The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-18
TAFT'S SPEECHES
 DO NOT SATISFY American Papers At Manila Criticise Secretary ASSEMBLY IN A DISPUTE President Osmena Calls Down Do- minador Gomez for Injecting Poitl-
 cal Sentiment Into the
 Legislature.
ASSEMBLY IN A DISPUTE

Manila, October 17.-Secretary Taft was entertained at luncheon today by Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, commander of the military division of the Philippines. In the afternoon he attended a reception at the Jesuit college. and this evening he was present at reception given in his honor by the officers of the army and navy.
 MT. Taft is not inclined to discuss Philippine issues until after the official banquet which is to be given him on Monday next, when he will outline the future policy of the government toward the islands. The general impression caused among the Fflipinos by the sec retarys speech at the opening of the as- sembly yesterday is excellent but the American papers here call for a prompt announcement of the governments policy toward the islands, and declare that MT. Taft evaded any positive statements on the subject and allege that his speech was a rehash of the addresses which he made here two years ago.
 A clash occurred in the assembly today between President Sergio Osmena, na- tionalst. and Dominador Gomez, who sec- onded the presidents nomination yester- day in an eloquent speech, and who dur ing the afternoon session yesterday de- livered an address declaring against bringing politics into legislative busi- ness, and asking the delegates to show their patriotism by forsakins party af- hliations and legislating for the benefit of the Filipino people.
 Delegates Surprised. Gomez, whose election is to be contest ed, but who was formally sworn with other assemblymen yesterday made an appeal to the delegates to disregard poi- tics, but the president stopped Gomez and announced that he would use his au- thority as president Of the assembly to have it stricken from the records. The delegates were surprised at this early be- ginning of the fight. The adherents of Gomez, who is leader of the famous Kati- punan revolutionary society and ex-presi- dent of the national party, during the course of the days proceedings in the as sembly, defeated a plan to rush through that body a series of special rules for par liamentary procedure which had been drawn up by the president. The latter, however, managed to secure the tempor-
 
 derstood that he will not permit them to be changed.
 Petitions against the confirmation of an election of F delegates. all of whom are alleged to be unfit to take part in leg islation for the islands, were presented to- day.
 A joint session of the Philippine com mission and the assembly took place this afternoon for the purpose of hearing the Ft,pVprQOr General the state of the islands. He reviewed the history of the Philippines. and pointed out what had been accomplished by the Americans in comparison with the Spaniards. showing them American rule had meant improvement, the reduction of taxation, and a better distribution among the rich and poor alike of the expenses of government, which were less than in any other country in the world having a similar population. He re- ferred to the fact that the new legislature of the islands is similar to that of sey- eral other countries and advised spending on schools the money which hitherto had been used in the suppression of disorders in various parts of the islands.
 FiIipinos Criticised.
 The Governor General criticised the Filipino municipalities for their indiffer- ence, neglect and extravaganza and
 
 ing for better administration of muni- cipal affairs.
 Much of the lack of development of the islands. he said, was due to this mal- administration, especially the failure to maintain in good condition the roads which the government had built. Re- ferring to the finances of the island the Governor General stated that the as- sembly would be held strictly to account by the people in this connection and gave the figures for the receipts, expendi- lures, etc., of the fiscal year of 19O6-1907.
 Secretary Taft during today made a tour of Manila in an automobile and carefully inspected the improvements made since his last visit to the islands He declared that the progress of the past two years was very great and ex- pressed himself as being highly pleased with the condition of affairs in this city and the reports submitted by the gover- ners of the Philippine provinces.
 MT. Taft reiterated his denial that he was disappointed by the result of the recent elections. and said that the result was just what he expected. He expressed confidence that the delegates to the as- sembly would see the advantage of up- hclding the present system of govern ment; said he was satisfied with the elec- ton of Osmena to the presidency of the assembly, of whose ability he spoke highly, and added that he thought the assembly had made an suspicious begin- ming with presaged good work in the future.
 Operators Get Old Jobs.