The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-06-05
AMERICAS
MISSION
TN THE
PHILIPPINES
By
Senator Charles W. Fairbanks
of Indiana

There has been considerable DEBATE
as to whether the constitution follows
the flag. No matter how diverse and
conflicting our opinions may be upon
this subject, there is one opinion which
we all entertain, and that is that the
American schoolhouse follows the flag.
The transports which carried our SOL
diers into the Philippines also carried
our school-teachers, until today there
are some S35 American teachers dis
tributed through $50 towns in the Phil
| ippines, and nearly -four thousand Fill
ipinos are employed as elementary
teachers"
Governor Taft says that the normal
school at Manila was attended by $50
Filipino teachers and that there is
great enthusiasm on the part of the
teachers in studying English and in
preparing themselves"
The people of the Philippines are
generally uneducated. Perhaps less
than s per cent can read and write in
any language. Fortunately, they
evince a commendable desire for an
education, and, believe, we shall find
in the magic of the schoolroom a po-
tential influence working for the adj
vancement of civilization, good order,
land civil government in the Philip
pines. We do not find here any evil
dence of that imperialistic purpose
which seems to disturb the magma
ton of our patriotic friends in opposi-
ton
What We Have Accomplished.
When we came into possession of
the islands we found much need for
the improvement of harbors, the con-
struction of roads, the Improvement
of municipalities, for Spain, during her
centuries of control, had done little
toward the betterment of the condi-
lions in the islands. We have been
carrying forward the work in an
American way so as to promote the
health, the commerce, and the pros
perity of the people.
While Spain, in 1896, appropriated
nothing for public improvements, our
commission has already appropriated
81 900, 900 for the improvement of pub
lie roads, and like amount for the i'm
provement of Manila harbor. The pub
lie revenues have been faithfully col
lected and intelligently and conserva-
lively administered, SO that there is
today in the insular treasury surplus
of about $5.O0O,0O0.
During the fiscal year 1901 the reve-
nues of the islands amounted to $10,-
S17,662.31, and the expenditures were
$6,763, 8216S, leaving surplus for the
year of $4,O53. S40.63. This is certainly
a most creditable exhibit. The surplus
does not go into our treasury, but is to
be devoted to making improvements
In the islands-to the construction OF
much-needed works, long neglected by
Spain.
Our Record in Porto Rico.
We invite the attention of our
friends to what we have accomplished
in Porto Rico for the advancement of
the principles of republican govern
ment and for the promotion of the well
fare of the inhabitants of that island.
We heard much criticism a few
months ago of our legislation with re-
spect to that island and its people,
and the country was for time deeply
stirred, fearing that we were ignoring
and subverting the doctrines for which
our forefathers stood.
1t is a gratifying and reassuring
fact, indeed, that the people are so
sensitive of the national honor and
that they will not readily sanction any
supposed breach of it. The storm
which ragged with intensity for time
subsidized in due course and the integ-
rity and beneficence of our action are
now beyond challenge. Porto Rico is
| enjoying a measure of republican gov
eminent which is entirely new to her
anc is blessed with an unprecedented
measure of prosperity.
We are attempting to do in the Phil
ippines, under greater embarrassment,
precisely what we have been doing In
Porto Rico, and If we will but perse-
we're In the right and have confidence
in each others patriotic and humane
purposes similar results will doubt
| less follow.