Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-06
AMERICA IN
THE PHILIPPINES
By
Frederic
J. Haskin.

America found a country in which the
simplest sanitary precautions were dis
regarded, country filled with cholera,
bubonfc plague, smallpox, beri-berf and
other diseases Of like character The
plague has been eliminated the epidemic
cholera is now quickly stamped out
whenever it appears, and beri-beri is al
most thing of the past. The bureau Of
health works constantly to prevent cpl
demic diseases and is educating the peo-
pie to take precautions. The bureau OF
science is studying tropical diseases, and
has not only worked wonders in improv-
ing the animal and vegetable health Of
the islands, \but has brought the medical
profession of the world to better under
standing of the problems of tropical dis
eases.
America found the prisons conducted
like the prisons of the middle ages, heart
less cruelties being inflicted upon the I'M
fortunates who were cast into jail, re-
gardless of the nature of their crime or
the hope of reformation. The prisons
have been converted into reformatory in
stitutions, and every prisoner is given the
opportunity to f1t himself for rejoining
society as an honest man. A penal COLI
ony on an island paradise is governed by
the prisoners themselves under republican
forms.
America found the mountains inhabited
by wild tribes who knew nothing of civil
ization, and which were constantly at
deadly war with each other, seeking heads
of the enemy as trophies. The Americans
have reached out among these people,
have persuaded them to cease their war
like habits, have stopped the practice OF
head hunting, and are bringing the wild
tribes into touch with the civilization or
their Christian brothers of the Iowlands.
America found a civil service system
which was entirely controlled by favor
itism and in which offices were almost
openly bought and sold. Officers Of the
civil government were expected to add
to their meagre salaries by graft, and the
expectation was always realized. Graft
was universal and uncondemned. The
great majority of the people had no con-
ception of the possibility of honest adj
ministration. The Americans put graft
ers and defaulters into Jail, and, wonder
of wonders to the Filipinos. the Ameri-
can CRATER went to prison just as quick
ly as the native defaulter.
America found judiciary system sad
ly in need of reform. Litigation was pro-
tracted, expensive and uncertain. A man
accused of crime need not be confronted
by the witness against him, and he had
no compulsory right to subpoena Witness
es in his own behalf. He was railroaded
to prison without anything approaching
the American understanding of a fair
trial. The Americans have established
new judicial system, from the justice
of the peace to the supreme court, al
though they have maintained in force
the Spanish or Roman system of law.
The trial courts are presided over by
American and Filipino judges, and all
are of the highest integrity. Appeals
to the higher courts are matter Of
right, and the old summary injustice Is
a thing of the past.
America found taxation system
which laid all the burden upon the poor
Persons Of property or wealth were re-
uuired to contribute little or nothing to
the support of the government, and all
taxes were wrung from the poverty
stricken by cruel methods. The Amer
leans established a system of taxation
; which secured the necessary revenues
by levy upon the people in proportion
to their ability TO pay. The taxes are
almost as high as during the Spanish re-
gime, but the burden is more evenly dis
tributed and the expenditures of revenue
are of vastly more benefit to the people
at large.
America found a people which natur-
ally divided itself into two classes. the
aristocrats who looked upon work as de-
grading, and the masses, who worried
only enough to supply themselves with
the most neagre necessities. The Amer
leans have been endeavoring to teach the
Filipinos. of high and low degree. that
honest labor is not disgraceful. To some
extent this effort has been successful
The Americans have taught the people
to want more things, and they must
work more to have them. But ten years
is too short a time to make over the
habits of q race which has run in the
same groove for ages.
American found the Philippines IL
years ago. The accomplishment OF that
brief period are wonderful-yet the march .
of progress there is considered as hardly
well under way. Nothing In the whole
history of the United States is more sig
nIfIcant than what 1t has done for the
Philippines and the Filipinos.