December 30

Manila was formerly the capital of the province of that name, as
well as the Philippine metropolis. Since the American occupation the
city and suburbs form a kind of federal zone; what was once Manila
Province is now known as Rizal Province, and with it is incorporated
that territory formerly designated Morong District, the capital town
of this newly-created province being Pasig.

The Municipal Board of Manila is composed of five persons, namely
a Philippine mayor and one Philippine and three American members,
who are practically all nominees of the Insular Government. The
emolument of the mayor and of each member is $4,500. The Board,
assisted by a staff of 20 persons, native and American, has the
control of the ten following departments, viz.:--Police, Fire, Law,
Police Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, Public Works, Assessments
and Collections, Deeds Register, City Schools, and Sheriff's Office
connected with the government of the federal zone of Manila.

Manila is the seat of the Insular Government, which comprises (1) the
Philippine Commission (Legislative), composed of eight members, of whom
five (including the president) are Americans and three are Filipinos;
(2) the Civil Commission (Executive), the president of which holds the
dual office of President of the Philippine Commission and Gov.-General,
whilst the four secretaries of Interior, Finance and Justice, Public
Instruction, and Commerce and Police are those same Americans who
hold office as members of the Philippine Commission. The Philippine
Commission is empowered to pass statutes, subject to ratification
by Congress, the enacting clause being, _By authority of the United
States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission_. The Insular
Government communicates with the Washington Government through the
Department of the Secretary of State for War.

Up to the end of 1904 the chief authority in these Islands was styled
the "Civil Governor." Thenceforth, by special Act of Congress, the
title was changed to that of "Governor-General."

The Emoluments of the Members of the Insular Government, the Chiefs of
Departments, and the principal officers are as follows, viz. [236]:--

$ gold
President of the Philippine and Civil Commissions 20,000
Four American Members of the Philippine Commission,
_ex-officio_ Members of the Civil Commission each 15,500