1,800 to 2,000, among which were two white Americans and one colored American and one Spaniard. The resources of the province are agriculture, fishing, and timber business. The main products from agriculture are rice and sugar. The production of rice during the year has not been sufficient to feed the entire people, and it is estimated that only about 75 per cent of the amount necessary has been raised. Of the rice lands heretofore cultivated the people were only able to plant about two-thirds in rice, and of this about 20 per cent was destroyed by locusts. The second crop of rice planted by the people under the impetus of the proclamation of the honorable Civil Governor, dated November 19, 1902, will, I believe, more than make up the amount destroyed by locusts. Of the area of land usually devoted to the production of sugar probably not more than 20 per cent has been planted and the production will not equal much more than 10 per cent of the amount produced prior to 1896. The loss in the area in rice and sugar planted is on account of the insufficiency of work animals, and the loss of the growing crops was caused by the invasion of locusts. Raising and catching fish is one of the most profitable businesses in the province and a great many people are dedicated to this business. At the town of Orion it is stated that it is difficult to get farm laborers for the lands, because nearly all the men are engaged in fishing. The cutting of timber has not been very extensive during the year on account of the limited number of licenses, and the further fact that the military and naval reservation has covered a great part of the best forestry of the province. The resci sion of the order setting aside the naval reservation by the President of the United States has thrown back to the province the towns of Bagac and Moron, which adds greatly to the timber resources of the province. The constabulary force in the province is a well-disciplined body of men, and has been very successful in keeping the province free from outlaws. The town governments have been well administered. The extra expense caused the towns by the invasion of cholera has prevented and retarded some public improve ments. Complaints against officials of abuses have indeed been rare. Very respectfully, Mr. BEEKMAN WINTHROP, J. H. GOLDMAN, Governor of Bataan. Acting Executive Secretary, Manila, P. I. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR OF BATANGAS, 1902. SIR: In having the honor to submit to you the following report relative to the conditions of this province during the year ending December 31, 1902, I would take the liberty to recommend certain measures that in my judgment should be adopted for the improvement of the conditions described. Having already referred to some of these measures in former reports, I shall deal only with those that during the short period of my incumbency experience has suggested and which I have not yet had an opportunity to mention to you. I will start in with those affecting the organization of the provincial government, composed of the following officials: Simeon Luz, provincial governor; Florencio Caedo, provincial secretary; R. D. Blanchard, provincial treasurer; Charles Kendall, provincial supervisor; Diego Gloria, provincial fiscal. Since the inauguration of provincial government in Batangas on May 12, 1901, no changes other than that in the office of governor have occurred. The present gov ernor was appointed on June 23, 1902, and assumed charge upon July 3 of the same The offices of the governor and secretary have 3 clerks, 1 messenger, 1 servant, and a jailer, who has charge of the prisoners in the provincial jail and who was appointed by the governor. year. The office of the provincial treasurer has 4 deputies, 1 chief clerk, and 3 clerks; that of the provincial supervisor has 1 clerk; that of the provincial fiscal, 1 clerk. Military control having ended July 4, 1902, upon peace being restored throughout the province, order is now complete and tranquillity established and the provincial government is running smoothly though work is increasing in all offices. The supervisor and fiscal, who had no clerks, were authorized by the provincial board to have the assistance corresponding to them, but this authorization was in part disapproved by the insular treasurer, the appointment of one clerk for each being approved. The accumulation of work consequent upon the removal of military control has placed too much of a burden upon the provincial fiscal. The explanation of this is to be found in the fact that the fiscal acts as prosecuting attorney and that formerly during the Spanish régime there were two courts of first instance, one at Lipa and the other at Batangas, in each of which there was a prosecuting attorney. HEALTH. The provincial board of health began its operations in Batangas in August, 1902, at which time Doctor Losada assumed charge as president. During the said month municipal boards of health were established in the pueblos of Nasugbu, Balayan, Lemery, Taal, Bauan, Cuenca, Batangas, San José, Lipa, Tanauan, Santo Tomás, San Juan, and Taysan. Municipal boards of health have not been established in those of San Luis, Calaca, Liang, Calatagan, Tuy, Talisay, Lobo, Rosario, and Ibaan, for lack of funds in their respective municipal treasuries with which to pay the salaries of the presidents of such organizations. I will make no mention of the sanitary conditions of the province as the president of the provincial board of health must have already forwarded his report to the commissioner of public health. PUBLIC EDUCATION. In addition to the primary schools established in nearly all of the municipalities, the majority of which have American teachers, there is a high school for secondary instruction in this provincial capital. A division superintendent of schools has just arrived and taken up his work here. As the superintendent has no doubt sent in his report to the secretary of public instruction I shall not dwell upon the matter of the progress of education. I desire to state, however, that in all of the pueblos, the strides made in learning English have been truly remarkable, and I think that I may safely affirm that more persons understand and speak a little English at the present time in the pueblos throughout the province than the number who understand and talk Spanish. