Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-26
doubt many will enjoy the benefits of this
regulation.
Must Remain Two Years

doubt many will enjoy the benefits of this
regulation.
Must Remain Two Years.
Persons appointed to the Philippine serv-
Ice In the United States are required to sign
contracts that they will remain here two
years. and their travelling expenses here
and back to their homes again are paid IL
the service has been satisfactory
The law requires six and a half hours
razor dally from each clerk and official but
uurihs the not weather this is reduced to
hve hours. Persons receiving salaries of
sSoo or less are allowed twenty days vaca-
tion annually; those whose salaries are be-
tween $500 and $1.sOO have thirty DAYS
and those having salaries of more than
LS00 have thirty-five days
There have been a good many scandals
In the service here. and certain writero
have attributed them to defects in the or
ganiZat1on or administration of the govern
ment. but the evidence shows that NAL
feasance in Office is lessened in proportion
to the thoroughness OF the applications of
the merit system. The record shows that
OF the entire number of employees who have
been weighed in the balance and found
wanting only five entered the service by
competitive examination and certification
from the board The remainder were in the
employ OF the government during the mill
tary occupation and We're continued in Of
flee by the civil authorities: others were de-
taiied from the military service provided
by law, and others were occupying un-
classified positions.
Defaulting Americans.
In his final report Gov Taft said: Amer
leans responsible for the government in
these islands have suffered a most humilI-
ating experience In the number of defalca-
lions of Americans charged with the Off
cial duty of collecting and disbursinR
money. The defalcations in the islands
have extended also to the clerical service
of the American business firms in the
Islands. The practice of the government
has been 10 appoint to positions of pecuni-
airy trust. especially those where the
amount OF money handled was large, Amer
leans alone, both in the provinces and in
the insular government. They were all
placed under bond either In the Union Sc
curity and Guarantee Company, or later in
the Fidelity and Deposit Company OF Mary
land or the American Surety COMPANY of
New York. Every one connected with the
government realized as soon these de-
falcations were made public the democrat
izing effect that such revelations must have
upon the service unless such dishonesty
was promptly punished. a still more seri-
Gus result was the effect upon the Fflipinos,
who had been advised that Americans
would be honest where others had not been
so careful In accounting for pubic money.
prosecutions were vigorously begun
against all defaultiug officers. and the
surety companies have responded when
shown their liability
The question that naturally presented
Itself after Il review of these instances of
recurrence of them. | am glad to say that
| think not. They the natural result
of the circumstances under which the selec-
ton for official positions in the beginning
of this government had to be made. The
mode of selecting under the civil service
law could not of course be applied al first
because the government had to become at
once going concern. The army officers
who had begun civil government here had
to be relieved. the number of officers. as
civil government spread through the prov
inces, had to be largely increased. and the
material from which selections had to be
made was those men who had resigned
from the army had been mustered out
and proposed to remain in the Philippines.
1t was impossible in the selection of so
many officers to institute Il thorough inves-
tigation of their lives in the states. There
were men among those who have since
proven to be defa ulters who changed their
names in view of avoiding Investigations
which would have disclosed dishonesty in
their past lives.
Effect of Change of Scene
Then. too, in the very unsettled condi-
lions which have prevailed here. men who
would not have yielded to temptation to
dishonesty in the states were unable to
resist it here. AS was said in the first re-
port of the commission: Many leave the
United States honest. but with the weaken
Ing of the restraints of home associations
and with the anxious desire of making so
mary advantage. decentralization and dis
honesty much more likely to follow
than at home. To avoid the dangers pre-
scented by these conditions It Is necessary,
first, to Danish all favoritism and political
considerations from the selection of civil
servants, and rigidly enforce the require
ments of competitive examination and n
satisfactory showing by the applicant of
his good moral character; second to pay
adequate salaries, and to allow liberal
leaves of absence adapted to the preserva-
ton of health In the tropics. thus securing
that contentment without which good work
is not possible; and, third. to awaken an
enthusiasm In the service by Offering as a
reward for faithful and highly efficient
work reasonable prospect of promotion
to the highest positions in the govern
ment'
The lack of ordinary rational and health
ful amusements for one engaged as a pro-
vincial officer in the country itself turns
the minds of not overstrong natures to-
ward vicious pursuits and diversions like
those of gambling and licentious associa-
lions with pative women.
The percentage of defaulters appears 70
have been about per cent. This is far
too large. but, as Judge Taft SAYS I'VE feel
that next year will show a notable de-
crease. 1t is Ill wind that blows no.
body good and the punishment of Ameri-
can officials for dishonesty furnishes the
f1npinos spectacle which they never once
enjoyed during the Spanish regime II IA
not matter of inference but IT is a mat
ter of observation, that the prompt trial
fcials has inspired in the Filipino conf
dence In the sense of justice of this gov
eminent"