public discussion was
allowed. The "Internal Revenue Law of 1904" had not been in force nine
months when it was amended (March, 1905) by another law. By Philippine
Commission Acts Nos. 127 and 128 the limits of the Surigao and Misamis
provinces were defined and afterwards upset by Act No. 787. The policy
of the Americans anent the Philippines was continually shifting during
the first five years of their occupation, and only since ex-Governor
Taft became Secretary of War does it seem to have assumed a somewhat
more stable character.

The Archipelago is divided into 41 provinces (exclusive of the Moro
Province, _vide_ p. 577), all under civil rule, in accordance with
Congress Act of July 1, 1902, and War Office Order of July 4, 1902,
whereby the remainder of military government ceased. In June, 1904,
nearly all the above 41 provinces had native governors with salaries
ranging from $3,000 gold downwards. In most of these provinces the
native governor and two American officials of about equal rank, such as
the Treasurer and the Supervisor, form a Provincial Council, but the
member who disagrees with the vote of the other two can appeal to the
Gov.-General. After the War of Independence several insurgent chiefs
were appointed to provincial governments; for instance, Cailles in La
Laguna, Trias in Cavite, Climaco in Cebu, etc. For obvious reasons the
system is advantageous. Juan Cailles, Governor of La Laguna, is the
son of a Frenchman who married a native in one of the French colonies
and then settled in these Islands. For some time Juan Cailles was
registered at the French Consulate as a French citizen. As commander of
the insurgents of La Laguna and Tayabas during the War of Independence,
he maintained strict discipline in his troops, and energetically drew
the line between legitimate warfare and common freebooting.

The provincial governor may be either elected or appointed by the
Civil Commission. If he be a Filipino, he is usually elected by vote
of the vice-presidents (ex-mayors) and municipal councillors of the
province. The mayor of a municipality is styled "Presidente." Every
male over twenty-three years of age who pays taxes amounting to 30
pesos, or who possesses 500 pesos' value of goods is eligible for
election by vote of the townspeople. He holds office for two years,
but can be re-elected for a consecutive term. The municipalities are
of four classes according to their importance, the mayor's salary
being as