St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-08-14
The Philippine Elections.
Interview from Gov. Henry c. Ide upon the
General Assembly,

Former Governor Henry c. Ide is
spending the month at his Main street
home, and representative OF the GALE
DOMAIN found him very willing yesterday
to discuss the recent elections in the
Philippines. While he has received no
direct word from the islands, his init
mate knowledge of public affairs there
gave him an insight into the results OF
the elections that no other American
possesses, and we feel sure our readers
will be interested in his resume of the
situation which follows:
1.-THE first election for the members OF
a General Assembly was held on July 80
in all the civilized or christian provinces
of the islands, when 90 members were
chosen by all qualified to vote. These
members will serve for two years and
the assembly meets annually in ninety
DAYS session, the first session opening
on October 20. The registration
throughout the islands was very small.
For instance, of the 100000 inhabitants
in the city OF Manila only 7046 regis
tered, and without doubt the registra-
ton in Manila was far more complete
than in the provinces. This is easily
accounted for when one realizes that the
Filipinos have never known anything
about voting or governmental affairs by
any actual participation themselves.
They have, therefore, had no opportu-
nity tc become instructed in political
affairs.
"The present population of the islands
is Z 100000 and before the American
occupation only between 5 and 10 per
cent of the inhabitants could read the
Spanish language. In 1902 the census
showed that the total circulation OF the
newspapers in the native languages and
dialects was only 1922 copies. The
press. as in America. was absolutely
free, and yet the census at that time
showed that there was but one publica-
ton, daily, weekly or monthly, in any
language issued to each $50 inhabitants,
while in the United States there is an
average of one copy for each lnhabltant
In 1902 only one person out of>every five
over 10 years old could read or write.
The people in order to have any interest
in politics must receive their knowledge
either through the press or by orators.
But the speakers reach only few hun
dred and hence it happened that the
great mass of the Filipinos have never
been touched by any political agitation
either written or spoken. Hundreds OF
thousands had no real knowledge of the
situation or knew that an election was
to occur.
"Under these circumstances the people
who have taken interest in politics are
largely the agitators and the few that
can be reached by the press or public
meetings. The campaign rallies that
were held were poorly attended and
only by those most Interested. 1t thus
happened that the man most extreme in
his declarations and his fervid patriot
ism, so.called, got the applause by
playing to the galleries. The majority
of the members elected were elected on
the platform of immediate independence.
Their platform was expressed by the
Manila member, Dominador Gomez, who
said in the campaign, i had rather live
one hour in poverty and hunger
with independence than live century
in the midst of affluence and culture
under the domination of foreign power.
DR.. Gomez is man of unsavory reputa-
ton and one of the two members from
Manila in the new assembly, though he
may not get his seat as it will be con
tested on the ground of fraud and
electioneering at the polls on election
day.
The new assembly has the same power
as the House of Representatives, in thu
United States, while the commission ha'
the same power as the American Senate
1t will undoubtedly appear later tina
many of the men elected on the independ
ent platform will prove to be conserva
tive and they will endeavor to have tn
islands neutralized as was done in Europ
after the Franco Prnssian war with Be
gium, the Netherlands and Switzerland
"While it is undoubtedly a disappoint
ment that some blatant agitators Shout
secure seats in the assembly, yet the re
suit is not a great surprise to thos
familiar with the conditions in the island:
Judging from what know of the men
bers elected | think the assembly afte
some extreme resolutions upon the sui
ject of independence will settle down t
business and undertake to legislate fo
the best good of the islands as they Ill
derstand it. There will be great man
conservative men in the assembly an
their knowledge of local affairs will prov
most useful in legislation"