CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 180

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of Spanish control during which period Spanish has

been the official language only 10 per cent of the

people can speak it and they consider that this

alone shows how incapable the Philippinos are at

present of understanding any goverment which is

not absolute.

Municipal suffrage has however been granted in

the pacified parts of the Islands. It is limited

to 3 classes.

1. Those who can read and write English or

Spanish.

Those who possess property to the value of

£50 or pay taxes to the value of £3.

3.

Those who have been Municipal officers.

The new tariff took effect on November 15th

last and reduced duties on the necessaries of life,

machinery and railway equipment. The Commission

earnestly recommend a reduction of 50 per cent in

the United States duty upon tobacco, hemp, sugar

and other island produce.

The Commission ask for authority (1) to carry

out a system of land purchase by bonds issued by the

Philippine Government; (2) to continue in force the

regulations respecting timber cutting;

(3) to pass a

general public land law, (4) a mining law, (5) a gen-

eral incorporation law for conducting legitimate

business by corporations (6) and to issue charters to

commercial railroads.

The Commission also desire Congress to enact a

coinage law and a banking law.

out

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