The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-06
Mr.. WENDELL
LAUGHLlN
Is HOME
Wichita Young Man Returns
From Orient.
.FlLIPIN0S ON THE BENCH
He Tells of American Juris-
prudence in Islands.
CLIMATE NOT TOO HOT
Labor VIII be Done Largely
by FiIipinos,
CLIMATE NOT TOO HOT

Wendell Mclaughlin, chief clerk TO the
attorney general OF the Philippine Islands
is now At the home of his mother, Mrs. T.
E Mclaughlin, who resides at the cor
ner of wabash and Central avenues. 3Ir.
Mclaughlin was raised in Wichita, and
Tor many years WAS stenographer OF the
district court. but for several years has
been away from home most OF the time.
For the past two years ne has been IN
the Philippines and when the civil gov
eminent was inaugurated there last July
he was appointed chief clerk and chief
translator in the Office OF the attorney
general. He took an active part in the
work OF organizing the AfleTican judicial
system IN the islands Mr.. Mclaughlin
lett the Philippine islands in January and
arrived IN this city last Tuesday evening.
As he sat in a comfortable chair at his
home yesterday morning, Mr.. Mclaughlin
said "a a reporter for the Eagle:
The American judicial system is now
established in most parts OF the srchi-
pelago, and the people have great respect
Tor the mandates OF the courts. In each
small town there is justice court, and
above these are the courts OF first instance
which have probate. civil and criminal
jurisdiction. The judges Of these courts
have large territory within their 5uris-
dictions, there being fourteen Of such
courts in the archipelago. besides two in
Manila
An appeal can be had from the courts
Of first instance to the supreme court,
which consists Of seven justices, some OF
whom are Fhipinos. There are many
Filipino judges of lower courts. also.
From the supreme court OF the islands.
appeal can be had in some cases TO the
United States supreme court
The courts are respected by the masses
Of the people. True the more Ignorant peo-
pie have the idea Of independence in their
minds. and * Is hard TO get that out of
them. but the more intelligent classes are
favorable to American rule.
No. there is no system Of jury trial.
The people are not sufficiently enlighten-
ed 10 be trusted with that responsibility.
There is an approach to the jury system
in the system Of assessors or advisers,
for provision is made that a judge may
call persons to sit with him in the trial of
. case. These men, however, have only
the power 70 advise. and the administra-
ton Of justice depends upon the rectitude
Of the judge
rs the american school system being
extended throughout the islands?' asked
the reporter.
1T is being extended as rapidly as pos
sible was the reply. "The United States
government has sent over 1o0o American
teachers into the Islands. The children
learn fatty well and are being taught the
English language.
You must remember that the Islands
are governed under the war powers Of the
president
what about the difficulties with the
Friarse1 was 2szed.
These difficisties have Just begun. The
natives drove the Spanish Friars from the
parishes and made il known that they
preferred native priests. The Friars viii
admit no native into their orders When
they were iu power they were not only
the spiritual leaders of the people. but the
political leaders as well. The people are
loyal 20 the Catholic church but they want
native priests instead Of Spanish friars.
The friars ask the government 70 place
them back i'm their old parishes. The re-
ply of the government is that while It has
no objection to the friars going back II
they want 20 do so. + cannot officially
place them. there.
LAS ] said before the natives are loyal
20 the Catholic church. True. a Filipino
who IS an oflcial In the government with
drew from TIE Catholic church and or
sanized q new Protestant church liz Man
Ha but De is an exception.
What do Won think OF the climate Of
the islands," was asked.
I'm the summer the temperature Is not
50 high as 10 IS III Wichita. was the re-
ply ut never goes higher than 100 de-
erees. There is one thing about the cli-
mate thar Americans do not Ike and
that IS rs uuchanceahieucss Americans
ike cold weather 70 tone them up.
"The islands are very productive, and
there are great opportunities there for the
Investment OF American carital I do not
think however. that many Americans
VII erniqrate 70 the islands. as most az
the work must ever be done By natives
Tie onlv work for Americans VIII BE- as
promoters CT great enterprises and as su-
nerjntendcuts Of the work Americans
cannot compete at ordinary labor with
The natives. the best workers II the ISL
ands are the Chinese. though they are
row excluded under the Chinese exclusion
fdw Another reason MANY Americans
VIII rot 80 20 the Islands is because Of
The climate.
'-The Fniniro people might be consider
81 as civilized q Sch the exception az some
~ The interior whom tie Spanish never
suhfuel. or course. they are rot IS
eIFiized as the people ~ the Ilitsd
states but they are capable ~ Civllizs-
ton IS believe FL people are The
natives are unaTpraciative cf The work
the government S. doing for them The
gsvernmcnt has dens a EVsat work in
the Islands
.'Sfnce the Americans entered the PIN
fraines. t'ie carrying trade between ere
dincrent islands 81 the sreup has more