Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-09-05
The Former Governor General
Tells of Progress There
The Work Done In Simplifying Court
Procedure which Il Very Helpful
- the People-The Increasing
Administr alton of Justice.


Vermont to the shores OF Samoa and tho
Philippines, but such a Journey is swift
~ made as one follows Judge Henry G..
1de from the veranda OF his summer
home. with Its delightful outlook, into
what he calls his Samoan ROOM" whose
walls are completely covered with hang
ings and draperies made in that dis
tant part OF the world together with n
rare collection of curios. most tasteful
" arranged, from different islands of
that region says the correspondent OF
the Boston Transcript. After the close OF
his service In the Philippines. following
his stay OF I'VE years In Samoa. he has
returned to his Vermont home for n we'll
earned rest and for restoration of
health. which has become somewhat i'm
paired through his long sojourn in tho
tropics.
In view OF the present interest In pol-
teal movements IN the Philippines and
Secretary Tafts approaching visit. the
readers Of the Transcript will he glad
to learn Judge Ide's views upon the pre-
ent situation In those islands as regards
the administration OF justice and good
order under the present insular govern
ment, the Industrial and economic situa =
ton, the educational progress and pros
poets. and the future representative
government there. To request for an
Interview. Judge 1de readily assented,
with this statement.
THE special work to which was
originally assigned had to do with the
courts az head OF the department OF
finance and Justice; continued to per
form the duties OF that department dur
ing all my more than six years Of ser
vice, including the time while was
governor general. The funda mental law
governing property rights was the Span
ish law. substantially civil. or Roman
law which Is the baeis Of the systems OF
jurisprudence Of France. Germany, Scan
dinavia and the continent generally ir
Europe. Only minor changes have been
made in this highly scientific body OF
law. The procedure however was dlla
tory in the extreme; and a new code was
enacted with nearly a thousand sections
which greatly lcssened the time OF trials
preventing technical delays and getting
at once to the heart of the controversy
requiring a completion Of the main Issue
before the case can be reviewed by the
supreme court The procedure Is simple
inexpensive and expeditions. II has
worked we'll. and given great satisfac.
ton. At banquet given by the Ba,
association just before my departure. q
prominent Spa nish lawyer who had origi
rally been bitterly opposed to It stated
In h'r address that It was the creates,
refo' N that had ever come in the is
lanes.
The natives are we'll represented ir
the judiciary. The local justices of tn,
peace are all Flipinos; in courts Of the
f1rst instance, the land registration cour
there are eight Filipinos and fourteen
Americans: the supreme court consist!
OF three Filipinos and four Americans
One Of these last-na med Judges wa.
originally from this town Judge Charlie,
A. willard: he Is one Of the most in
dustrious and valuable members, writin,
by far the largest number OF decisions
and being a master Of the ola Spanish
law. We have n court OF land regstra
NOR, where lands are being registeret
according to the Torrens system. whicl
Is admirably adapted to bring order on
OF the chaos OF titles in the island. Tn
salaries Of the judges have been great,
Increased. thus lessing the temptation
to dishonesty which once prevailed AM
GiEnifying the judicial position" In tn
criminal law there have been marke,
improvements, also Formerly the Grim
inal Judge was practically a prosecutor
cross examining the accused. and delay
Ing the final hearing FOR months. w
have no Jury system. but the suprem
court have the evidence before them an
can revise the findings as to facts: nm
under sub firal judgement as Is deeme
Just: and we certainly avoid some O
the serious abuses OF criminal procedur
whic.. are so patent In this country I
the Philippines. Thaw would have re
ceiyed .his lust deserts long ago. an
Caleb Powers would not now be enterin
upon his fourth trial for the sam
offence.
Although there is no Jury, yet ethe
party to a suit may have two assessor
drawn from a selected list, who sha
sit with the Judge to advise with hin,
and II they differ from his decision, tina
fact may be brought to the attention E
the supreme court who give It due cor
sideration. This feature. however.
seldom put into operation.
Good order Is maintained by nativ
constab,Ilary OF some five thouean
members. the privates and some off1cer
FYlipinos. with detailed United State