HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INSULAR AFFAIRS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON H. R. 32004 "PROVIDING FOR THE QUADRENNIAL ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE ASSEMBLY AND RESIDENT COMMISSIONERS TO THE UNITED STATES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1911 HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. COMMITTEE ON INSULAR AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Thursday, January 26, 1911. The committee met, at 1().30 o'clock a. m., Hon. Marlin E. Olmsted (chairman) presiding. The (CHAIRMAN. We lave before us HIouse bill 32004, a bill "Providing for the quadrennial election of members of the Philippine Assembly and Resident (Commissioners to the IUnited States, and for. othelr purposes," and we reported, an(l there was passed at the last session, an act approved June 14, 1910, whicli reads as follows: AN ACT Providing for the quadrennial election of members of the Philippine Legislature and Resident Commissioners to the United States, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the present members of the Philippine Assembly shall hold office until the fourth day of March, anno Domini nineteen hundred and twelve, and their successors shall be chosen by the people in the year nineteen hundred and eleven, and in every fourth year thereafter, and shall hold office for four years beginning on the fourth day of March next following their election. At its next regular session after the passage of this act the Philippine Legislature shall fix the date for the commencement of its annual sessions. SEC. 2. That hereafter the terms of Resident Commissioners to the United States shall be four years instead of two. The two to be chosen by the Philippine Legislature at its next regular session, in pursuance of law, shall hold office for four years, and thereafter such elections shall be held quadrennially. Each of said Resident Commissioners shall, in addition to the salary and expenses now allowed by law, be allowed the same sum for stationery and for the pay of necessary clerk hire as is now allowed to the Members of the House of Representatives of the United States, and the franking privilege now enjoyed by Members of the House of Representatives. SEC. 3. That all acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, so far, and so far only, as they conflict with the provisions of this act. Approved, June 14, 1910. I have received under date of January 17 a letter from the Secretary of War addressed to me as chairman of this committee, in which he says: WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 17, 1911. MY DEAR MR. OLMSTED: On January 11, 1911, I received this cablegram from Manila: "Under the provisions of the act of Congress approved June 14, 1910, term delegates is fixed from March 4 for four years and the election must be held in the course of the present year. This would necessitate changing date of next session of the Philippine Legislature to beginning some time in June to enable delegates to get through and get back to their provinces in time for the ensuing electoral campaign. This would make two sessions almost in succession and then none for more than one year. Appropriations passed at this session will be for the ensuing fiscal year, beginning nearly a year later. This arrangement seems most unfortunate. Commission and assembly have fixed the date of October 16 for the annual sessions of the Philippine Legislature. 77747-11 3 4 HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. This is the beginning of the cool season and it is also the season which is particularly advantageous to delegates on account of their business interests aind other matters. It is proposed to make terms of all important elective officers for four years and it is wanted to have uniform date, namely, October 16, for the beginning of the terms of all officers. We want to have elections held not later than July 1, and preferably June 1. This would bring the next general election, say, June 1, 1912. This brings time for campaigning during the dry month of May, when travel easiest. We strongly urge the law be amended this session of Congress changing the terms for deputies to begin October 16, and enabling holding elections in June. Believe Queson will see the necessity of this. "FORB E S. "OSMENA." This cablegram was signed by the Governor General and the speaker of the assembly. After going over this carefully and the act of Congress approved June 14, 1910, which it was proposed to amend, it was believed that a compliance with the suggestion in the cablegram would bring about this difficulty in the matter of the election of Resident Commissioners. The assembly which is elected in June, 1912, will participate in the election of Resident Commissioners at the 1915, or last, session of that legislature. That is, instead of an assembly participating in the election of Resident Commissioners immediately after its election it will do so just before its retirement. This is believed to be an undesirable condition, and it. was thought that if the next date of election of members of the assembly were to be changed to 1912 we should extend the term of the present Resident Commissioners to March, 1913, in order that the assembly which is to be elected in 1912 would at its first session have the choice of Resident (Commissioners to represent it in the United States during its existence. This same condition would apply to future