The Tucson citizen., 1902-02-27
TIE PHILIPPINE SITUATION.

In his testimony before the Senate
Committee, Judge VIM. n. Tart civil
Governor OF The Philippines, has drawn
a ROSY picture of conditions III the
archipelago Our little brown brothers
in that far-off region, 1t seems, are
for the most part reconciled to Amerl-
can sovereignty. According to Cover
nor Taft, the great majority OF them
desire peace, ana there would be no
trouble at all IL it were not Tor the
pernicious activity of few lnsurrec-
tionists. 1t was something OF TINS
kind that Lord North told George III
about a hundred and thirty years ago.
If it hadn't been for irreconcilables
like Washington, Jefferson, Lee,
Franklin, the Adamses and some
others his Sacred MaJesty's subjects
in America would be loyal, peaceable
and contented. So in the Philippines.
II the irreconcilables would only be-
have themselves, the mass OF the
Z
an honest and quiet living"
There is no reason to question Gov
ernor Taft's good faith. He has lived
for some time in the Philippines. 1t
may be assumed that he has aVailed
himself of every opportunity TO ascer-
tain the exact situation in the archi-
pelago, and that his statements 10 the
Senate Committee embody his hon
est convictions on the subject. Ii there
were no other authority on the Philip
pines it might be conceded that Gov
evnor Tafts optimism Is amply justi-
fed that the great body of the
Filipinos have seen the error OF their
ways and are now enthusiastic ad-
mirers of American institutions. But
on this subject there are wide diff
erences of opinion. Men as well in
formed about the archipelago as Gov
ernor Taft entertain gloomy and pess-
mistic views about the situation there.
Because of these conflicting opinions
IL is difficult for Americans to decade
whether the pessimists or the optim-
lists have the better of the facts and
the argument. There is no man OF in
telligence who does not desire to be
further enlightened on the subject At
present he scarcely knows which way
to turn.
One highly interesting matter which
has been brought out and emphasized
in the discussions in Congress is the
fact that Uncle Sam is paying remark
ably high salaries to American Off
Gals in the Philippines. So ample is
his generosity, so unbounded his re-
sources, so bountful Is the remunera-
ton with which he rewards the labors
of his servants In the islands that one
is not surprised to find optimism exist
ing to an exceptional degree IL Off
cial circles in Manila. Recently the
War Department prepared table set
ting forth in detail the number of Of
ficials employed under the civil gov.
eminent of the islands, together with
the salary received by each This table
will make the mouths of stay-at- home
patriots water. For instance. it Il
stated that Governor Taft's salary IL
$4,000 a year, while each of his foul
fellow members of the Philippine
Commission receives $4,000. The
secretary to the Governor gets $500
the Auditor for the island $4,000, the
Chief Justice and Associate Justice 81,
500 each, the judges of the Manila
courts $500, the Superintendent o
Public instruction, the COMMISSIONS
of Health and the Director of POST
$4,000 each and the Attorney Genera
$500. In addition there is a swarm o
minor officials receiving salaries rang
ing from $4,000 to $4,000 All the ser
wants of Uncle Sam in the Philippine
are paid in gold, and a gold dollar il
the archipelago is worth two silve
dollars--the money in general circul
alton.
OlICldlS Uliu HdHuSUHpiy DIS lHOS
who conduct the civil government o
the Philippines are not likely to TAX
pessimistic view of the situation il
the islands. They are faring SO mucl
better In the way of salaries than the,
would in the United States that the.
have the strongest reasons for cult
waiting a spirit of cheerfulness anC
looking at the archipelago through
highly colored glasses. There is NJ
public official In the United States who
gets as large salary ais Governor
Taft, except the President. There are
only three States In the Union which
pay their governors a salary one-nalt