The Jackson herald., 1905-01-26
WANTS $5,OOO,OOO
FOR. EDUCATION
Tariff Changes Urged and Opium and
Saloon Evils Mentioned.


Washington: Secretary Taft has
submitted to the President the an
nual report of the Philippine commits
sion, together with separate reports
to the commission of the civil govern
or of the islands, and of the heads of
the four departments.
The secretary says. in his letter
transmitted to the President. that the
reports show the great benefits which
have been conferred upon the islands
by continued state Of tranquility
Except in the wild, mountainous re-
gions OF the unexplored island of Sa-
mar. and in the Moro region OF the
Rio Grande and Lake Lanao. in the
sparsaly settled island of Mindanao
and IN the island of Jolo. conditions
as TO tranquility and ladronism. he
says. continue to improve. and, except
in the places mentioned, agriculture
and the arts of peace are not at all
interefed with b. lawless bands or
depredations.
He says 1t is quite satisfactory to
observe the good effect of settled
policy with respect to civil service,
under a stringent civil service law,
on the personnel and efficiency of the
service Many of the Filipinos are
learning English and applying for eX-
aminations as English clerks.
The secretary says the falling of
in the government revenues has re-
duced the funds available Tor educa-
tlon. From the central government
last year the amount expended did not
exceed $i,200,0O0 as against 81 600.
600 the previous year. He adds that.
without wasting money, $5.O0O.O0O a
year in the maintenance of the public
schools of the Philippines could be
readil< expended.
The enrolment has increased from
1900 to 263,000 in one year. and
there is a demand for American teach
ers and Filipino teachers in each pro
vince. The total expenditures for edu.
cation last year. including those from
central provinces and municipal gov
ernments. was nearly s2,000.000
Referring to the proposed bond is
sue of s5,OO0.OO0 for general improve
ments. the secretary says that owing
to the loss in customs receipts, which
points TO n dedcit this year. il Is very
important that the section of the bill
which has passed the House and Sen
ate already. authorizing the issue ol
the bonds. be enacted The secretary
further states it is likely the customs
revenues during the next six months
will increase to their normal amount
avoiding the possibility of a deficit.
The secretary says that the i'm.
provement of Manila harbor has made
good progress. The work of construct.
ING a temporary wharf at the import
AM port OF Cebu has been completed
and the improvement of the harbor al
IioIlo is in Rrogress. \ large part ol
the s3O00,0Oo voted by Congress has
been and is being expended in the con
struction of roads in the islands.
The secretary refers to the report
of the opium commission. which visit
ed various countries of the Orient tC
investigate the method of regulating
the opium traffic OF these countries
and TO recommend a proper opium law
for the Philippines. 1t recommended
the adoption of law similar to that
in force in Formosa. providing a gov
crnmert monopoly for three years ant
prohibition thereafter, except for med
icinai purposes.
The secretary says that the plan q
the opium committee ought to he
adopted. with one variation, and thai
Is. instead of government monopoly
ior three years, that a very .ngh Ii
Ccnse be instituted. with sale of the
drag only to officially registered smoli
ers. and 4 total prohibition of the sal,
OF opium after three years, except FOL
medical purposes.
The secretary says that the customs
laws OF the Philippine islands, origin
ALLY adopted. have been proved Il
be entirely satisfactory, and he eX
meets soon to frame a bill amendins
the tariff law for transmission to Con
Crcss
The secretary says that bill re
ferring to the controversies betweeI
the Roman catholic church and tn,
new so-called independent Filipino
CaTholiC church has been drawn b!
Gov. Wright and has been sent to tn,
department for suggestions. The bill
doubtless will be enacted about Feb
ruary l, and it is hoped that the dis
putes will be ended before the close o
the present year.
Earthquake Wrecks Town.
London: A dispatch from ST Peters