The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-01-30
A pARAplsE FOR orrIcE sEEKERs


The policy adopted by this govern
ment toward the Philippine Islands.
has made those islands veritable
paradise for hungry ofiice-seekers.
The decision OF the Supreme Court
that, in legislating for the Philip
pine colonies Congress is not subject
to the Constitution, has let down a
gap that opens a way for all sorts OF
acts and appropriations that would
not be permitted in this country.
The salaries of officials in those far
away islands are both enormous and
absurd. For these salaries there is
no other legal authority than the az
bitrary decree of the Taft Commits
sion. with the sanction of Secretary
Eihu Root, of the War Department.
In the voting OF such salaries these
commissioners bring reproach upon
themselves and the United States
Government.
Forinstance, MIR. Taft, the gentleman
who presides over the deliberations
OF this body OF governors, draws a
salary of $4,000 per annum, while
his four associates are managing to
exc out an existence on SO, 600 per
year each.
Then one will find on the long list
of those who are ieedingat the public
crib. a Chief Justice OF the Supreme
Court. drawing a salary OF $1,000
per year, with several associate
Judges receiving 81, goo per annum
each. And so on it goes, even the
Judges of the Courts Of irstinstance
drawing from 81, 900 to 5000 per
year. Many OF these latter courts
are courts in name only, the Judge
principal work being the drawing OF
his salary. Indeed it is an under
stood fact that many of these official
posts are political sinecures only-a
part of the imperial outfit OF Colonial
Government.
The excuse for these outrageous
acts has been laid to the cost OF liv-
ing, but no Justification can be found
in fact. These salaries are without ex'
ample under this government and
demand both a public investigation
and public condemnation.
Another excuse offered by the wise
acres in charge of those islands, foi
their un-American conduct is the risk
of living under a tropical sky and the
deprivation oihome and civilization
We risk the assertion that President
Roosevelt need only announce that
he desires men of ability at hall the
salaries now being paid and IL
less than a fortnight the White
House would be overrun with appli-
cants, willing TO risk the tropical suns
and sacrifice home and civilization
for the sake OF occupying one OF these
offices of ease and high living.
If these excuses be true, then it Is
safe to predict that the Philippines
will always be arbitrarily governed
at long range from the Capitol
through high-salaried officials.
Is it not, therefore, true that the
archipelago is destined to become the
paradise or "happy hunting ground
for ofice-seekers who are willing to
take the risks OF climate for the sake
ofhigh salaries and escape ofrestralnt
from home life?
Would it not be wise for the Senate,
in considering the forthcoming bill
for civil government in the Philip
pines, to enlighten the people OF this
country more thoroughly as to the
general condition of affairs in our
new possessions?
American citizenship demands, and
should have, "A thorough investiga-
ton OF affairs as managed by the
Taft Commission. Nothing short OF
this will be satisfactory to the people
OF the United States.
Let us hope that some brave and
courageous Senator may tear away
the blinds that shield these political
pap hunters and show the real con-
ditiOn of affairs.