The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-16

Except in the mild. mountainous sec
tion OF the unexplored Island Of Samar,
in the Moro region or the Rio Grande
and Lake Lanao, in the sparsely settled
Island Of Mindanao and In the Island OF
JoIo. conditions as to the tranquility and
Ladronism. he says. continue 10 improve.
and except In the places mentioned, agri-
culture and the arts Of peace arc not at
all interfered with by lawless bands or de-
predations.
He says Il is quite satisfactory 10 OBJ
serve the good effect of settled policy
with respect to the civil service. under
stringent civil service law, on the per-
sonuel and efficiency OF the service. Many
OF the Filipinos are learning English
and applying for examinations as English
clerks
The secretary says that the falling off
in the permanent revenues has reduced
the funds available for education. From
the central government last year the
amount expended did not exceed $1,000
900 as against 81 10000 the previous year.
He adds that without wasting money So
COO 600 a year i'm the maintenance OF the
public schools Of the Philippine Islands
could readily be expended. The enroll
ment has increase from $4,000 TO 2bS,0o
IN one year. and there is a demand for
American teachers and Filipino teachers
in each province. The total expenditures
for educational expenses last year were
nearly 100000.
HIGH OPIUM LICENSE
Referring 10 the proposed bond issue
OF s. 900 for general improvements. the
secretary says that owing TO the loss in
customs receipts. which point 10 dehcit
this year. It 10 very important that tho
section OF the bill which has passed the
the house and senate already authorizing
the issue of the bonds be enacted
The secretary further says that II is
likely the customs revenues during the
next six months will increase to their
normal amount, avoiding the possibility
OF deficit.
In regard 10 regulation OF opium trade
the secretary says that the plan or the
opium committee ought to be adopted
with one variation, and that is instead
Of a government monopoly for three years
that very high license be instituted,
with sale OF the drug only 10 officially
registered smokers, and a total prohi-
bition OF the sale OF opium after three
years except for medical purposes.
In his letter the secretary says that
a bill referring TO the controversy be-
ween the Roman Catholic church and
the new so-called independent Filipino
Catholic church had been drawn by Gov
ernor Wright and has been sent 10 the
department for suggestion.
The commission recommends that n be
allowed to issue silver certificates, which
may be redeemed either by the new sill
YER pesos or United states gold coin at
s.. .ooo 600 the legal and fixed ratio OF 81 gold
for two pesos.
The commission. which now has on hand
s2ooO.coo IN gold coin. would thus avoid
the necessity OF purchase and coinage Of
bullion enough to make 100000 pesos.
MIGHT MELT NEW COINS.
Regarding the new coinage Of the ISL
ends the secretary says. one of the
most satisfactory results of the govern
ment's transactions during the year I'm
the islands Is the establishment on firm
basis Of the new coinage. The Spanish d
Filipino coin and the Mexican coin have
been practically driven out of the Islands
the former by purchase Of the govern b
ment and recoinage into new coins.
and the latter by legislation hostile to
the importation and circulation Of the
Mexican, as well as by strong demand
for. n In other countries.
The danger which presents itself now
r. tho rise I'm the price Of silver, which
n 10 continues. may mako the silver peso
worth more than 50 cents gold the pres
ent standard of value. and thus lead TO
the melting N tho new silver pesos 81
the Philippine government.
During the year the commission has
enacted an internal revenue law and
abolished the Industrial taxes which had
come down from the spanish regime. Tho
Internal revenue law has not been In
operation sufficient length Of time TO