her sister nations; that she cannot now refuse specific realization of those purposes and ideals, which found eloquent expression in her spokesmen both in times of war and in times of peaceful reconstruction; and that she will make the Filipino people a determining factor in the relationship that should exist between the United States and the only unincorporated and subject country now under the American flag.

We, therefore, submit our case, with faith and confidence, frankly and without evasion. It is the case of the Filipino people whom in fact and in law we represent; for certainly under the present circumstances no other agency can speak or act with as much authority on what the Filipino people want or on Filipino conditions in general, as their duly accredited representatives. That is the very essence of representative government.

We reiterate that the present is the time for the United States completely to discharge its obligations to the Philippines. The Filipino people have fulfilled their part in the covenant with America. Their relations with the United States are of the most cordial and friendly nature. If the independence of the Philippines could now be secured as an amicable agreement between the two peoples, nay, even as an act of magnanimity on the part of a sovereign Power, how much would that mean for the peace of the world! How much more would that add to the prestige of the United States when she again appears before the world as a champion of democracy and human liberty!

Very respectfully,

MANUEL L. QUEZON, chairman on the part of the Senate
SERGIO OSMENA, chairman on the part of the House of Repre-

sentatives

JORGE B. VARGAS, secretary.

[The letter is signed also by 14 others.]

102. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

During the period of the Confederation, and while sitting at Philadelphia, Congress was at one time nearly mobbed by groups of dissatisfied soldiers. This and other occurrences emphasized the necessity of locating the seat of the federal government within a region completely subject to the control of that government. Upon the adoption of the new Constitution, the states of Maryland and Virginia ceded to the United States a tract of land approximately ten miles square, lying on both sides of the Potomac River, and since known as the District of Columbia. In 1846 the portion lying on the Virginia side was receded to that state, the District consisting therefore of approximately 70 square miles, including within it the city of Washington and the surrounding suburban areas. Under its power of exclusive legislation for this region Congress has established different forms of government at various times. From 1790 until 1802, there was a board of three commissioners appointed by the President. In 1802 a mayor-council form of government was provided, with an elective council, and a mayor at first appointed by the President, later (1812) made elective by the council, and in 1820 elective by the people. In 1871, the charters of Washington and of the older city of Georgetown were both revoked, and the District of Columbia made a single municipality; its government consisted of a governor and other officers appointed by the President, a bicameral legislative assembly elected by the people, and a delegate in Congress also popularly elected. In 1874, this form of government was abolished, and a temporary government was established, consisting of three commissioners appointed by the President. In 1878 this temporary form was, in effect, made permanent by the so-called Organic Act of that year.

[Organic Act of 1878. U. S. Statutes, vol. 20, pp. 102-108.]

An act providing a permanent form of government for the District of Columbia.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all the territory which was ceded by the State of Maryland to the Congress of the United States for the permanent seat of the government of the United States shall continue to be designated as the District of Columbia. Said District and the property and persons that may be therein shall be subject to the following provisions for the government of the same, and also to any existing laws applicable thereto not hereby repealed or inconsistent with the provisions of this act. The District of Columbia shall remain and continue a municipal corporation, as provided in section two of the Revised Statutes relating to said District, and the Commissioners herein provided for shall be deemed and taken as officers of such corporation; and all laws now in force relating to the District of Columbia not inconsistent with the provisions of this act shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 2. That within twenty days after the approval of this act the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, is hereby authorized to appoint two persons, who, with an officer of the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army, whose lineal rank shall be above that of captain, shall be Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and who, from and after July first, eighteen hundred and seventyeight, shall exercise all the powers and authority now vested in the Commissioners of said District, except as are hereinafter limited or provided, and shall be subject to all restrictions and limitations and duties which are now imposed upon said Commissioners. The Commissioner who shall be an officer detailed, from time to time, from the Corps of Engineers, by the President, for this duty, shall not be required to perform any other, nor shall he receive any other compensation than his regular pay and allowances as an officer of the Army. The two persons appointed from civil life shall, at the time of their appointment, be citizens of the District of Columbia for three years next before their appointment, and have, during that period, claimed residence nowhere else, and one of said three Commissioners shall be chosen president of the Board of Commissioners at their first meeting, and annually and whenever a vacancy shall occur, thereafter.

