United States Military Governor in the Philippine Islands

“ Municipal elections shall be held in the house of the municipality, and shall be presided over by a board of election judges consisting of three qualified electors not holding municipal office nor being candidates therefor, who, together with two tellers, possessing like qualifications, shall be designated in writing prior to the day of election, by a majority vote of a Board consisting of those members of the Municipal Council who have the longest unexpired terms of office. ”

“ To provide for licensing every business not prohibited by law and to fix the amount of license tax for the same. To regulate the keeping and use of animals. To suppress games of chance, gambling houses, disorderly houses, nuisances of every description, and all kinds of vice and immorality. To prohibit the burial of the dead within the town except in such places and in such manner as the Council may determine. ”

“ It is in itself educating. It is calculated to urge on the people in the path of true progress, if they are desirous to understand their duties as free citizens and make legitimate use of their privileges. ”

“ ART. 50. Taxation shall be uniform and just. Persons deeming themselves injured by any tax levy may protest to the council, whose duty it shall be to consider and determine such protests at once. Should the protest be disregarded, the protestant may appeal in writing to the Provincial Governor through the Alcalde; the latter shall note upon the appeal papers the action taken by the Council.
ART. 51. A public improvement deemed necessary by the municipal authorities, not exceeding 2,000 pesos in cost, may be made by the Council with the prior approval of the Provincial Governor. ”

“ Those who are or shall be over 62 years of age at date of election. Those physically disabled. Those who have discharged the same duties for two previous terms. ART. 29. The term of office of all appointive officers shall be until the end of the term of the Alcalde appointing them, unless sooner removed, as provided in this order.
ART. 30. Every officer of the municipality shall,at the expiration of his term, deliver to his successor in office, all properties, books and effects of every description in his possession belonging to the town or pertaining to the said office. ”

“ And if, notwithstanding the prudent foresight of the United States Government as herein expressed, errors should occur and abuses should be committed by the municipalities in the management of their interests, the abuses will be strongly repressed in accordance with the penal law, and the responsibility for errors committed must be charged to the electors, who, it is to be hoped, after having seen that they have chosen incompetent or unworthy officers, will endeavor to exercise the elective franchise more wisely in the future. ”

“ Naturally, it is impossible to frame legal provisions which are perfect, but these are susceptible of future improvement in order that they may meet future necessities and keep pace with the development in political knowledge of the Philippine people, with whom now rests the creation of municipalities which shall faithfully administer their interests and protect their rights and liberties. ”

“ To provide for and regulate the inspection of meats, fruits, poultry, milk, fish, vegetables and all other provisions. To provide for the inspection and sealing of weights and measures, and to enforce the keeping of the proper weights and measures by vendors. To prevent intoxication, fighting, gambling and all disorderly conduct; to restrain riots, disturbances or disorderly assemblies. To arrest, fine or set to work on the streets or elsewhere, all vagrants and persons found in the town without visible means of support or some legitimate business. ”

“ To regulate or prohibit the running at large of animals within the limits of the town. To license, tax, regulate or prohibit the keeping of dogs, and authorize the destruction of the same, when at large contrary to ordinance. ”

“ The intervention which has been bestowed upopn the governors of provinces, or the supreme island authorities, is in the intrerest of the towns themselves, as well as of the country in general, because supervision and watchfulness are always indispensable to prevent transgressions of the law, and the harm consequent upon a noncompliance with its precepts. ”

“ Their action is limited by law solely by a desire to establish prudential measures for the common welfare, such as appear to be necessary to secure the prosperity and the moral and material advancement of the country. ”

“ The estimated ordinary expenses must not exceed the estimated resources. This estimate shall include a statement of outstanding indebtedness, if such exists. An estimate of such extraordinary expenditures, if any, as may be required through unusual necessity, or to make permanent improvements. Such estimate shall state the approximate total expenditures by reason of such necessity or improvement, the amount which it is expected to expend during the current year, and source or sources from which it is proposed to secure the necessary funds ”

“ On the day following said term of three days, a duplicate of the election certificate with the original electors’ oaths and the objections made, if any, shall be sent by the chairman of the Board to the Governor of the Province. If the Governor find the election legal, he shall, within three days after the receipt of said documents, direct the newly elected officers to qualify and enter upon their duties on the day fixed by this order. ”

“ ART. 23. The Treasurer shall give to every person paying money to the town treasury a receipt therefor, witnessed by at least one disinterested person, specifying the date of payment, and upon what account paid; and he shall immediately file a duplicate of said receipt with the Alcalde.
ART. 24. All warrants for the payment of money shall be paid in the order in which they shall be presented and the Treasurer shall note on the back of each warrant presented to him the date of such presentation, and, when payment is made, the date of such payment ”

“ ART. 4 Incorporated towns shall be of four classes, according to the number of inhabitants. Towns of the first class shall be those which contain not less than 25,000 inhabitants, and shall have eighteen councilors ”