ipal government would have no hesitancy in affirming that with the exception of a few cases the municipal officials would not consent voluntarily to a reduction of their own salaries. In case of the abolition of the municipal boards of health the duties of the president of the municipal board of health should be conferred upon the municipal president, to the end that this official, with the council, observe and enforce compliance with all the ordinances relative to sanitation and public health. It is recommended that provisions be made establishing the manner of making the distribution proposed, so that the reduction affect all equally. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS. Other recommendations, which I have made previously or set forth in my last report, and of which I have no need to speak again, but to which I desire to allude on account of their importance, concern (a) A uniform system of weights and measures. (b) The reorganization or reform of the existing system and condition of courts of justices of the peace. Respectfully submitted. M. ARNEDO, Governor, Province of Pampanga. The GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. REPORT OF THe Governor OF THE PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN. SIR: In compliance with Act No. 1044 and the circular letter of June 1, 1905, I have the honor to submit the following annual report covering the period beginning July 1, 1904, and ended June 30, 1905. The province, which has 448,344 inhabitants, is divided into 32 reorganized municipalities, as set forth in my last report, and I believe it unnecessary to mention them, Commissioners from the province of Zambales have been visiting the 7 municipalities that were segregated last year and annexed to the province of Pangasinan, suggesting to their inhabitants that they return to incorporate with the former province. These commissioners have succeeded in having a memorial addressed to the Commission, signed by a minority of the inhabitants of said municipalities, who have done so more to please them than of their own free will and accord. This memorial asks for the return of the 7 municipalities to Zambales, but the signers thereof very soon declared in writing to the provincial board that they did not consider their signatures valid, and at the same time the municipal councils and all of the most prominent residents of said pueblos have protested against their separation from the province of Pangasinan, giving as a reason the beneficent influence enjoyed from it and seen in the improvement of their buildings, roads, bridges, and culverts that they had been unable to secure prior to annexation to this province, and the provincial board has so reported upon the matter in the papers connected with the case sent to the executive secretary. AGRICULTURE. Remarkable progress has been made in the cultivation of lands, owing to the gradual replacing of carabaos, which constitute at present the principal element in farming. The crops last year were larger than those of 1903, and consisted in rice, cultivated throughout the province; tobacco, in the municipalities of Manaoag, Pozorrubio, Urdaneta, Tayug, San Nicolas, Rosales, Villasis, and Alcala; sugar, in those of Dagupan, Calasiao, San Carlos, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Alcaia, Bautista, and Bayambang; maguey, in those of Alaminos, Bani, Anda, Bolinao, Agno, Mangatarem, Villasis, Bayambang, and San Fabian; mongo, in Tayug, Asingan, Binalonan, Manaoag, Pozorrubio, and Urdaneta; indigo, in San Carlos and Mangaldan; nipa, in Sual, Salasa, Lingayen, Binmaley, Dagupan, Mangaldan, and San Fabian; cacao, in those of San Carlos, Salasa, Malasiqui, Calasiao, Mangaldan, Villasis, San Quintin, Tayug, and Mangatarem; coffee, in Alcala, San Quintin, and Villasis. During the fiscal year 1904-5 agriculture has not suffered from the effects of any pest, if the small swarms of locusts that appeared in May and June in the municipalities of Rosales, Umingan, San Quintin, Tayug, and San Nicolas, which were entirely exterminated without causing any damage to plantations, are excepted. Notwithstanding the progressive condition of agriculture, it can be stated that not one-third part is under cultivation of lands formerly farmed, that by reason of past calamities were abandoned and are now covered with cogon grass and brush, in order to cultivate which capital is required. The soil is fertile and deep, as a general rule, and susceptible of cultivation to all sorts of cereals and especially to coffee and cacao, at present produced in comparative abundance. It is ordinarily stated that the scarcity of money is the principal cause of the lack of progress in agriculture in the Philippines, but I believe that this is not the only cause, but rather that the evils of cockfighting and gambling, in which money is thrown away and the energy so necessary for farming work and full moral and