assemblies. Before, however, recommendinig such an amendment of the existing law I directed the following cablegram to be sent to the Governor General: "Referring to telegram from oulr office of 1 th instant, the Secretary of War approves asking for amendment act June 14, 1910, to carry into effect your recommendation; but we believe here that this should require extension of terms of present Resident Commissioners to March 4, 1913, in order that each assembly should at its first regular session participate in the election of Resident Commissioners. Otherwise Resident Commissioners will not represent legislature as it exists during their term of office. Hope can get this through this session, but would like to have your views and those of Osmena with reference to change of terms of the Resident Commissioners. Rush answer by cable." I have to-day received this reply: "Plan of changing date of next general election to 1912 and four years thereafter sufficiently early in the year to give time for settlement of election contests before -meeting of the legislature October 16, say, early in June, and the term all deputies to the assembly to begin October 16, and further change of term in regard to Resident Commissioners meets unanimous approval of commission. "FORBES. * -X- *-X- -X- -* *- * "Plan of having first four years term Resident Commissioners begin March 4, 1913, seems to us admirable. Each legislature on convening for the first time will then elect representatives for the ensuing term. We believe present legislature should not be deprived the opportunity to elect representatives. How would it do to fix term Resident Commissioners elected by the present legislature two years, after which -term to be four years? "FORBES. "OSMENA." In view of these replies I hope that you will be able to have the necessary legislation enacted at this session of Congress, and I inclose a draft of a bill which I thinly would accomplish the desired purposes. Very sincerely, J. M. DICKINSON, Secretary of War. Hon. M. E. OLMSTED, Chairman Committee on Insular Affairs, House of Representatives. This bill, 32004, is drawn to meet the desired purpose, and we would be very glad to hear from Mr. Quezon, in the first instance, as to his views on that. HEARINGS UPON H. E. 32004. 5 Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. You say this House bill (No. 3200(4) is one that seems to meet the requirements? The CHAIRMAN. It is framed to comply with thle suggestions in that correspondence. STATEMENT OF HON. MANUEL L. QUEZON, RESIDENT COMMISSIONER FROM THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Mr. QuEZON. This is the tlirdd time, lMr. ('hlairman, that tlhe Philippine organic act has been amended with tegar(l to the members of the assembly and Resident Commissioners. The first time it was so as to allow the Philippine Legislature to chlange the date of the sessions. When the Philippine organic act was first passed by Congress it fixed the date of the session of the Pliilippine legislature, and unfortunately they fixed the worst time for the Philippines to have those sessions. It was the hottest season of the year. The legislature found it so inconlvenienlt that they requested to be allowed to fix another date, and they were allowedl to do so. The 16th of October was selected to be the first (lay of the session of the Pliilippine Legislature for two reasons, because it was the most comfortable season of the year an(d because it was the day of thle inauguration of the Philippine Assembly by the Secretary of 5War, now our President, Mr. Taft. Then tile act was amenided again making the term of oflice of mnembers of the Philippine Assembly four years instead of two. This change was ma(le mainly for two reasons. The first was, for reasons of economy, in order not to havZ so many elections in the Philippines, and the second so as to avoid so many political campaigns, and to have the people rest and attend to their work. This bill was passed last year, and the Philippine Legislature found itself under this inconvenience, that if their tern should not be prorogued until the 16th of October, 1912, the assembly that is now in session will have to hold its second session almost immediately after the end of the present one, so as to enable delegates to get through and get back to their provinces in time for the ensuing electoral campaign. That will make two successive sessions of the Plilippine Legislature in one year to consider the appropriations bill for 1912 and 1913. The recommended change of the law does not give any real benefit to the present members of the Philippine Legislature, because they get per diem salary, while in session, and so the holding of their office is only nominal; they will not get any more salary for being in office to the 16th of October. This arrancement will meet the convenience of the Government as well as of thie people. The CHAIRMAN. You have read this bill, have you, Mr. Quezon? Mr. QUEZON. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And in your judgment it meets the situation and its passage is desirable? Mr. QUEZON. Yes; it meets the situation in so far as the assemblymen are concerned. The CHAIRMAN. Do any of the members of the committee want to make any inquiries of Mr. Quezon? Mr. PAGE. When does your present term expire? Mr. QUEZON. It will expire the 4th of March of this present year; Mr. PAGE. 1911? 