Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

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PROF. W. H. BONN, PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL.

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PROF. H. P. LITTLE, SUPT. OF MOMENCE UNION SCHOOLS.

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SENIOB YEAH BOOK. 9 tVHAT SHOULD BE THE RELATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT TOWARD THE PHILIPPINES? C • -» There is, perhaps, no greater question confronting the people of the United States to-day, than the one involved in the above interrogation. As the result of the war with Spain, our country has come into possession of a territory, 1400 islands, situated between the Pacific Ocean on the east and the China Sea on the west. The total area of these islands is about 120,000 square miles with a population of about 9,000,000, which consists mostly of Malays and Negroes. Since the American people have taken the Philippine islands into their care, they have made many improvements upon them, the expenditure on the harbors alone being $3,000,000. That we are doing all that can be done at present, is apparent from the fact that there are 835 American teachers scattered over the islands in 455 towns. If this system of education is kept in force, no doubt the English language will become the prevailing language of the people. No one can exercise the right of franchise unless he has a knowledge of English or Spanish, and pays taxes to the amount of $5.00 per annum. At presenUthe officers are a governor, a secretary, a prosecuting attorney, treasurer and superintendent, all of whom are natives except the last two. Mr. Taft, the present governor of the islands, reports that most of the enterprises are now controlled by English capital and suggests that Con¬ gress empower the commission to build railroads. There is only one of two things that we can legally do, we should either grant them a free and independent government, under the protection of the American flag or we should admit them as a part of the United States with all the rights and privileges granted to American citizens. Should the government think it best to adopt the latter proposition, it becomes at once the duty of the United States to grant them all the advantages to be derived from the civil, educational, commercial, and religious prerogatives, which are accorded to any other state or territory of the Union. Our educational duties are of the utmost importance because only seven per cent, of the entire population can read and write. In settling the question of according them the rights of civil liberty, we must keep in mind the class of people with whom we are dealing, knowing their ignorance, we must educate them before granting them this civil liberty. Commerce should be carried on without tariff. If these islands are admit¬ ted to the equal rights of a state or a territory, no tax can be laid on any im¬ ports. The constitution of the United States says: that “no state shall levy a tax on goods exported from one state to another.” If these islands come under our government, they will be granted greater advantages than those conferred by any other civilized nation.