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. Besides the judge of the seventh judicial district, in which this province is included, the personnel of the court of first instance is composed of 2 clerks, 1 stenographer, and a messenger. The office of sheriff was provided for by the judge. With relation to the administration of justice, I would recommend, to the end that litigants, and more especially witnesses in criminal cases, may be saved wasteful expenditures, that the court be ordered to sit also in other provincial towns, such for example as Balayan and Lipa. This measure I believe would not result in much expense to the government, while it would greatly facilitate and expedite the administration of justice, besides saving State's witnesses expenses that in the majority of instances they could not bear. I must also call your attention to the courts of the justices of the peace, that under their present organization do not answer the purpose of the government to provide an efficient local administration of justice for this country. Unfortunately the ignorant masses in the Philippines are more easily impressed by external forms than by the substance of things. A justice's court invested with a certain amount of formality and show befitting the mission it is called upon to perform in the administration of public affairs would most impress men who have been accustomed most frequently to be guided in their appreciations by the senses. From my observations of justices' courts in the municipalities, I can state that they are so poorly furnished that they are not only unable to maintain the dignity proper to the administration of justice, but not even that demanded by a due regard for appearances, and for this reason this important branch of the government will never be able to inspire respect with the masses, nor will the lower classes have that respect for justice which it would deserve. Hence I would recommend that the Government provide reasonable salaries for justices of the peace in each municipality in accordance with the importance of the latter. One of the difficulties met by justices of the peace in cases of homicide, assault, and others of like character which require expert medical testimony, is the lack of persons skilled in medical jurisprudence, who would be called upon to make the examination. This difficulty could be overcome if the Commission were to enact a law authorizing justices of the peace to demand the professional services of presidents of municipal boards of health in all cases where examinations have to be made and in municipalities where no such official exists, those of the local physician or of any expert in the locality. If the financial condition of the municipality would not per mit the payment of a reasonable salary to justices of the peace it would be advisable to divide the province into districts, each with justice of the peace charged with the duty of trying all cases, criminal and civil, within his jurisdiction, arising in the municipalities forming part of his district, and of holding of preliminary examinations in those held over for trial in the court of first instance. The municipalities comprehended in each district would be called upon to pay pro rata the salary of the district justice and expenses of his court. AGRICULTURE. In dealing with this subject I regret to inform you that this important branch, the sole source of wealth in the province of Batangas, is in a state of complete depression at the present time as the result of innumerable disasters befalling it in the period embraced between the year 1896 and the present time. The loss of more than 90 per cent of its draft animals used in agricultural labor has caused a steady falling off in the amount of the products of the soil of this formerly rich province, that has continued to increase during the past few years to such an extent that it may now be said that they are but a twentieth part of what they were in the years prior to 1896. The small crops of rice, sugar, and other products harvested this year have scarcely been sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants in two or three months. Thanks to sale of rice at cost price by the military authorities and a free distribution of this article to those persons unable to pay for same, the pinch of poverty was not so severely felt, nor have there been any deaths from famine recorded. To restore agriculture to its former condition in this province with the local elements at hand as factors is a problem very difficult of solution. As stated, 90 per cent of the work animals perished by pestilence, and money-a great deal of moneyis needed to restock the province, owing to the fact that their cost has been more than doubled. On the other hand, more than nine-tenths of the landed proprietors have not the means to purchase new animals unless they resort to money lenders and borrow at very high rates of interest and on short loans. This recourse is not only a very venturesome one, but positively foolhardy, as one bad crop for the landowner would mean the loss of his property, that would surely pass to the hands of the money lender. Hence, until agricultural loan and mortgage banks are established, where owners of land can borrow on their holdings and for unlimited periods, it is the