The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
History
The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)
Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
Philippines; Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946
"I thank you for your slavery book just received. If strength is
left me to read it, I shall read it though I do nothing else in
this life.
"I have had letter in preparation to you since last June but
I haven't strength to sit at the machine. I expect now to die
before New Year.
"I have offered surgeons to take all chances, but they decline
to operate, stating that they would consider operation deliberate
murder.
"This is first letter I write since last September. If I do not get
strength to finish typewritten letter I have given instructions it
be sent when I am dead. I cannot write with pen; I have tried it.
"If you hear no more, please remember I never forgot you. Sorry
you leave the Secretariat--so sorry I can't tell you.
"I am ready to die. I know that I have lived unselfishly for
what I thought was right and good, and death is nothing. If this
should be the last, then accept from the man that was always your
man and will be your man until he dies, a last Good-by."
A few days later he went to his reward.
The loyalty of such a man is a precious possession.
The lot of the non-Christian tribes inhabiting the regularly organized
provinces is not a happy one. The township government act is applicable
to their settlements, and the provincial officers have the same
powers and duties with reference to them as have the corresponding
officers in the special government provinces. In both cases these
powers are exercised subject to the approval of the secretary of the
interior, but in providing for the government of non-Christians in
Christian provinces, we overlooked one very essential detail. Neither
the secretary of the interior nor any one else has authority to
compel the governors or provincial boards of these provinces to
act. They have discovered that efforts to improve the condition of
the ignorant and primitive peoples intrusted to their charge can be
very effectively nullified if they merely sit still and do nothing,
and almost with one accord they have adopted this policy. Exception
should be made in favour of North Ilocos, South Ilocos, Pangasinán,
Ambos Camarines, Iloilo and Zambales. No other provinces have made any
real effort to help their non-Christian population, and the funds set
aside by law to be expended for this end simply go on accumulating
in their respective treasuries, as I have managed to convince them
that efforts to divert such funds to purposes not authorized by law
will not prosper. The law should be so amended as to provide that if
provincial boards fail to act, the secretary of the interior may do so.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account