I myself finally drafted a bill entitled: “An Act prohibiting slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage, or the sale of human beings in the Philippine Islands,” and introduced it in the commission.
It was passed, in slightly amended form, on April 29, 1909, and sent to the Philippine assembly, where it was introduced on May 6, 1909. On May 7 it was referred to the Committee on Revision of Laws, and on May 17 it was returned by that committee with the following report:—
“May 17, 1909.
“Mr. Speaker: The committee concurs with the Commission in the approval of Bill No. 100 with the following amendments:
“(a) That the word ‘slavery’ be stricken out of the title of the Act, because it does not exist in the Philippines.
“(b) That from section 1, page 1, lines 7 and 8, the following words be stricken out: ‘take the fruits of his labours, compel him to deliver to another the fruits of his labours,’ since the acts contained therein constitute other crimes that may be robo, hurto, or estafa.
“(c) From line 11 in the same section the words: ‘less than six months nor;’ and from line 12 the words: ‘less than one hundred pesos and not;’ because the acts penalized in section 1 may be of such slight importance that they should not deserve a punishment of imprisonment for six months or a fine of one hundred pesos.
“(d) From line 22 (p. 2), the word: ‘peso,’ substituting for it: ‘two pesos and a half.’
“With these enactments Commission Bill No. 100 is drawn up, according to the one attached hereto.
“For these reasons the committee submits for the consideration of the Assembly Commission Bill No. 100 and recommends its approval with the amendments introduced.