iles from Manila, he could
better unite and control the rebel factions here and there over the
northern provinces; he could, moreover, either make use of the line
of railway or cut off the connection with Manila, or he could divert
supplies from the rich rice districts and Pangasinan ports, whilst
the almost impregnable mountains were of easy access in case of need.

Aguinaldo declared Malolos to be the provisional capital of his
Revolutionary Government, and convened a Congress to meet there on
September 15 in the church of Barasoain. [204] Fifty-four deputies
responded to the summons, and in conformity with Aguinaldo's
proclamation of June 23 they proceeded to elect a President of
Congress, Vice-President, Secretaries, etc. The result of the voting
was a remarkable event of the revolution. Don Pedro A. Paterno was
elected President of Congress! The man whom the revolutionists had,
less than four months before, so satirically admonished for his
leaning towards Spanish sovereignty, was chosen to guide the political
destinies of this budding democracy and preside over their republican
legislative body! Deputies Benito Legarda and Ocampo were chosen
to be Vice-President and Secretary respectively. Congress voted
for Aguinaldo a salary of P50,000 and P25,000 for representation
expenses. These figures were afterwards reversed, i.e., P25,000
salary, and P50,000 for expenses; but Aguinaldo, who never showed any
desire for personal gain, was quite willing to set aside the vote. A
decree in Congress, dated September 21, imposed compulsory military
service on every able-bodied Philippine male over 18 years of age,
except those holding office under the Revolutionary Government. At
an early session of Congress Deputy Tomas del Rosario made a long
speech advocating Church Disestablishment. [205]

The night before Congress met to announce the election of President,
etc., an attempt was made to poison Emilio Aguinaldo. Dinner was
about to be served to him; the soup was in the tureen, when one of
the three Spanish prisoners who were allowed to be about the kitchen
tasted the soup in a manner to arouse suspicion. The steward at once
took a spoonful of it and fell dead on the spot. The three prisoners
in question, as well as 11 Franciscan friars, were consequently placed
in close confinement. At the next sitting of Congress the incident
was mentioned and it was resolved to go _en masse_ to congratulate
Aguinaldo on his lucky escape. A