Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05

the Atlantic. 1t is argued by some that
when the Filipinos get their indepen-
dence. they will fix up" the 'cacique. u
The sooner, however, he is driven from
his pedestal the better for the masses
OF the people.
The cacique is an outgrowth Of the
Spanish system. He has learned lot
from the former regime. When he oc-
cupies prominent post in the govern
ment, he becomes q real menace. His
predominance accounts for the present
degradation of the administration of
justice throughout the country, the ap-
proval Of class legislation by the Legis-
lture and the numerous acts of favor
itism by those in charge of the eXecu-
tive branch of the provincial govern
ments which often have necessitated
the interference of the central govern
ment
There is peculiar importance at
tached to political positions in the
Philippines. Candidates for municipal
preSidencieS, positions which pay only
$50 a month in first-class municipali-
ties, often spend thousands of pesos to
win office. Just why they do it is be-
yond the comprehension of the aver
age man. Some say that they do 1t
for patriotic motives, others maintain
that the candidates are after the honor
that goes with the job. There is a
strange idea in the Philippines regard
ing public Offices and established repu-
tations which is entirely ridiculous.
There is the view among the ma jority
of Filipinos that simply because a man
is in Office he is automatically con-
Yerted into an extraordinary mortal, a
man beyond good and evil who must
be respected and adored. The idea has
al To- -
the people who have made themselves
mentors Of the masses.
These caciques, however, will con-
tinue in power as long as there Is not
an awakened public sentiment and a
courageous public opinion against them
as long as the percentage of illiteracy
is not reduced: as long as false stand
ards of personal worth and national
decorum prevail in the high councils
Of the land.
American Ideas introduced.
This apparent tolerance of injustice
which has lasted for many years. this
serene contemplation by patient public
of the abuses perpetrated upon the
masses by the ruling classes, and the
philosophic calm which has always
characterized the average Oriental in
moments of intense moral struggle. re-
CSlFeQ SEVERE JOlt upon Tie arrival
of the Americans. and the incubation
of Anglo-Saxon ideas and ideals to-
gether with the enunciation of the prin-
ciple of square dealing to overcome the
perniciouS tendencies of a former adj
ministration.
The process of social evolution. how
ever. under American administration
has been slow and painful The eStab-
lishment of the public school here has
materially improved conditions. but it
has not eliminated certain archaic ideas
and moral codes which continually
limit and repress the liberties Of the
individual
In the face of present conditions in
the Philippines. political, economic and
social. it would seem that the only SAL
walton of the people lies in the practical
application of the principle of equal
justice and opportunity for all. which
is the very essence of Anglo-Saxon cul-
ture, in promoting the we'll rounded de-
velopment of the individual. which, aft
er all, is the source of all progress.