cases the treasurer and kuprFin.
Iendent were Americans
The commission had FIRST given its
attention TO the northern provinces.
and in April started south on a trip %
- DAYS They had been received most
everywhere. THIS remark led
he witness into few discnralye 70.
marks upon the subject Of Filipino hos.
,itality.
Speaking Of the Island of Negroes. he
aid Il vas peculiar in les topography.
md previous 20 the coming ~ the com.
mission there was difficulty ia the mat.
~ u government. There were so
many officers In the government that
{ the 5000. 900 lMsxicani onty about
10000 was left for other expenses
han the payment Of salaries Gov.
raft said the commission had had an
experience In trying 10 re-.
rgantze the province q Antique, but
hat the people resisted vigorously. Ifr
mentioned thar At San J1ae. the capital.
hey displayed q model q lthsrty an.
ghtening the world which was twenty
ret high. and had been dragged seven
liies over q very rough road. on this
lonumeus there Werc statues ~ wash.
1gton and Mckinley
Gov. Taft said It had been found inn.
oaslble T. put Fillpinos over the
ioroa They are subject to their datoa
2 chiefa. End refuse to recognize the
gthority % Filipino There WINS. he
MD. two sulians. one ia Minganao.
I'd the other In the Jplo group. but
be- suliana did not always control
ieir datos. The sultan u Mlndauao
he said. very poor but the sovereign
the Jolos Is a thrifty man. who Il
instantly trying 10 increase his In
1me. and constantly getting into
w about Il.