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SEC. 3. That as soon as the Commissioners appointed and detailed as aforesaid shall have taken and subscribed the oath or affirmation hereinbefore required, all the powers, rights, duties, and privileges lawfully exercised by, and all property, estate, and effects now vested by law in the Commissioners appointed under the provisions of the act of Congress approved June twentieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-four, shall cease and determine [sic]. And the Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall have power, subject to the limitations and provisions herein contained, to apply the taxes or other revenues of said District to the payment of the current expenses thereof, to the support of the public schools, the fire department, and the police, and for that purpose shall take possession and supervision of all the offices, books, papers, records, moneys, credits, securities, assets, and accounts belonging or appertaining to the business or interests of the government of the District of Columbia, and exercise the duties, powers, and authority aforesaid; but said Commissioners, in the exercise of such duties, powers, and authority, shall make no contract, nor incur any obligation other than such contracts and obligations as are hereinafter provided for and shall be approved by Congress. And said Commissioners are hereby authorized to abolish any office, to consolidate two or more offices, reduce the number of employees, remove from office, and make appointments to any office under them authorized by law. The said Commissioners shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, and annually thereafter, for his examination and approval, a statement showing in detail the work proposed to be undertaken by them during the fiscal year next ensuing, and the estimated cost thereof; also

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the cost of constructing, repairing, and maintaining all bridges authorized by law across the Potomac River within the District of Columbia, and also all other streams in said District; the cost of maintaining all public institutions of charity, reformatories, and prisons belonging to or controlled wholly or in part by the District of Columbia, and which are now by law supported wholly or in part by the United States or District of Columbia; and also the expenses of the Washington Aqueduct and its appurtenances; and also an itemized statement and estimate of the amount necessary to defray the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the next fiscal year. To the extent to which Congress shall approve of said estimates, Congress shall appropriate the amount of fifty per centum thereof; and the remaining fifty per centum of such approved estimates shall be levied and assessed upon the taxable property and privileges in said District other than the property of the United States and of the District of Columbia.

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SEC. 12. That it shall be the duty of the said Commissioners to report to Congress at the next session succeeding their appointment a draft of such additional laws or amendments to existing laws as in their opinion are necessary for the harmonious working of the system hereby adopted, and for the effectual and proper government of the District of Columbia; and said Commissioners shall annually report their official doings in detail to Congress on or before the first Monday of December. Approved, June 11, 1878.

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an important part in their actual government and administration. The following selections indicate the methods and types of control exercised.

a. Preliminary Negotiation for Control of Santo Domingo [Minister Dawson to Secretary of State Hay. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1905, pp. 298-300.]

No. 100.]

AMERICAN LEGATION,

Santo Domingo, January 2, 1905. SIR: I have the honor to confirm your telegram, as follows: Washington, December 30, 1904. DAWSON, Minister, Santo Domingo:

Confidential. You will sound the President of Santo Domingo, discreetly but earnestly and in a perfectly friendly spirit, touching the disquieting situation which is developing owing to the pressure of other governments having arbitral awards in their favor and who regard our award as conflicting with their rights. Already one European Government strongly intimates that it may resort to occupation of some Dominican customs ports to secure its own payment. There appears to be a concert among them. You will ascertain whether the Government of Santo Domingo would be disposed to request the United States to take charge of the collection of duties and effect an equitable distribution of the assigned quotas among the Dominican Government and the several claimants. We have grounds to think that such arrangement would satisfy the other powers, besides serving as a practical guaranty of the peace of Santo Domingo from external influence or internal disturbance. HAY.

and to say that I immediately called upon President Morales. We entered upon a full and friendly discussion of the international relations and internal politics of this country as affected by its financial obligations, in the course of which I did not disguise from him my conviction that the European creditors would wait no longer for their money.. He frankly answered that such was his own conviction and that he was daily expecting a European demand, backed by a war vessel, and a demand from me for the four northern ports under the Improvement award. He clearly realizes that the European creditors will accept no guaranty he can offer, and each would insist on having the full annual amount provided for its own protocol, leaving him nothing, or next to nothing, to run the administration. He said that personally he had long been of the opinion that the best solution was for the