material development is misspent, are responsible therefor. By correcting this evil, which deflects the labor of many useful men and is the cause of thefts and the ruin and desolation of entire families, there can be no doubt that agriculture, principally, would gain a great deal. Hence the necessity, in my opinion, of more rigorous measures for the repression of gambling and cockfighting. With reference to the latter, the licensing of same and the care and training of fighting cocks should be at a rate having reference to the classification of the municipalities, that might be placed, for example, at a minimum of 300 a year for municipalities of the fourth class, and of Pi per year for each fighting cock; in those of the third class, 400 and P2; in those of the second class, 1500 and P3; and in those of the first class, P600 and 14. INDUSTRY. Three steam hulling and cleaning machines are in operation, the same as last year; 2 stills for the distillation and rectification of nipa wine, and 100 factories for the making of the said wine; 1 new sawmill; 2 steam and 30 carabao-power mills with wooden cylinders for crushing sugar cane; several salt works and some cocoanut-oil factories operating under primitive native methods; and 1 brickmaking establishment are also in operation. Furniture of all kinds is manufactured from narra, camagon, palo-maria, lanote, cane, and rattan; baskets of all sorts are made of rattan and cane; mats, hats, and pocket cases of buri; hats of cane, nito, and the leaves of the palma brava; rain coats, called "kalapiaw," made of the leaves of the palma brava; and textiles of cotton and silk with primitive wooden looms. There are also constructed small boats, such as cascos, launches, paraos, and bancas, the latter being made of one single piece and having a capacity of from 1 to 4 tons. The following are also manufactured or put up: Lime, fish in brine, tuba and basi (the fermented juice of buri, sugar cane, and nipa); and native sweets called kalamay (made of rice and sugar), pakasiat (a paste made of sugar and buri); and bukayo (a sort of preserves made of shredded cocoanut and sugar). Fishing is carried on in the rivers, lakes, and streams by weirs, traps, and nets of different kinds and dimensions, as well as by other native apparatus, such as salambao (composed of a raft made of cane and nets); saliosio (consisting of a banca with a dragnet made of cane fiber); pasabing (a combination net made of cane and rope); while at sea fishing is carried on by boats and nets. A bank in this province which was established in January, 1905, in the municipality of Dagupan, called the "Banco de Pangasinan," with a capital stock of P100,000, upon the initiative of the active and upright treasurer of this province, Capt. Thomas Hardeman, will, I believe, greatly contribute to the further development of agriculture, industry, and commerce as well as to the exploitation of the forests of valuable timber suitable for the construction of houses and boats and to the development of the 61 gold and copper mining claims that are being worked on the sides of the Salasa and Mangatarem mountains. FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. The books of the provincial treasury show the following balances of provincial and municipal funds: According to the preceding figures, the financial condition of the province is progressing and there is a prospect of the further development of its natural resources. The present provincial administration has the following employees paid out of provincial or municipal funds: Provincial government.-Officials, permanent employees, warden, and jail guards, 46; total annual salaries, 51,503.75; temporary employees, 8. Since January, 1905, the office of provincial supervisor has been vacant on account of the transfer of Mr. Charles F. Vance to the Moro Province, the provincial treasurer having been in charge during his absence. As a consequence of this the provincial board recommended to the Commission in its resolution passed March 1, 1904, that the office of provincial supervisor be consolidated with that of provincial treasurer at an increased salary. Municipal governments.-Permanent officers and employees, 304; total annual salaries, 104, 145.16; municipal police, 473; total annual salaries, P68,646; school teachers, 295; total annual salaries, 43,092. During the past year 2 councilors, 1 municipal treasurer, and 3 justices of the peace have been dismissed for abuses committed in office. EDUCATION. There is a secondary school established at Lingayen, 3 intermediate schools at Lingayen, Alaminos, and Asingan, 32 central municipal schools in one of each of the municipalities, 139 barrio schools, 40 American teachers, 320 Filipino teachers, and 43,678 pupils were enrolled during the school year 1904-5. Great progress has been achieved by the students, and the enthusiasm for education is general. Several municipalities