The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-09
Government Teacher
 Tells of Philippine Islands

, ernors. In case of frauds or irregular ities in elections the Governor General | has authority to decide who Is elected. or he may discard all contesting can didates and appoint a governor. The governors are usually Fiiipinos. think there are only two American governors left. The treasurer and su- pervisor are appointed by the commis- sion. and these officials are invariably Americans. Among the non-christian tribes Americans are still appointed as governors. The Moros on account of their re- lligion and persistent belligerent atti- tude, have been set apart and turned over to General Leonard Wood whose task 1t is to discipline them. General Wood with his staff governs the Moro provinces, and makes his report to the Philippine Commission. The commis- sion makes an annual report to the president of the United States.
 ''The Judiciary consists of a supreme court, A court of first instance, and a | police court, or justice court. The judges of the supreme bench are ap- | pointed by the president, judges of | first instance by the commission. There
 is no trial by jury. The court of final
 appeal is the supreme court of the
 United States.
 | Many of the Spanish laws still pre- vail The transition from Spanish to
 American law has been very gradual
 So much of the Spanisgh code has been Irritating to Americans. Much of the civil code has been changed. The com mission has just about finished a new lcriminal code. By our treaty with Spain the court language of the is- Hands was to continue Spanish for six wears after the establishment of civil government. The time will have ex- pired on July 4, 1906.
 'The Filipinos are given a liberal share in the administration of the government. In fact their services are utilized as rapidly as they demonstrate
 their fitness and ability. They are Hound as clerks, translators, type writers, etc., In every department of Ithe service. They serve as judges in every grade of the judiciary. The lchief justice of the islands and the so- llicitor general of the islands are Eil-
 spinos, both eminent jurists of high in- ltegrity.
 "The islands are policed by the con- stabulary, an organization of native
 troops, officered by Americans. The natives rank as high as second lieu
 tenants. These troops seem to be loy-
 al and faithful. There are few deser-
 
 lmutiny or rebellion. There are only
 about 12,o0O American troops left n Ithe islands. and most of them do only
 garrison duty about Manila. But there
 is no doube the very presence of the American soldier lends confidence and
 determination to the native troops.
 The expenses of the Philippine
 government are not defrayed by tho ) United States. The Philippines have
 | AG h ) have their own tariff and their owr Iinternal revenue For all purposes o } customs the Philippines government fl that of a foreign nation. Commerce. } going from the United States to thu
 Philippines pays the duty. commerc' } coming from the Philippines to thu : United States pays the duty. Not on' cent does Uncle Sam pay to maintain ' the Philippine government. He de 5 frays the expenses of his army and m more Congress did give $3,000,0 900 t the islands two years ago with whicl ! to furnish the farmers with beasts O i burden and to give food to fev = starving provinces. In 1so0-02 tn = rinderpest, a fatal disease, swept ava = so per cent of the cattle, and fields 0 I rice and cane went to waste A par . of that fund is still held in trust fo = the suffering and deserving,
 j. ITO the many questions What do yo e think of the Filipinos7 Is he capabl
 of enlightenment and self government = I answer The outlook Is promising g r We are there to teach them wisely tn = art of self government. Perhaps the :, are not yet in their freshman year . A large per cent of the population ar . loyal, lending their aid and in1uenc = to the government. They seem in = measure to understand and appreciat f the benefcent purpose of the Unite = States. They have made rapid pro !, gress during the few years of civ 5, Administration. They are eager { l. learn and become informed. The prot r lem deserves the best tuition. demand e the best talent that the United State = can afford"