general opinion throughout the province that little or nothing can be done to bring about an improvement in the prevailing conditions. The importation of immunized cattle, to be sold at cost price, will benefit only those persons who have sufficient money to buy them, that is to say, about one-tenth of the landholders. COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. Due to the crisis in agriculture-of this there can be no doubt-commerce is almost completely paralyzed, being reduced to the importation of rice and other staple articles of food. Local exports are at the lowest ebb, consisting of hemp, hogs, chickens, eggs, and some other articles of but moderate importance Industry consists in the manufacture, on a small scale, of sugar, textiles of hemp, silk, and jusi, and the weaving of sugar sacks and mats of the buri palm, and of other articles of small value. The political aspect of the province is to-day satisfactory. There are no organized bands of armed ladrones, and though some cases have been recorded of theft of ani mals, it has not been to such a large extent as in the past. The people are beginning to appreciate the benefits derived from the new order of things, and I think I am justified in hoping that they will sincerely acknowledge the sovereignty of the United States and devote themselves peacefully to the work of restoring to this province its former fame of a rich, industrious, and peaceful community. I can not finish this report without mentioning the canalization of the Pansipit River, uniting the lake of Taal Volcano with the harbor of Taal. By opening of this canal to navigation coasting steamers will be within easy access of the most important of the towns in the interior that will be able to place their product in any market. The work on the canal will give employment to many poor people, who are so situated to-day that they have no means of livelihood. I would recommend the enactment of a law by the Commission appropriating suthcient funds to carry out this work, which will be of so much benefit to this province of Batangas. Very respectfully, SIMEON LUZ, Provincial Governor. The honorable the CIVIL. GOVERNOR OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. GOVERNMENT OF THE PROVINce of Benguet, SIR: I have the honor to submit a report to you on the general condition of affairs in the province of Benguet during the past year. I am pleased to be able to state that with the natives my administration has been marked by a hearty and continuous cooperation on the part of the officials, and manifest contentment on the part of the people. In many respects conditions have arisen within the past year that would try the constancy of the people more than ordinarily occurs in a decade. The requirements of the province necessitated more labor from its limited population than they have ever been asked to perform within the life of the present generation. I reported a year ago that the best roads were but trails, and most of the trails were impassable paths for mounted travelers. The several pueblos constituting the province have repaired old roads and constructed new ones, involving thousands of days' labor, until to-day I can ride over at least 200 miles of road within the province with perfect safety and comparative ease. This work was done without cost to the government, the project of which at first astounded the native officials, but, being done, brought with it a feeling of content among the laborers which amounts to almost a sentiment of pride, if I may apply the term to so humble a people as the Igorrotes of Benguet. In addition to this labor there were continually employed on the Benguet wagon road from 250 to 500 Igorrotes from this province. These laborers received from 40 cents a day up, insular currency. It was to be feared that they would view with disfavor a change to a government that required so much work, and I looked forward to the rainy season as a period of rest and recuperation preparatory to another season of hard labor. Just at this time the cholera attacked our borders, swept through the road camp, and from there spread with astonishing rapidity throughout the province. The Igorrotes, having no knowledge of medicine and having no medicine men among them, have always resorted in time of sickness to gathering about the afflicted and holding a feast, sacrificing birds or animals, and believing that in the blood thereof, externally applied to the sick and their relatives, there were curative properties. They took no sanitary precautions whatever, and what they did in this way, thinking it was for their good, resulted in spreading the pestilence. It was, however, a custom-I might say a religious custom-which they had held sacred for ages, and which Spanish rule of centuries had never suspended. I deemed it most essential for the welfare of the province to stop all such gatherings, to stop the people from traveling from one pueblo to another, from one barrio to another, even from one house to another, and called the presidentes and the cabezas of the different pueblos and the chiefs and headmen of the province at La Trinidad, explained the causes of the spread of the disease, of the sanitary precautions to be taken, of the quarantine to be effected, and promised in the time in which danger was passed to resume for them the customs of the Igorrotes pertaining to disease and death, which were then and there ordered suspended. The promptness and thoroughness with which these natives, and through them the natives of the province, complied with this order, was a most satisfactory proof of their confidence and regard for the American Government, which seemed to be endeavoring to protect the lives of its subjects. Then ensued a long and tedious fight against the cholera; and when the smallpox broke out, leaving 43 dead in one