have constructed over 100 barrio schoolhouses by means of voluntary subscriptions of the inhabitants. It is probable that work on the secondary school building will be commenced during the year 1905. In the meanwhile the province has 5 buildings rented for this school, to which has recently been added an industrial department for girls. PROVINCIAL IMPROVEMENTS. During the past year the following amounts have been invested: Roads and bridges, 37,760.11; public buildings, P20,615.50; total, 58,375.61. The roads are in good condition as a general rule. Since January, 1905, when Treasurer Hardeman took charge of the office and duties of the provincial supervisor, contracts have been entered into for the construction and repair of 155 bridges and culverts with a total length of 3,800 feet, for the sum of 40,511.30, of which 31 bridges and culverts with a total length of 1,037 feet have been completed. By virtue of the resolution of the Commission passed May 9, 1905, and the order of the governor-general of May 11, 1905, the provincial board on the 17th of the said month passed a resolution putting in force the provisions of Act No. 774, which prohibits, from July 1, 1905, the use of carts having wheels rigid with the axle and tires less than 24 inches in width, as well as sledges, on the road between Dagupan, Mangaldan, Manaoag, Pozorrubio, and the boundary line of Benguet to Baguio, under penalty of a fine not to exceed P100 for each violation of the law. LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS. Owing to the reorganization of some municipalities and consolidations, the work of repair and construction of municipal buildings for offices of their respective governments have been started and completed in several municipalities. The same is true with regard to schools and markets and local roads and bridges, while other buildings and bridges are either in the process of construction or planned. The debts corresponding to former years in some of the municipalities are being paid. The only pueblo at present encountering difficulty in meeting its obligations is that of Bolinao, but it is hoped that it will soon find a way out of its penury. HEALTH. According to the data furnished by the provincial board of health, there is a municipal board of health organized in each pueblo, with the exception of 6 that have not the funds for that purpose. Between July 1, 1904, and May 31, 1905, 52,473 vaccinations were made. The miasmatic fever and smallpox prevailing during that period of time were, as a general rule, of a mild type. The vital statistics show a total of 12,607 deaths against 18,940 births. POLITICAL CONDITIONS. In January, 1905, 5 individuals were surprised and arrested by the insular and municipal police in a barrio of the municipality of Alaminos and some seditious documents were seized from them which had a tendency to excite rebellion against the Government of the United States, as well as other papers with ridiculous figures tending to agitation. These 5 men are now prisoners in the provincial jail under prosecution for conducting an illegal association. This fact is wanting in importance in so far as it relates to the peace and tranquility of the province, as it is a question of ignorant persons who attempted to deceive the incautious for the purposes of exploitation. From July 1, 1904, to June 30, 1905, 132 criminal cases were taken up and finished in the court of first instance. Before closing this report I desire to state that 21,045 pieces of real property have been seized from delinquents and sold for payment of taxes, the owners of which will be unable to redeem them if, besides the taxes due, together with penalties and interest at 6 per cent, they are obliged to pay costs, in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 1298. The convention of municipal presidents, held June 19, 1905, recommended to the Commission that the interest of 6 per cent and costs be remitted, and the provincial board, in forwarding said recommendation to the honorable the executive secretary, supported same to the extent of recommending that the costs only be remitted. As a general rule the properties sold are small parcels of land which constitute the only source of livelihood for their poverty-stricken owners, for whom it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get together a sufficient sum of money to pay penalties, interest, and costs on top of the delinquent taxes. They might be able to pay the taxes, penalties, and interest, inasmuch as the properties being small the amount owing under these three heads is also small. What really works a hardship upon them is the amount of the costs, which represent a sum larger than the combined delinquent taxes, penalties, and interests. For this reason, if it were advisable to remit, at least, the said costs in case that it is impossible also to remit the penalties and interest, I believe that the