The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-24
Governor Wright's Reply.

Governor Wright says in part:
Manila-Secretary of War, Washing
ton:
First-The statement that any consid-
cradle number Of officials have proven
corrupt, inefficient or despotic does great
injustice to a body Of hard working, self
respecting Americans, whose character
and service will compare favorably with
those Of the employees Of the federal or
state governments. Whilst there have
been number Of defaults by subordi-
mates, they are few as compared with the
whole. and have been promptly detected
and punished. We have comprehensive
civil service law, rigidly enforced, under
which antecedents and qualifications OF
employees are scrutinized. Defaulters,
with few exceptions, appointed during
disturbed conditions, prior to the inaugu-
ration Of the law. Complaints of OPP
presslve acts exceptional and promptly
investigated and corrected. Relations be-
tween the officials and ~ Filipinos, as
rule, cordial.
second-Nothing warranting the state
ment that towns are in ruins, land are
going out Of cultivation, people ill-fed,
unable to get work, and country ruined
agriculturally.
~ Demand for Labor LARGE
= Towns in same state as before the in
surrection, save a few burned by insur-
gents which have been rebuilt and re-
occupied. Towns generally populated as
before. Sanitary conditions greatly i'm
proved. Demand for labor generally
equals and in some cases exceeds supply
and at increased wages.
During the fiscal year ending June 80,
1904, exports were 30,227, 127, imports
$50, 221 $50 Exports fell off as compared
with previous year because Of decrease
in coppra and sugar crops, due to phe-
nomenally small rainfall in certain Sec
tons and to the plague of locusts in
others. OF expectations $21,794,960 was
hemp; of importations $11,548,814 was
rice, the principal food of the people. =
Present crop in all lines exceptionally
good, and prices remunerative, and there
is not now and will not be for the COM
ing year any suffering from lack of food.
Enrolment public schools in 1903 was
1s4,2o2 and in 1904, 263,55s.
Third-Taxation is not oppressive. Gus
toms duties average about Is per cent ad
valorem, as compared with Is per cent
under Spanish regime. Industrial taxes
are also less than Spanish. Receipts hon
estly applied for the benefit of the people.
Fourth-It is not true that there are
whole districts In the hands Of the La
drones. There have been occasional in
stances during the last year Of depreda-
tons Of Ladrones, who. find: concealment
in remote mountain Businesses and raid
isolated settlements of natives and steal
their caribou. These have been relent-
lessly pursued by the constabulary and
scouts, who are natives usually COM
manded by American officers.
There is no disorder or disposition to
violence among the great mass of the
people, who are attending to their usual
vocations.
Free Speech.
Establishments that newspapers are
bought up or browbeaten into silence, that
men Of influence who criticise the COM
mission are ostracised. that all organs OF
expression of public opinion controlled
and that there Is no free expression OF
the popular mind are wholly unsupported
by fact. b. a..<=: =.
It is equally untrue that men in private
life are subject to espionage or that de-
tectives in the guise Of servants are en-
ployed.
Judge Parker has evidently been grossly
deceived. ..~- Wright.