The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-02

larger than they ~ were and the COST
OF collection Is relatively smaller than
II ever was.
Judiciary systen.
"Mr. Taft's next charge is.
A reorganization OF the judiciary.
entirely unnecessary and most waste
ful. was effected to give more places
for Filipinos,
The facts are, as shown by the re-
port OF acting GoverDor-Genern Oil
bert. dated September 9, 1918. that Il
was well recognized that a reorganiza.
lion and strengthening Of the courts
was necessary. II was begun under the
previous administration, but was not
completed until after Governor General
Harrison was IN Office.
He reappointed every Judge then in
Office and filled tho vacancies created
by tho new law by appointing Americans
as well as E1lipinos. Even Secretary
worcester In his book attacking practi-
cally everything done by this adminis-
tration In tho islands admits that worthy
men were appointed to these offices.
Il have. as previously stated. abeo-
iutely RETAINED from criticising unfav-
orably In public the conduct OF any
portion OF the Philippine Government az
carried on under my predecessors In
his office. I did not conceive that any
good purpose could be served thereby
ever n the criticisms were perfectly
well founded.
Il conceived that with respect TO this
alien people In their own country I'M
der our Immigration q position OF deli
cacy existed which required those act
Ing on behalf Of the United States to
consider always Its honor. It's good name.
and that no good purpose could he served
BY dwelling upon mistakes or mlsman-
agement where such had occurred. I
do not propose now to depart from this
position excepting to the extent hat II
may become necessary where unjust Inn
putations, insinuations and implications
require me to do 80.
II think Il Is sufficiently clear that
the above statement Of facts taken from
the records demonstrate that Mr.. Taft
has INDUCED In Incorrect statements. in
unfair Implications and inferences and
In PARTISAN consideration OF these mat
ters. | do not propose to continue a mere
exchange OF statements over matters
that are OF record. I have correctly
set forth above what tho records show
concerning these matters and there the
subject must DO left % far Us I am
concerned.
object Of tAP Jones Eli.
I'm concluding his statement Mr.. Taft
states his utter opposition to what he
calls the Jones hill and points out his
reasons for his position. He states: Its
promise OF Independence Is certain to
mislead the Frlipinos Into thinking II
10 near at hand
'"The fact is that the bill In Ques-
ton nowhere promises or mentions In
lAn.-N. NJ r.Rx 1915.
to the preamble OF the bill. That pro-
amble as II appears In the bill. which
was on the Senate calendar for passage
reads as follows:
Whereas. Il IL desirable to place in
the hands Of the people Of the Philip
pines such an increasing control Of
their domestic affairs az can be given
them without In the meantime impair
Ing tho sovereignty Of h United
States. In order hat by the use n
exercise Of popular franchise and gov
ernmental powers, they may be the
better prepared to fully assume the
responsibilities and enjoy all the priv
ileEes Of complete Independence. which
II Is the purpose Of the United States
to grant when In the judgment OF
the United States the people Of the
Philippine Islands ehall W rhown
themselves to be fitted therefor.
whether or not this contains a prom
Use Of Independence which Is certain ia
mislead the Filipinos into thinking II ID
near at hand can scarce be the subject
Of complaint by Mr.. Taft because II Il
almost in his own exact language In
a special report by William II. TAFT
Secretary OF War. to tho President or
the Philippines. dated 1905. on paGo 8
he uses this language:
Another logical deduction from tho
main proposition that when the Fiji
Pine people as "A whole show them
selves reasonably fit TO conduct a
popular sclf-government. maintaining
Law and order and Offering equal pro-
lection OF the laws M civil rights
to rich ard o desire complete
Independence Of the United States,
they shall be- given It.