condition of these poor people will be greatly relieved. I regret being unable to accompany this report with the photographs indicated in the circular letter of June 1, 1905, owing to lack of time. Respectfully submitted. M. FAVILA, Governor, Province of Pangasinan. The GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF RIZAL. Office of the GOVERNOR, PROVINCE OF RIZAL, SIR: The province of Rizal can be said to have suffered no change since last year with relation to agriculture, industry, and commerce. However, it is to be hoped that the present year will be fruitful in practical and positive results. At the hour of writing this report I am overwhelmed by the thought of the presence of the Asiatic cholera which, though of an endemic character now, will become epidemic unless its effects are combated and overcome. I am taking measures to arrest the disease in so far as possible and to avoid its making ravages among the proletarian class. I am informed that locusts have appeared in some regions, and for that reason I have issued instructions to the presidents for the extermination of this pest. The crops, however, are in a very good condition and it is to be hoped that success shall crown the efforts of the industrious agriculturists, a like result being expected in the production of sugar. SCHOOLS. This important branch of education is fairly well advanced and attended to. There has just been established at Pasig a normal school, and an industrial school is being constructed also. At Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Morong, Tanay, Pililla, Quisao, Jalajala, Taytay, and Parañaque new schools have been built and opened. Everything here augurs flattering success for the department of education. PUBLIC ORDER. Public order, the principal factor of our future wealth and prosperity, is in a normal and satisfactory condition; for though it is true that Macario Sakay has not yet been captured, I have not lost hope of catching him soon. During the month of July I was able to capture Sakay's staff, including Col. Emeterio Flores, Major Marcos Angeles, one Captain Javier, one Captain Luciano, and a large number of officers and soldiers, together with 70 or 80 rifles, revolvers, lances, and bolos. Sakay roams about poorly accompanied, his usual place of refuge being the mountains of Lanating, Mabitac, and Infanta. We are on his trail. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. Owing to the activity and economy introduced in the service by the present provincial treasurer, it can be said that provincial taxation in Rizal has taken a new phase. Where formerly I had lost all hope of building a government house and a provincial jail, to-day, thanks to the assistance of Treasurer Jones, my hopes are revived, and though I may not see them realized in my time, I will always have the satisfaction of having taken the initiative in this matter. Undoubtedly this province, like others, will suffer a sudden change in its revenues by the temporary suspension of the land tax, though I believe that the loss resulting from such suspension will subsequently be made up by proceeds from internal revenue, to say nothing of the gratitude of the patient and long-suffering Filipino farmers. PUBLIC WORKS. The road from Malapad-na-bato to San Pedro Macati has been reconstructed on a straight line, and from this pueblo the piece of road leading to Santa Ana has also been rebuilt. Similar work has been done from Pasig to Mariquina, and from this latter place to San Mateo and Montalvan. The roads from Pasig to Pateros and Taguiig, from Pasig to Cainta, from Singalong to Pasay, and from Mariquina to Santolan and Manila, have also been rebuilt. I conclude this report petitioning your high authority to continue, now and always, to extend your favor to this unfortunate province that in spite of the adjective is none the less faithful to the representative of the sovereign country in these far-off regions. Respectfully submitted. The GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. ARTURO DANCEL, Governor, Province of Rizal, REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF ROMBLON. SIR: I have the honor to send you the following report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1905. The following note demonstrates the condition of the provincial treasury: Balance in favor of the province June 30, P17,231.05. COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS OF THE PROVINCE. During the last and part of the present year the province_suffered from prolonged drouths, no rain having fallen from November, 1904, to June 16 of this year, for which reason quite a scarcity has been noted in hemp, copra, and rice products; the tobacco crop being almost nil as the plantations made were killed by the drouth through which the province had passed. The following table shows the difference between this and the fiscal year 1903—4, according to my last report: |