Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-13
A cres, American Colonial Governor.

~ AECdI WIN iSa' SSNSfA'eN
Governor Taft leaves the Philip
pine Islands with the insular govern
ment not only self-supporting, but
even lending money to provinces and
municipalities. Under the Spanish
rule the rich man imported cham
payne free OF duty and the poor man
paid a prohibitiye duty on kerosene
and wheat -four. Under the new In
sular government the tariff has been
removed from necessities and increas-
ed on ~luxuries. The revenue. instead
OF decreasing, has shown an Increase.
Out OF the surplus a coast-guard SER
| vice has been established, which not
only affords protection but also estaD'
fishes quick communication between
the islands. This coast.guard fleet In.
cludes twenty vessels, each lao feet
in length, manned by Filipino crews
and American engineers. This SER
vice was installed at a cost OF $1,000
900, which was a surplus out OF The
revenues of the islands.
Ii Governor Tafts offer to purchase
the friars' lands Is accepted, 1t will
record his greatest achievement as
governor. When he assumed the
reigns OF government, the question OF
the friars' lands was the burning ques.
ton In the islands. Governor Tart de-
termined on a business course. He
had the land surveyed and a fair val
uation approximately $4,000, oU0)
placed on il. He then heard both
sides. He questioned the friars very
frankly about the charges OF immoral
ity that had been made against them
he questioned the people who hated
the friars for acquiring the best land
I. Is Governor Taft's plan TO buy the
land and give first chance for owner
ship TO the present tenants. His visit
to Pope Leo was an evidence of his
desire to act in harmony with the
church.
As president of the first Philippine
commission Judge Taft drafted the
! civil service act, and as governor he
witnessed its successful operation
He required efficiency as the first
qualification, and no drones were al
lowed. Heads of departments report
ed to him directly instead of to tn,
, head OF the bureau. He encouraged
: the appointment OF natives to offices
OF trust.
) Governor Taft found an oppressive
/ tax system. The poor man was pay
. ling a tax on his plow. which was I
| necessity and the rich man who own
r ed hundreds of acres paid no land tax
A land tax Is now assessed and Yields
. a large revenue.
The success OF the constabulary, al
armed native force OF 5000, has beef
{ a vindication OF Governor Taft's con
fidence In the Fflipinos. The deser
lions from the constabulary are feweI
in proportion than those from thu
army now In the Islands. GoyerDO
Taft has given his active cooperation
to public education. Early in hisl III
r on the islands he saw that the ma
u tives were united on two things: a de
S testation of the friars and a desire TO
education. During his administrator
1000 teachers were brought over from
the United States TO teach English
r Primary schools have been establish
s ed in every province. There are mum
s erous provincial secondary higl
n schools, while at Manila there Is al
excellent normal school. One hun
c bred Filipinos will be sent to the Unit
ed States to get technical and univer
@ sity educations.
4 Governor Taft's administration ha
e witnessed the introduction OF a soun'
currency, the improvement Of har
bors. the establishment OF cable ser
vice. and the taking of a census whicl
cost $1,000 00.-The Worlds Work.