6 HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. Mr. QUEZON. Yes. Mr. PAGE. This bill extends it until 1912? Mr. QUEZON. I have nothing to say about that, Mr. Page. I decline to discuss that question with regard to Resident Commissioners until I get instructions from the speaker of the assembly, because I am personally interested. The assembly, who are the electorate of the Resident Commissioners, have expressed their views in the cablegram read by the chairman, signed by Mr. Osmena and Governor Forbes. If we were to be elected now we should hold our office until the 4th of March, 1915, and they do not want to make it so, because our successors would be elected by the assembly which will then be going out of office, and our successors will not represent the Philippine Legislature. They want to have the present Resident Commissioners in office at the same time with this present Philippine Legislature, so that the coming Philippine Legislature will be the first one to elect for four years. Mr. PAGE. Yes; I see. You were elected, Mr. Quezon, by the present legislature? Mr. QUEZON. Yes. Mr. GRAHAM. For four years or for two years? Mr. PAGE. For two years. Mr. QUEZON. We were elected for two years, but should our successors be elected now they would be elected for four years. Mr. GRAHAM. That act is now in effect? The CHAIRMAN. Yes. Mr. GRAHAM. I can not see any objection. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Legarda, we would like to hear from you. You are one of the Resident Commissioners? Mr. LEGARDA. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. At the present time? Mr. LEGARDA. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. Have you read this House bill, No. 32004? Mr. LEGARDA. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. Will you state to the committee briefly your views as to the desirability of its passage? Mr. LEGARDA. Yes, sir; I have nothing to add to what Mr. Quezon said about it. They are the facts in the case. The CHAIRMAN. You concur, then, in his statement? Mr. LEGARDA. Yes. Mr. PAGE. Mr. Chairman, I notice this bill allows stationery and clerk hire. Does the bill which passed a former session of Congress allow that? The CHAIRMAN. Yes; that is the bill we passed. 'I his is just copied from the present law. Mr. QUEZON. Mr. Chairman, I have just this minute received a cablegram from the speaker of the house with regard to this same question, a confidential telegram, in which he says that the house agree to the extension of the office of the resident commissioners until the next session of the Philippine Assembly; so that they can elect at the next session of the Philippine Assembly the resident commissioners. Mr. MADISON. In other words, they approve the provisions of this bill HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. 7 Mr. QUEZON. Not entirely, because according to this bill we should hold our office by act of Congress until the 4th of March, 1913, and the speaker thinks that we should be paroled until the next meeting of the legislature, and then let them elect the resident commissioners. Mr. MADISON. For four years or for one year? Mr. QUEZON. No; it will be for two sessions. Mr. MADISON. Yes; that is it. Mr. QUEZON. And their successors will be elected for four years. Mr. PAGE. That would mean that the act of Congress extended the time of the commissioners for one year and left it to the Philippine Legislature as to the remainder. Mr. MADISON. As to who should be elected. Mr. QUEZON. That would mean that the present resident commissioners shall hold office until the next session of the Philippine Legislature. Mr. PAGE. I think if we are going to extend it at all we had better extend it for the time. Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. As I understand, they want the terms of these commissioners to conform to the beginning of the legislature over there. Mr. DENVER. And to the terms of the legislators. Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. Yes; and to the terms of the legislators. Mr. MADISON. This bill provides for an extension of one year in the term of office of these gentlemen. Their present term would expire on March 4, 1912. Mr. PAGE. He has just said, in answer to my question, that his term expired on the 4th of March, 1911. Mr. MADISON. I thought the terms of the present commissioners expired at the same time that ours did. Mr. PAGE. Our terms expire the 4th of March, 1911. Mr. MADISON. 1Oh, yes. Mr. PAGE. I d(lid not exactly catch the effect of that telegram Mr. Quezon has just read. The CHAIRMAN. I am unable to see the effect of it. Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. Where would you say this ought to be amended so as to conform to this telegram you have just received? Give us your idea about that. Mr. QUEZON. I conceive that the law should say that the present commissioners should hold office until their successors have been elected by the Philippine Legislature in its next regular session. Mr. MADISON. Let me ask you this question: When does your present term of office expire? Mr. DENVER. It expires this year, the 4th of March, 1911, does it not? Mr. MADISON. This year? Mr. QUEZON. Yes. Mr. MADISON. Now, you have not been elected for the succeeding term? Mr. QUEZON. No. sir. Mr. MADISON. No on- has been elected Resident Commissioner for the Sixty-second Congress? Mr. QUEZON. No, sir. Mr. MADISON. When would commissioners be elected for the Sixtysecond Congress? 8 HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. Mr. QUEZON. At the next session of the Philippine Legislature. Mr. MADISON. When will that be held? Mr. QUEZON. Commencing the 16th of next October. Mr. PAGE. This year? Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. Yes; this year-1911. Mr. MADISON. That would be time enough for the next session of Congress. Mr. HAMILTON. Yes; but this bill declares that they shall hold office until the 4th of March, 1913, and the cablegram Mr. Quezon has suggests that we shall await the action of the Philippine Legislature next October, and this would forestall that action and give him two years more from the 4th of March of this year. Mr. MADISON. In other words, the Congress of the United States instead of the Philippine Assembly would elect these men for the Sixty-second Congress. Mr. HAMILTON. For two years more? Mr. MADISON. Yes. Mr. HAMILTON. Whereas this cablegram suggests that they await the action of the Philippine Assembly next October. Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. Unless some action is taken here, there will be an interim between March and the next assembly over there when these Resident Commissioners would be out and there would not be anybody in their places. The CHAIRMAN. If there was an extra session of Congress the Philippine Islands would not be represented here. Mr. QUEZON. That is what the speaker has in mind in sending this cablegram. Mr. MADISON. That is true enough. Mr. HAMILTON. What function do they perform during a vacation of Congress? Mr. MADISON. They draw their salaries. Mr. PAGE. That is one important function. The CHAIRMAN. And then we might have an extra se sion of Congress. Mr. MADISON. Of course there is business before the departments that is more important than their legislative bills, too. Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. Every man has as much to attend to (luring the vacation as during the sessions; I know I have. Mr. HAMILTON. I was speaking of the functions here. We have some functions to perform at home. Mr. PAGE. The functions of these commissioners are more largely with the departments than with the Congress, anyhow. Mr. HAMILTON. I suppose so. Why should this interim occur here? Should they not have foreseen that? Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. It does not occur, except we pay attention to this cablegram. If we pay attention to the idea of this cablegram there would be an interim. Mr. HAMILTON. No; the interim is there under this law. Under the existing law the terms of these geptlemen expire on the 4th of March. Mr. MADISON. To comply with the suggestion of the Philippine Assembly, as I understand it, we ought to amend this bill so as to provide that these gentlemen should hold their office until the Philippine Assembly has elected their successors, which they will do m HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. 9 October. Then we provide that they shall elect their successsors in October, to hold office until the time that we fix in this bill, March 4, 1913. Mr. QUEZON. Yes. Mr. MADISON. And then and thereafter, and in the regular session beginning in 1912, this assembly shall elect Resident Commissioners for a period of four years. Now, that would comply with the suggestions of your legislature. Mr. QUEZON. Yes. Mr. HELM. I do not understand that your legislature is now in session? Mr. QUEZON. They are in session for three days more. The CHAIRMAN. Three days more? Mr. QUEZON. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. We could not pass this act of Congress in three days. Mr. QUEZON. Oh, yes; but they do not have to be in session for that, I think. The CHAIRMAN. No; but they have to be in session to elect Resident Commissioners. Mr. QUEZON. They have to be in session to elect the Resident Commissioners, but should they elect now, they will elect for four years. Mr. HELM. Can we elect them, or can we so change the law that the Philippine Legislature can elect for four years? Mr. MADISON. They could elect right now for four years. The CHAIRMAN. The act of June 14, 1910, reads: SEC. 2. That hereafter the terms of Resident Commissioners to the United States shall be four years instead of two. The two to be chosen by the Philippine Legislature at its next regular session, in pursuance of law, shall hold office for four years, and hereafter such elections shall be held quadrennially. Mr. MADISON. The Philippine Legislature has the right now (luring these three days remaining of their session, if they want to do so, to elect these two Resident Commissioners for four years. They would be entitled to their seats for four years. Mr. HAMILTON. Why does not the Philippine Assembly elect your successors at its present session? Mr. PAGE. That was explained in a letter which was read, from the Secretary of War, and by cablegrams that he quoted before you came in, explaining that it was not desirable that the outgoing legislature should elect Resident Commissioners to serve during the term of their new legislature, but that that duty should devolve on the new legislature to be elected and come in, in their term. That was explained by letters read before you came in. Mr. MADISON. But they have authority under the law to elect, and they have not any right to await prospective legislation. If thev have the authority to elect now, they ought to elect. Mr. HAMILTON. It is really their duty to do so. Mr. MADISON. The legislature of Michigan, for instance, would not wait before electing a Senator or some other officer, because there might be some constitutional amendment come along a year or two years later. Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. Do these commissioners hold over until their successors are elected? Mr. QUEZON. No. The CHAIRMAN. Under the present law they hold over until the 4th of March, 1912. 10 H0EARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. Mr. RUCKER of Colorado. Now, should we not pass a law here to extend their time over until the meeting of the next legislature and the choice of their successors? The CHAIRMAN. Both of your terms would expire on the 4th of March, 1911? Mr. QUEZON. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. No; but this act extends them until 1912. Your terms do not expire until March 4, 1912. Mr. QUEZON. The act of last June? The CHAIRMAN. Yes. Mr. QUEZON. If that is the case Mr. PAGE. If that is so, that settles the whole business. There is nothing to be done. The CHAIRMAN. This extends the terms of the present Commissioners to March 4, 1913, and after that they are to be elected quadrennially. Mr. PAGE. When was the last regular session of the Philippine Legislature begun? Mr. QUEZON. The 15th of October, 1910; and they are now in session. Mr. PAGE. They have simply failed to elect, over there. (Informal discussion among the members of the committee followe(l.) Mr. QUEZON. Mr. Chairman, I think that the suggestion made by Judge Madison is precisely the one which meets the wishes and the rights of the Philippine Legislature; that is, to extend the term of office of the present Resident Commissioners until the next session of the Philippine Legislature, which will take place on the 16th of October next year, and then let the Philippine Legislature elect for two years, or rather for two sessions of Congress. The Resident Commissioners then elected will be for the session of next December and December of 1912, their terms expiring on the 4th of March, 1913, so that their successors will be chosen by the incoming Philippine Legislature, which will elect them to hold office for four years. Mr. MADISON. If I was doing the thing myself, I know what I would do. I am only making this in the way of a suggestion. Assuming that my idea is correct, I first assume that we have got a right to terminate, that Congress would have the right to shorten, the term of these men. They have not any vested right in their office. If they were elected for four years we would have the right, nevertheless, to shorten their term. We can wire to the legislature to go ahead and elect for four years, and then we can shorten your term and make it comply with the wishes of the Attorney General and the War Department. Mr. HAMILTON. If you do that you will get into a worse snarl that way. Mr. MADISON. That gives the Philippine Legislature the right to elect, which it has now, for that matter, and I do not see why it does not elect. Mr. QUEZON. But if Congress fails to pass the bill, the Resident Commissioners will be holding office for four years. Mr. MADISON. Yes; but they have a perfect right to do so now. Mr. QUEZON. What he says in this cablegram is to parol our office until the next meeting of the Philippine Legislature, and then our HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. 11 successors will be elected for two years, and after that they will be elected for four years. The CHAIRMAN. No; they are not. They can not elect for four years. Mr. HAMILTON. The law requires that they elect for four years. You can not elect for two years. Mr. MADISON. They must elect for four years. They can not elect for a shorter time; but Congress can shorten the time and give the Philippine Legislature in 1912 the right to elect for four years, beginning the 4th of March, 1913. Mr. DENVER. Mr. Chairman, does not this bill, as introduced by you, cover the point exactly? The CHAIRMAN. It seems to me it does. Mr. PAGE. It strikes me so, and if we are going to elect for one year we are extending it no more by making it for two years and making it conform with the incoming legislature; and if we are going to pass any legislation at all, it seems to me that the best thing to do sould be to pass this bill extending the time of the present Commissioners until 1913, as this bill provides. The CHIARMAN. And then- it will run along smoothly. Mr. PAGE. And then their successiors are elected by that incoming legislature, and it will run along smoothly. Mr. HAMILTON. When does the term of the present legislature expire? Mr. QUEZON. Under the present law it will expire in March, 1912. Mr. PAGE. In March, 1912. We extend the term of the commissioners by this bill until March, 1913. Mr. HAMILTON. That is two years. Mr. PAGE. Yes; but the legislature that comes in succeeding this legislature does not meet until October 15, 1912, and they would have to elect the successors of these gentlemen for four years beginning the succeeding term next March. This bill will fit the situation. Mr. HAMILTON. Yes; I think that is true. I feel that the legislature that is elected to represent the present sentiment of the people, or the sentiment of the people at the time of the election, ought to be represented by the delegates. Mr. PAGE. Yes; certainly. And if it is to be continued only one more year, I see no particular impropriety in extending it for the two years. That would give this legislature the opportunity of electing twice. Mr. HAMILTON. I see this reads, on page 2, "Their successors will be elected by the Philippine Legislature at the regular session," and so on. Is that word "will" properly used there? The CHAIRMAN. It should be "shall." That is a clerical error. Mr. MADISON. I am opposed to the Congress of the United States electing the Representatives from the Philippine Islands in the Sixtysecond Congress. That is what it means. I believe that the Philippine Islands should be given the opportunity to name their own Representatives here. I do not know who they would elect. I hope they would return these men. I would, if I was there. Mr. HAMILTON. Under present conditions they would not be permitted to do it. Mr. MADISON. Yes; they would. They have a right, right now, to do it; and I do not know why they have not elected them already for two years. 