barrio, it seemed as though the fates were opposing the province and pestilence was victor. During this time 692 men, women, and children died, and not until Thanksgiving Day was the edict against fiestas annulled. During the time that the people were ordered to remain at home they were further ordered to employ their time by breaking more ground for cultivation, and when the order from the governor-general was published to guard against the time of famine, it was a simple matter for the natives of Benguet to continue their labors with good results. All these conditions have interfered with many plans for the development of the province, and postponed the completion of enterprises already begun. For instance, it has become a positive belief to the Igorrotes-we call it superstition-that the valley of the Bued River is a habitation of evil spirits, and the natives will not even visit it of their own free will, and, except by compulsion, refuse to labor therein. So, while a year ago over 400 Igorrote workmen were employed there, satisfied with their pay and treatment, to-day there are only about a hundred, and this force is kept to that number only by continual effort. The repairs on the Sablan road, under the charge of Mr. O'Neill, have been made at small expense, entirely with Igorrote labor, with surprising results. About $1,000 has been expended thereon, and when complete this will be only a trail for horses and packers, and not in any sense a wagon road. From Sablan there is a perfectly feasible route through the foothills, following the channels of the Sablan River to Naguilian, by which a good road with an easy grade could be made for wagons. Sablan is only about 1,000 feet above the sea, and by this route there is no point at which you would have to change an even and continual grade. So far as this is in the province of Benguet, the ground over which it would pass is easily moved, and yet heavy enough to hold its formation. There would be no difficulties with slides, washouts, or bridges. With a wagon road to Sablan, our base of supplies for the province would be within an easy ride of four hours from Baguio, with the upper trail in its present condition. In traveling about the province I find new houses, new rice fields, new coffee plantations, larger gardens, and clean yards, all of which indicate that my people consider themselves safe in property and life and content to again begin accumulating property to repay the losses of the last seven years. Again, it is a gratifying novelty to the Igorrote that the white man, especially if it be an official, pays for what he gets, be it produce, curios, or labor." All the pueblos of the province are in good financial condition; five are building new tribunals. As soon as the others accumulate a sufficient amount of money in their treasuries they will likewise spend it first in this manner. During the time of the revolution these public buildings throughout the province were all partially or totally destroyed, and they have been occupying, since the establishment of the civil government here, only temporary places for their public offices. As justice of the peace I have had occasion to try only 32 cases, and have been appealed to as arbitrator only eight times by Igorrotes, who were not satisfied with the findings of their native tribunals. Of course, this does not represent the entire criminal calendar of the province, for each pueblo has its council, which sits as a court over petty difficulties arising between individuals in their jurisdiction. From these councils the Igorrote seldom appeals, accepting the decision of their own headmen as just and final. The border difficulties which confronted us a year ago between the natives and the Busoles have almost entirely disappeared, but new troubles have arisen on the bor der line of Benguet and Union, in which there is developing more and more rapidly a spirit of robbery and theft. In fact, unless more strict methods are taken to check them this little section of country will be the nesting place for ladrones. They are mostly Igorrotes, and a large percentage of my small criminal calendar comes from this section. In general, however, all is peace within the borders of Benguet, and there is no necessity, nor is there any sense, in any man going armed among these natives, for, as a rule, they are trustworthy, faithful, and honest. Respectfully, Hon. BEEKMAN WINTHROP, WILLIAM F. PACK, Governor of Benguet. Acting Executive Secretary, Manila, P. I. REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF BOHOL. [Translation.] TAGBILARAN, BOHOL, May 14, 1903. I have the honor to transmit herewith to you the annual report of my province. As for the data which I secured concerning the mortality of the cattle and horses, I regret to inform you that they are far from accurate, due to the fact that little care was taken by the municipal presidentes of the pueblos of this province to keep a daily record of the cattle which died during the prevalence of the rinderpest, and further, to the carelessness of the owners of the cattle in appearing at the municipal offices of the pueblos to report to the municipal presidente relative to the deaths of the cattle during each day while the rinderpest was at its height. As for the pres ervation of public order, I have the great satisfaction of stating that peace and tranquillity reign throughout the province. It is a fact, however, that certain wicked per sons, carried away by their vices, have committed numerous offenses in certain of the barrios of some of the pueblos, but they have been unable to organize even a single band of ladrones, properly speaking, and I have the consolation that the pueblos of the province, far from seconding the efforts of these evil doers, report them to the authorities without doing anything to protect them. |