The sun., 1907-08-19
Secretary Taft at Manila. .

Ia the early part of October the
first Philippine Legislature will assem-
BILE at Manila. The seventy members
Of the body corresponding to our House
of Representatives were elected in July.
The other body, corresponding to moth
ing in our form of government, consists
of the Philippine Commission. These
two constitute what may be described
as the Congress of the islands Secretary
TAFT's chief object in visiting our far
of possessions at this time is to attend
the first session and, in a sense, to pre-
side over the Inauguration Of an expert
ment he has done so much to render
possible.
OF course the function OF this Legis-
lature as it is at present organized will
be largely educational. What we may
regard a. the upper house is in fact the
Philippine Commission. The popular
house, theoretically chosen by the people.
has really been chosen by a very limited
electorate, and its members are with few
exceptions men of property and edu-
cation. Besides, it is to be understood
that the upper house may vote supplies
without the cooperation of the so-called
popular" branch, should such coopera-
tion be refused. Thus the really indis-
pensable achievements Of legislation
are always practicable, while the veto
power, residing finally in Washington,
provides absolute safety against even
the most improbable combinations at
Manila. II is well within the facts there
fore to say that the Philippine Congress
as at present constituted will serve as an
agency of political education and moth
ing more. The Americans" are still in
as complete control as ever. and it is
entirely safe to assume that the arrange
ment will not be amended while there
remains the slightest doubt of the wis
dom Of such policy.
We must consider, however. that moth
ing more than this has yet been promised
or even contemplated by either the
Mckinley or Roosevelt Administration.
Secretary TAFT has not in his most jovial
and expansive moments cherished any
perilous illusions His sole idea has
been that possibly, by associating certain
selected Filipinos in the pageantry and
perquisites of Government, our people
might little by little recruit an influential
native element Of loyalty Conceivably
he went still further and imagined de-
velopment under which the Filipinos
would be converted gradually TO our
social ideals and political PHILOSOPHERS.
This, however, is the most adventurous
conjecture. What we actually know is
that the Government is taking no OF
chances, and what we solemnly conclude
is that the Government is wiser some
times than it is at others.
Let us say of Secretary TAFT Ihowever,
that in this regard he has been careful
and consistent from the outset A man
of clear mind and most alert perceptions,
he evidently realized some years ago
the formidable difficulties of the Filipino
problem. Set to the task of reconciling
an older if inferior civilization to novel
standards and upsetting customs, he
sang no siren music for his own allure
ment So he knows exactly what to look
for in Manila. He knows that majority
of the newly elected members OF the
Philippine Congress, cultivated and fnan-
cially responsible though they be- are
pledged TO advocate Filipino indepen-
dence and will officially subscribe to moth
ing less. He counted on this from the
first, and in no wise have his expectations
gone astray. The consummation has
neither disappointed nor elated him. He
goes to Manila, therefore. with a full
understanding of the situation that
awaits him. He hopes to conquer all its
difficulties and to blaze path TO better
things.
Here il an enterprise in which Secre-
tary TAFT appears TO great advantage.
He is always at his best indeed, when
spealinp and acting for himself