[HISTO] First Philippine Commission and Manila in America's Image

Schurman Commission

Created by Pres. McKinley as a fact finding mission, from 1899 to early 1900

Schurman Commission

To investigate abuses committed by US forces

Schurman Commission

To recommend measures to ameliorate the sufferings of Filipinos and to chart a roadmap for the future

Schurman Commission

Members:

• Jacob Schurman, President, Cornell University

• Dean Worcester, Anthropologist, Cornell University

• Charles Denby, civil libertarian

• Adm. Dewey, naval commander

• Gen. Elwell Otis, ground commander

Schurman Commission

Problems:

• Internal Revenue

• Transfer of government & private property and records

• Prison records

• Embargoed estates (mostly friars)

• Expatriation of sick, wounded Spaniards

US Army personnel

handled police functions, revenue collection, customs houses

US Navy personnel

handled light house service, harbor and commercial shipping

Schurman Commission

Report of the Commission

• No PH nation but a collection of different peoples;

• No general public opinion

• Men of property and education concerned in public affairs

• Recognize as indispensable US authority, guidance, and protection

• Filipinos unprepared for independence, and if given could not maintain it

• Filipinos deserved rights and liberties but not independence

• US cannot withdraw from the PH, duty binds them to stay

• Safe and desirable to extend Filipinos further liberties for self-government

Taft Commission

Investigate within 3 months Filipinos grievances and conditions

Taft Commission

Perfect the work of organizing and establishing the civil government

Taft Commission

Functions:

• Make laws and put into effect peace and order

• Generate and collect internal revenue (taxes, lottery, permits, documentary stamps, etc.)

• Appropriate and spend public funds

• Establish an educational system, a civil service and a court system

Taft Commission

Members:

• William Howard taft - friar lands

• Bernard Moses - education, taxation

• Luke Wright - criminal laws, judicial administration, individual rifhts

• Dean Worcester - mining, forestry, agriculture, public and municipal administration

• Henry Ide - court systems, civil codes, banks, currency and registration laws

• Filipinos: Benito Legarda, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera

• Jose Luzurriaga

1905 local elections

Qualified voters are

• at least 23 years old

• Owned real property worth 500 pesos

• Paid at least 30 pesos in annual tax; and

• Read, speak, and write Spanish or English

Mariano Alvarez

Mayor of Novaleta, Cavite

Tomas Earnshaw

Mayor of Manila

Simeon Ola

Mayor of Guinobatan, Albay

Miguel Romualdez

Mayor of Tolosa, Leyte

Pedro Valdez

Congressman of Ilocos Norte

Mena Crisologo

Congressman of Ilocos Sur

Ladislao Diwa, Tomas, Mascardo and Mariano Trias

Congressman of Cavite

Sergio Osmena and Mariano Cuenco

Congressman of Cebu

Norberto Romualdez

Congressman of Leyte

Manuel Roxas

Congressman of Capiz

Manuel L. Quezon

Congressman of Tayabas

Monastic City

Manila at the end of 19th century was described as this term meaning that there was nothing much to do unlike vibrant Asian cities like Hong Kong and Singapore

Baile

Entertainment for people in Intramuros

Intramuros

Spanish Enclave

Binonda

Chinese part of Manila

Ermita and Malate

Part of Manila with Americans

Tondo

Poor man’s quarter

Sta. Cruz

Distilleries

Ermita

Beachfront area

Malate

Wide open fields for sports

Quiapo

Religious worship, etc.

Paco

Old rich and new American settlers