This structure is typical of the better-class school-houses constructed by the Spaniards.
Modern Central School Building
This structure is typical of the better-class school-houses constructed under American rule.
Except for the addition of one more Filipino on July 6, 1908, the organization of the commission has remained unchanged up to the present time, although there have been numerous changes in its personnel. The task which lay before it was to enact a code of laws adapted to the peculiar conditions existing in the Philippines, and this was indeed a herculean undertaking. Its members laboured unremittingly. Governor Taft and General Wright were towers of strength in the early days. The rest of us did what we could, and I, for one, am very proud of the result. Certainly no one can ever claim that the commission was not industrious. Before it finally ceased to be the legislative body of the islands it had passed some eighteen hundred acts. Obviously, as it is not my purpose to write an encyclopedia of law, I cannot discuss them in detail, and must content myself with here barely mentioning a few of the more important results obtained, leaving the more detailed discussion of some of them for later chapters.
In general, it may be said that the additional bureaus necessary for the work of the Insular government were created, and given proper powers. Civil government was gradually extended to the entire archipelago.[11] The criminal code was amended and supplemented by the passage of new laws. The administration of justice was reorganized and reformed.[12] An efficient native insular police force was organized, and an admirable state of public order brought about.[13] The health service was extended to the provinces, and health conditions were greatly improved throughout the islands.[14] Baguio was made accessible and became both the summer capital and a health resort for the people of the islands.[15] The scientific work of the government was cordinated, and efficiency and economy in its performance were insured.[16]
Primary and secondary schools were established throughout the islands, supplemented by trade schools, and a normal school at Manila.[17] Legislation was enacted, and submitted to the President and to Congress, covering the disposition of public lands.[18] The purchase of extensive estates belonging to certain religious orders, and the sale of their holdings therein to tenants, was provided for.[19] Fairly adequate legislation for the protection and development of the forest resources of the islands was enacted.[20] Means of communication by land and sea were greatly improved, and the development of commerce was thus stimulated.[21]
It is a noteworthy fact that all of these things were done with a per capita taxation of about $2.24!
Another fundamentally important aid to the commercial development of the islands was afforded by a radical reformation of the currency.
The islands under the sovereignty of Spain had their own distinct silver coinage in peso, media peso, peseta and media peseta pieces.