Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-09
NO |NDEPE ZEN DEN CE
Proposition Made in Regard
to Philippines.
A CIVIL GOVERNMENT
ACTION QE THE HOUSE INSIIIAR
ACTION OF THE HOUSE INSULAR
COMMITTEE.
Democratic Substitute Voted Down by
Strict Party Vote-Majority
Bill to Be Reported.

By strict party vote the insular commit
tee of the House today voted down a sub
stitute proposed by the democratic mem
bers Ito establish stable and autonomous
government in the Philippines" and then
by like party vote ordered a favorable
report on the measure prepared by the re-
publican members establishing a complete
form of civil government for the islands.
Mr.. Cooper will make the report tomor-
row, and will seek soon thereafter to bring
the measure before the house.
The chief interest today was in the sub
stitute proposed by the democratic MEM
berS. This was comprehensive measure
of twenty-six sections, and as explained by
Representative Jones of Virginia, who drew
it, it's main features are as follows
Democratic Substitute.
'The democratic substitute is based on
the theory of giving the Philippines even
tual independence. We leave the affairs of
the island with the present Philippine COM
mission until July 4, 1903. From that date
and until July 4, lola period of eight
pendence of the islands, with a view to
leading up to complete independence which
begins at the latter date.
The qualified independence is granted on
condition that there is complete cessa-
tion of war and all organized armed oppo-
sition. Moreover, it is granted on five
specified conditions precedent, namely, that
the United States shall have three coaling
stations and two naval stations, and con-
venient terminal points for submarine
cables; that the maximum rate of duty i'm
posed against articles shipped from this
country except opium and liquors, shall
be 20 per cent ad valorem, and that Ameri-
can citizens shall be guaranteed certain
rights of travel, trade, etc, in the islands.
After Eight Years.
after the expiration of this eight-year
period, substitute provides the man
ner in which the Philippine republic can
frame its constitution. During the inter-
mediate period the islands are under the
executive authority of a president of the
Philippines and a secretary of state, both
appointed by the President for terms Of
four years.
There is also provision for cabinet or
advisory board, to be selected by the presl-
dent Of the Philippines. Provision is made
for a legislative body, consisting of thirty
to be elected by the qualified voters of the
islands. The electorate is to be composed
or male persons, twenty-one years old, who
are residents Of the islands for three years
or who can read or write any language, or
who have paid 81 poll or other taxes. Our
bill provides much lower salaries than the
republican measure. AS to the proposed
coinage system, that is left for the Phil
ippine congress to determine, they to es
tablish mnts, fix the standard, &C."
Mr.. Patterson's Amendment.
After the foregoing substitute. was voted
down Representative Patterson Of Ten
nessee offered an amendment to the
majority bill, providing for the abolition OF
slavery throughout the islands and for the
annulment of the treaty made between
Gen. Bates and the Sultan of Jolo.
Chairman Cooper called attention to the
clause in the majority bill that neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude shall eX-
ist in the islands, Mr.. Patterson MAIN
tanned that this restriction would not be
effective so long as the Bates treaty re-
mained in force. On vote, however, Mr..
Patterson's amendment was rejected. The
committee then voted to report the major
ity bill, the terms of which have hereto
fore been explained.