Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-30
Great Interest Felt Here.

Great interest is manifested among the
officials at the War Department In regard
to the elections In progress in the Philip
pines today. The latest official advices on
the subject were to the effect that there
had been a comparatively small reg1stra-
! ton on the part of the qualified native
voters. The impression prevails at the de-
partment that the elections will not dis
close the full strength of the various polit-
ical parties In the archipelago.
The elections today are for delegates to
the assembly, provincial governors. a third
member of the provincial board, municipal
presidents and vice presidents and munich
pal councillors. The delegates are to con-
tinue in Office until their successors are
elected and qualified. Subsequent elections
on the first Tuesday after the first Monday
of November 1909, and on each odd num-
bered year thereafter. The delegates so
elected assume office from the list day Of
January next following such election and
hold office for two years.
Provincial governors and third member
of the provincial board and municipal pres
idents and vice presidents are elected at the
same time. All hold Office for a period of
two years and assume their duties upon the
list Of January next succeeding their elec.
ton. The municipal councillors. while elect
ed at the same time as the other officers.
serve for four years. Whenever vacancy
occurs in an elective provincial Office the
vacancy Is to be filled by the governor gen.
eral, but vacancies in municipal offices are
filled by appointment by the provincial
board.
Qualifications for Voters.
The following qualifications are required
Of all voters: They must be males. twenty
three years Of age. have legal residence
In the municipality in which they desire to
exercise the right Of suffrage. must not be
a citizen or subject Of any foreign power
nd nr0ytStOnS
Of one of the three following classes:
(a) Those who prior to August ID. 1898.
held certain offices under the Spanish gov
eminent;
(b)Those who own real property to the
value of 500 pesos or who annually pay 80
pesos or more of the established taxes.
(c) Those who read or write English or
Spanish.
There is, therefore, an ex-of1cial. property
or educational qualification in order to ex-
ercise the right of suffrage. Among the dis
qualifications non-payment OF taxes
since 1898. sentence of a court of competent
Jurisdiction. violation of the oath of allie
glance to the United States. to have been
In arms against the authority Of the United
States since May 1, 1901 or rendering aid
to those who opposed the authority Of the
United States.
Inspectors of election are appointed whose
duty 1t Is to preserve order and to prepare
q register Of qualified voters In their re-
spective precincts.
Australian Ballot System.
Tie elections are conducted under the gen.
eral provisions of the Australian ballot sys-
tenn both as to the printing of the official
ballots and as to providing a polling booth
where the voter may prepare his ballot in
secret Provision is made for challenging
the right of any voter to cast his ballot and
for counting votes and announcing the re-
silt / enaltes are prescribed for any cor
rupt practices by either voters. candidates
or officers of the election.
The assembly elected today will be leg
islative body composed OF eighty-one ap-
portioned on the basis of one delegate to
each $4,000 Of population. and provision Is
made to increase that number. but the total
number of delegates must not exceed 100.
The assembly may be likened in general
way to the United States House of Repre-
sentatives. while the Philippine commission
will be the upper house or senate The acts
of the assembly must receive the approval
OF the commission in order to become laws.