Arizona republican., 1905-12-06


 United States treasury of taxes and, what is far more important in de- bauching the Indians by carrying liq- uors into territory still completely un- der federal Jurisdiction.
 Among the present crying needs of the Indians are more day schools sit uated in the midst of their settlements, more effective instruction in the in- dustries pursued on their own farms, and a more liberal extension of the field-matron service, which means the education of the Indian women in the arts of home making. Until the moth CTS are well started in the right di- rection we can not reasonably expect much from the children who are soon to form an integral part of our Amer ican citizenship. Moreover, the excuse continually advanced by male adult h. dians for refusing offers of remunera- tive employment at a distance from their homes is that they dare not leave their families too long out of their sight. One effectual remedy for this state of things is to employ the minds and strengthen the moral fiber of the Indian women-the end to which the work of tke field matron is especially directed. I trust that the congress will make it's appropriations for Indian day schools and field matrons as generous as may consist with the other pressing demands upon its providence.
 THE PHILIPPINES.
 During the last year the Philippine Islands have been slowly recovering from the series of disaster; which, since American occupation, have greatly re- duced the amount of agricultural pro- 
 Spanish times. The war, the rinder- pest, the locusts, the drought, and the cholera have been united as causes to prevent a return of prosperity much needed in the islands. The most ser ious is the destruction by the rinder- pest of more than 75 per cent. of the draft cattle, because it will take sev- eral years of breeding to restore the necessary number of these indispensa- ble aids to agriculture. The commits cion attempted to supply by purchase from adjoining countries the needed cattle, but the experiments made were unsuccessful. Most Of the cattle inn ported were unable to withstand the change of climate and the rigors of the voyage and died from other dis eases than rinderpest.
 The income of the Philippine gov ernment has necessarily been reduced by reason of the business and agricuI- tural depression in the islands, and the government has been obliged to exercise great economy to cut down it's expenses, to reduce salaries. and ir every way to avoid a deficit. It has adopted an internal-revenue law, imposing taxes on cigars, cigarettes. and distilled liquors, and abolishinS the old Spanish industrial taxes. The law has not operated as smoothly as was hoped, and although its principle is undoubtedly correct, it may need amendments for the purpose of recon ciling the people to it's provisions. The income derived from it has partly made up for the reduction in customs revenue.
 There has been a marked increase in the number of Filipinos employed in the civil service, and a correspond ing decrease in the number of Ameri- cans. The government in every one of it's departments has beer rendered more efficient by elimination of unde- sirable material and the promotion of deserving public servants.
 Improvements of harbors, roads, and bridges continue, although the cutting
 
 pending of any great amount from current income for these purposes. Steps are being taken, by advertise ment for competitive bids, to secure the construction and maintenance of 1000 miles of railway by private cor porations under the recent enabling legislation of the congress. The trans fer of friar lands, in accordance with the contract made some two years ago, has been completely effected, and the purchase money paid. Provision has just been made by statute for the speedy settlement in a special pro- ceeding in the supreme court of con- troversies over the possession and ti- tie of church buildings and rectories arising between the Roman Catholic church and schismatics claiming un- der ancient municipalities. Negotia- tions and hearings for the settlement of the amount due to the Roman Cath ollie church for rent and occupation of churches and rectories by the army of the United States are in progress, and it is hoped satisfactory conclu- sion may be submitted to the congress before the end of the session.
 SPREADING TRANQUILITY.
 Tranquility has existed during the past year throughout the archipelago, except in the province of Cavite, the province of Batangas, and the prov ince of Samar and in the island of Jolo among the Moros. The Jolo dis turbance was put an end to by several sharp and short engagements and now peace prevails in the Moro province. Cavite, the mother of ladrones in the Spanish times, is so permeated with the traditional sympathy of the people for ladronism as to make it difficult to stamp out the disease. Batagas was only disturbed by reason of the fugitive ladrones from Cavite, Samar, was thrown into disturbance by the uneducated and partly savage peoples living in the mountains, who, having been given by the municipal code more power than they were able to exercise discreetly, elected municipal officers who abused their trusts, com pelled the people raising hemp to sell it at a much less price than it was worth, and by their abuses drove the people into resistance to constituted authority. Cavite and Samar are in stances of reposing too much confi- dence in the governing power of