The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-04-02

Philippine islands is an in
teresling document worthy of public
scrutiny. Confessedly temporary, it's
provisions nevertheless go far in liberal
treatment Of native interests and dis
prove effectually the real or pretended
fears of those who have argued that
American sovereignty means native en-
slavement.
The first clauses of the bill give the
sanction of congress to the existing
government, but modifies that govern
ment to the extent of requiring con-
fitmatiOn by the senate for the appoint
ment of members of the commission
and of the principal civil officers of
the Philippines, and puts the appoint
ment of the judges of the higher courts
in the hands of the president instead of
in those of the commission, as is now
the case. The bill also provides that
as soon as general and complete peace
shall have been established (; census of
the people of the Philippine islands
shall be taken, containing all the infor-
nation necessary to enabl, congress to
popular representative government for
all the islands. The Philippine COM
mission is authorized to provide as rap
idly as possible additional provincial
and municipal governments Of the same
character without waiting for further
legislation FROM congress. The bill con-
reys to the present government of the
islands the public property transferred
under the treaty with Spain to the
United States.
The bill provides that the commission
shall prepare the draft of a law for
regulating the disposition of the public
lands, which is to be submitted to
congress for its action and in the mean
time authority is given the commission
to grant title to actual occupants of
land which belonged to the crown of
Spain and now belongs to the United
States. The commission is also permit
ted to lease public lands for a term of
five years, pending the preparation OF
II final law regulating the sale and dis
position of the public lands of the
islands. The Importance of these
provisions is emphasized in the report
of Senator Lodge which calls attention
to the fact that of the estimated 72OOO,-
900 acres of land in the Philippines only
100000 acres are now in private own
ership. OF the G70OO,OOO acres of public
land nearly onc-half are believed to be
susceptible of cultivation. The section
relating to lands provides for issuing
temporary licenses to cut timber but
denies the right to dispose of timber
lands. Coming to the question of the
great tracts held by the monastic Or
ders under the exercise of the right of
eminent domain the Philippine govern
nent is authorized to acquire these
lands by condemnation proceedings and
pay for them by issuing bonds paying
Az. per cent interest in gold or its
equivalent in Philippine currency. Oc-
cupants and actual settlers are TO have
preference in purchasing the lands
from the government.
Franchises are safeguarded by Il
provision that in the cases where they
affect the public service charges are
to be regulated, books are to be in
spected and payment into the insular
treasury of IA reasonable percentage of
gross or net earnings is to be exacted.
Capital. in other words, is to be well
coined to enter the islands and develop
their resources, but carefully devised
precautions are to be taken against inn
proper exploitation.
The coinage OF AN American Filipino
dollar, with subsidiary silver pieces, is
provided for and In defense OF it the
report says that it would be a very
dangerous experiment to attempt to al
ter the silver standard now existing in
the islands which had existed there for
centuries. The silver standard has
therefore been reafiirmed and provision
made for the coinage of Il bullion dollar
which viii be legal tender in the
islands. BY bearing the United States
as we'll as Philippine symbols, it's cir
culation will, in the committees opin-
ion, be made easy, not only in the
, islands, but throughout the Orient,
where, it is thought, its superior mint
age will displace the Mexican dollar
and, like the British Bombay dollar,
enter largely into Chinese trade, there
by doing much to promote American
interests in that great market.
II this is imperialism, make the most
of it.
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