The Elbert County tribune., 1909-05-27

not always been led with intelligence.
In the beginning many OF its leaders
ana members were of11ce-holders and
as they grew in power they showed an
unfortunate disposition to conduct 1t
more as close corporation than az
democratic political party. They
tried to say who should and who
should not come in and they naturally
aiienated much support.
The Nationalist party. which Is DOM
inant in the assembly and number
OF provinces, is newer organization
and the second party OF any impor-
tance that has come into existence
since the cession OF the Philippines
oy Spain. 1t had its beginnings in the
provinces and gave the first signs OF
general cohesion in the conferences of
governors held in Manila. It was or
ganized and put upon its feet for the
assembly election and with a shallow
but popular platform carried a ma
1ority of the seats. 1t demanded Inn
mediate independence. charged that
the American government was extrav-
asant and expensive. a condition that
IL promised TO reform. and. despite the
fact that the great majority of the
oinces in the government have been
voluntarily turned over to Filipinos. In
sisted that more Fflipinos have Office
Like Its teacher. 1t proposed TO work
backwards; 1t wanted immediate indie
pendence. and was willing to take the
chance OF learning afterwards how to
use 1t and how to maintain It. But
A.
number who are active in politics and
the party scored victory 1t has
reckoning. however, when It again
faces the people. because its promises
OF independence simmered down to a
vote in the assembly on the abstract
principle, that was not made as either
demand or even request, that the
Filipino people aspire to Independence
and that they are capable of conduct
Ing an independent government The
fact is that great many of the men
who voted on the abstract resolution
know that their people are not capable
of self-government and would have
preferred to have not voted. The Is
sue was raised by one of those mis-
chances that happen in every legisla-
l-ture, and they voted on II and for 1t
because they must account to their
constituents. They also found that
the American government was not ex-
| travagant and failed on their financial
reform program. They did land some
political Offices for members of their
party, as Governor General Smith has
decided for the principle of recognize
Ing the dominant party in the appoint
ment of public officials. The party
has in Speaker Osmena developed one
man of conspicuous ability and num-
Der of men who show marked ability
and capacity for government
Labor has organized in Manila and
elsewhere and has taken some part in
politics. but evil leadership has re-
tarded the movement The labor lead
ers have generally been disreputable
| professional men who have taken a
part only for what there Is in 1t for
them. But labor is learning and will
in time develop leaders who will lead
for labor's sake and not their own.
There is a great conservative class
which has kept aloof from politics and
politicians. In some instances they
have given active aid to the American
government, but the great majority of
them seem to be awaiting eventuali-
ties. They are not antagonizing the
active politicians for reasons that are
obvious-their interests would be at
the mercy of the politicians II the Uni
ted States should withdraw from the
Philippines. and they are what the
American politician would describe as
being right" There are many indica-
tions that they favor a maintenance
of that security to life and property
and tnat protection to credit which the
American government has estab-
lished
The active electorate is so far llm-
tied one, as the following figures will
show: Population. 1885, ,426; qualified
to vote, $780, .704; voted in the last cleo
ton, 1866.
But small as II is, 1t is very active,
and the politicians and the editors who
represent it have made independence
the chief issue and the only one that
amounts to anything because it en-
braces the whole question of Ameri-
can participation. 1t is largely limited
to the fiat demand and contemplates
practically none of the important sub
sidiary questions involved You tell
the advocates that IL can only come
by voluntary act Of the American peo-
pie and only when the American peo-
pie are convinced that they may with
security take the responsibility In
volyed in starting them alone, and they
answer by seeking to further antas-
onize American interest and belittling
the mission and accomplishment of
the American people here. You point
out future difficulties of maintaining