New-York tribune., 1907-10-06
PHILIPPINE PROGRESS.
What Meeting of First assembly
U7W See in Gain Orer Past
fFrom Tie Tribune Bureau.l

fFrom Tie Tribune Bureau.1
Washington, oct. 1.-The first step in the di>
rection of the establishment of representative
government in the Philippine Islands will be
taken on October Ii, when the newly elected
Assembly will meet for the first time in the city
of Manila. The War Department at Washington
has been advised that Secretary Taft expects 10
reach Manila in time for these opening cercmo-
nies
THE Philippines are ours not TO exploit, but to
develop, to civilize, to educate, to train in the
science of sef-government. This is the path Of
duty which must follow, be rec reant TO a
mighty trust committed to us. Thr question is
not will it pay. but will We do what is right
said President Mckinley, and his declaration has
been the guide and gospel of Secretary Taft in
shaping the policy Of the United States toward
its little brown brothers since the beginning of
the establishment Of civil rule i'll the islands SIX
years ago
When asked recently if he was not disap-
pointed at the results of the election Of momt,rs
of the Philippine Assembly. Sec retary Taft
lntimated that ne not. The elections" hc
admitted, left a great deal to bc desired, but no
does well the first time lie tries new th..g
We must remember that first Of all the Assem-
bly, is an educational institution. 1t is designed
to educate the Filipinos in the art of sclf-Eoy-
ernment. 1t would be shortsiEhted indeed to
become discouraged and dish, drtened because
the first attempt not a SIGNAL success 1t is
only with actual practice that the Fll!piuos Viii
become proficient and considering their short
experience they are certainly learning rapidly"
Though the carrying out of the policy euuu-
ciated by President Mckinley has been attcu3ed
by many dsappoiutments it i. only necessary
to compare the conditions which existed IN IT,.
Philippines under Spanish rule with tn co4di-
tions as they exist to-day to get at Tho measure
Of progress that has been made
A Spanish lieutenant general was their Gov
ernor General, vioeroy, endowed with an the
authority and power Of the thr ne. Ills io.,,rs
were absolute in all matters save thos.. ;r-,....,
the judiciary. No Filipino was consulted r--
garding the government of his country. his o-oy-
ince or his town. Even his church was largely
dominated 10y the Crown, which nominated its
bishops and archhshops.
The science Of sef-Eovcrument was not ONLY
unfamiliar TO the Filipino. He had hardly even
heard Of it, Its theory ana practice we., to him
alike little more than dream. And it wa. tbs
people, wholly unschoolcd in the art of S.. IT,
government, hardly schooed at all in the science
OF self-control. whom the United STATE u.d .r-
TOOK to educate, and il William H. Tart
whom President Mckinley chose for the difficult
position OF schoolmastcr to a nation.
To-day the mayor OF every Philip. il, town
and every municipal officer are elected hy tn,
direct vote of the people. who also cIcc. a ma
lorlty of each provincial board only tho Iro-
Tncial treasurer is appointed 10y the Governor
General The Governor OF each province il.
elected by the municipal councils. which are
themselves elected ly the toplc. And having
learned the principles OF self government
through the election Of their own municipal ..uI
provincial officers, the people have now elected
the members Of the lower house which IS to CON
vene this month. and which. with the Philippin.
Commission. will constitute the congress OF the
Philippines which congress will eject the two
resident Philippine commissioners who will here
after represent the islands in WASHINGTON OF
the Philippine Commission, which constitutes the
upper house of the Philippine congress- three
out of IA total membe rship OF eight are Fiiip;Uos
The Supreme Court Of the Philippines is COM
posed Of seven members, of whom three arr.
f1lipinos, while more than half of the Judges in
the courts of first instance, which correspond To
the circuit courts of the United States are ma
tives as are all the justices of the peace who
constitute the lowest courts. apart from the
tribunals conducted by the alcaldcs
or mayors. The Attorney General of the ISL
ands is a Filipino. are practically all the