There should be a governor and four heads of departments. These should be appointed by the President of the United States. There should also be a body to be called the Executive Council. This council would be made up of the governor, the four heads of departments, and four other members, to be appointed by the President. Members of the council should be both Filipinos and Americans. Besides the council there should be an assembly, of not more than thirty representatives, all to be elected by the Filipino people. The members of this assembly should serve for two years. Under such a government the Executive Council and the Assembly would have the power to elect two delegates to represent the interests of the islands and of the Filipino people before Congress. These delegates would be residents of the islands.
Such a system would give the Filipino people what is called a representative government—that is, they would have a voice in making their own laws. In time they would have just as much self-government as they could fit themselves for. The report of the commission to Congress recommends that such a government be begun here January 1, 1904. If this is done, the success of the government must depend to a great extent upon the efforts and faithfulness of the Filipino people themselves.
Summary.—At the beginning of American rule in the Philippines, the government was military. The commander of the army in the islands was also governor-general. In January, 1899, the President of the United States appointed a commission to come to the archipelago and study the country. This commission is known as the Schurman Commission. The commissioners came to Manila early in April, 1899. They held meetings in Manila and elsewhere, and invited leading Filipinos to come and talk with them on matters of government and the needs of the country. They spent the year in learning all that they could about the islands, and then made a report to Congress. During this year, schools were opened in many parts of the archipelago, and certain needed reforms were made in the courts. In April, 1900, a new commission, known as the Taft Commission, was appointed. It was charged with the task of forming a government for the country. The government continued for another year to be military, but on July 4, 1901, civil government was set up, and Hon. William H. Taft, president of the commission, became the first civil governor. Three Filipino members were added to the commission the following September. The civil government proceeded to draw up plans for a permanent government in the islands, and submitted them to the President and Congress.
Questions.—Why is the United States often called a free country? Why can there be no real liberty where there is no law? What are some of the changes Americans have made in this country? When was the first Philippine commission appointed? What did it do? What was the second commission called? What sort of government was established here in September, 1900? When was the civil government begun? Who was made first civil governor? When were the first Filipino commissioners appointed? How does the form of government recommended by the commission give the Filipinos a voice in making their own laws?
Chapter XXI.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE ARCHIPELAGO.
One of the things which history should teach us is how to make the future better than the past has been. History teaches people about the brave deeds done by their ancestors, and about what has been suffered for the good of the land by those who have passed away. It is well for a people to consider from time to time what manner of country theirs has been. Only by doing this can they know how to serve its interests, and to secure for it the best future that is possible.
For the Philippine Islands a very bright future may be hoped. How soon prosperity and happiness will come to the country depends, however, more largely upon its own people than upon any outside influence. The Americans in the Philippines can only advise and teach; the actual work of building up the country, and of making it a power in the Orient, must be done by the Filipinos.
Let us take a look at the country as it is to-day, and learn something of its nature and of its resources. Of all the islands, Luzon is the largest, and, at the present time, the most important. It is a delightful place, with lofty mountains, fertile plains, and beautiful rivers. But beautiful as it is to-day, it possesses possibilities which, if developed, will make it indeed what the Spanish were wont so proudly to call it, “the Pearl of the Orient.”