12 IHEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. Mr. HAMILTON. Perhaps the people of the Philippine Islands have elected a legislature that more accurately represents the sentiment of the people than this legislature. Mr. MADISON. I say that the Philippine Legislature represents the sentiments of the Philippine Islands more than we do. The CHAIRMAN. We have already elected them for half of the Sixty-second Congress. Mr. PAGE. If we take any action at all, we go to the 4th of March? The CHAIRMAN. Yes; to the 4th of March, 1912. Mr. MADISON. No. The CHAIRMAN. Yes; you do. Mr. MADISON. This reads: That hereafter the terms of Resident Commissioners to the United States shall be four years instead of two. The two to be chosen by the Philippine Legislature at its next regular session, in pursuance of law, shall hold office for four years. Now, I understand that the next regular session of the Philippine Legislature begins on the 16th of October. Mr. QUEZON. Yes. Mr. MADISON. Under existing law is not that the legislature that should elect successors to you gentlemen? Mr. QUEZON. Yes. Mr. MADISON. And it has not done so? Mr. HAMILTON. They have not done so because of that sentiment, I imagine, expressed in the cablegram, that they want the incoming legislature to elect for the term corresponding to the term of the legislature. Mr. QUEZON. How would it do to make that amendment of the law just general; to say that the Resident Commissioners who shall be elected at the next session of the Philippine Legislature shall hold office until the 4th of March, 1913, leaving out entirely the provisions extending the term of office of the present Resident Commissioners? The CHAIRMAN. It occurs to me that this bill was sent along with the letter of the Secretary of War, having been prepared by him. He says: Plan of having first four years term Resident Commissioners begin March 4, 1913, seems to us admirable. Each legislature on convening for the first time will then elect representatives for the ensuing term. We believe present legislature should not be deprived the opportunity to elect representatives. How would it do to fix term Resident Commissioners elected by the present legislature two years, after which term to be four years. That would be all right if they elect now, but if they do not electMr. PAGE. Yes; but they can not elect unless we authorize them. Mr. MADISON. Yes, they can; and then we can shorten the term. The CHAIRMAN. I do not like to shorten a man's term, anyhow. Mr. MADISON. I just instinctively shrink from it; I admit that. [Laughter.] The CHAIRMAN. There might be another legislature of another political complexion in there. Mr. HELM. I think Mr. Madison has it right. They have the right, and let them elect. You are supposing a difference between an outgoing and an incoming legislature of perhaps different sentiments. You have to sup HEARINGS UPON H. R. 32004. 13 pose and to anticipate. The whole thing is hypothecated on the change of mind, the change of sentiment. The necessity of this is simply in anticipation of something that is to occur four years from now. Mr. HAMILTON. At any rate you would probably have an interim from the 4th of March, 1911, until the October session, and that would leave the Philippine Islands unrepresented. The CHAIRMAN. I will tell you what we might do and straighten this out. Mr. MADISON. All right. The CIAIRMAN. We miight provilde that the present Resident Commissioners shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified; that the Resident Commissioners elected by theI present Philippine Legislature shall hold( office until March 4, 1913. Mr. MADISON. That is it exactly. That meets it exactly. The CHAIRMAN. And that thereafter they shall hold office for four years. Mr. MADISON. That meets it. Mr. QUEZON. That is precisely what the speaker reconlmen(ls an(l what I have beei trying to explain here. Mr. PAGE. That meets it. Mr. MADISON. So that then we will only continue these gentlemen until next October, and until their successors are elected and come here, if other gentlemen are named. Mr. PAGE. And then provision is made enabling them to elect this time for two years, and hereafter the terms of the Commissioners may be concurrent with the terms of the legislature. Mr. MADISON. I move that the bill be amended in accordance with the suggestion made by the chairman, and that he be authorized to amend section 2 to express the idea which he has just expressed orally before the committee. Mr. PAGE. I second the motion. The CHAIRMAN. And to report the bill with a favorable recommendation, with the amendment, and secure its passage, placing it on the calendar and securing a suspension of the rules, or in any other possible way? Mr. MADISON. Yes; I accept the amendment. (At 11.10 o'clock a. m. the committee proceeded to other business.) 0