New-York tribune., 1903-06-01
PHILIPPINE PROGRESS.
GoUernor of Benguet Reports Great
HarmOnU IN His PrOrince

Washington, May 81 (SpeciaD-The reports from
the governors of the various provinces in the
Philippines. which coming in rapidly now.
bring news of the most satisfactory and gratifying
conditions prevailing. almost without exception
throughout the possessions.
Governor William T. Peck of the Province OF
Benguet, who has just forwarded to the Bureau of
Insular Affairs his annual report, tells story of
advancement under the most trying conditions. He
says in part:
am pleased be able to that with the
natives my administration has been marked by a
hearty and continuous cooperation on the part or
the officials and manifest contentment on the part
arisen within the last year that would try the
constancy OF the people more than ordinarily oc-
ours in q decade.
1 reported year ago that the best roads were
only trails and most of the trails We're impassai pie
the have TePsr6 ola a
days. labor, and today can ride. over at least
two hundred miles Of road will perfect safety and
cost to the government. the conception OF which at
first astounded the native officials but being done
brought with 1t feeling of content among the
labOrers which amounts to almost sentiment Of
people as the 1gorro3es pt of Benguet IN addition to
this labor there continually employed on the
to five hundred Igorrotes from this province. who
received from 40 cents day UP in nsular cur
Just this time the cholera attacked our bor-
there spread with astonishing rapidity throughout
the province. The lgorrotes having no knowledge
of medicine have always resorted IN time or sick
ness to gathering about the afflicted and holding a
feast. sacrificing birds or ANIMALS. ana belleNlnS
that in the blood thereof there curative prop
critics. They took sanitary precautions. and
these meetings resulted IL spreading the pestience
It was, however custom. l might say a re
ages and which Spanish rule had never suspended
I deemed it most essential for the welfare of the
province to stop all such gatherings. to stop the
people from travelling from one pueblo to another
and even from one house to another and called
the presidentes and the cabezaS of the different
pueblos and the chiefs and headmen of the prov
ince La Trinidad. explained the cause or the
spread of the disease the sanitary precautions to
be taken. the quardntine to re effected and prom
ised in time when the danger was passed. to allow
them to resume the customs of the 1gorrotes per
tanning to disease and death, which for the time
being suspended.
The promptness and thoroughness with which
the natives complied with this order were a most
satisfactory proof of their confidence and regard
long and tedious fight against the cholera, and
when the smallpox broke out leaving forty-three
dead in barrio. it seemed as though the fates
opposing the province and pestilence was
victor.
However in travelling about the province I find
new houses. rice fields. coffee plantations,
larger gardens ard clean yards. all Of which indi-
cate that many consider themselves safe in prop
erty and life and content to begin again accumu-
lating property to repay the losses of the last
seven wears. Again. it is gratifying novelty TO
Igorroe that the white man. especially If it be
an official. pays for what he gets, be it produce,
curios labor
All the pueblos of the province are in good 1nan-
cfal condition. and five building tribunals.
try only thirty-two cases and have been appealed
to as arbitrator only eight times by Igorrotes who
were not satisfied with the findings of their native
tribunals OF course this does represent the
entire criminal calendar Of the province for each
pueblo has IT'S council. which sits court over
petty difficulties arising between individuals From
these councils the IgorrOte seldom apDealS accept
ing the decision of their own headmen as first and