A Tacoman’s View on the Philippines

Judge James Ross of the Court of First Instance of the Philippines is staying at the Raleigh in Washington. He went to the islands in 1899 from Tacoma, Washington, where he had been an attorney, as a captain of volunteers. From that position to governor of the province of Ambos Camarines in southern Luzon and assistant attorney-general and judge-at-large were the successive steps won by his efficiency. He has his headquarters at Manila. 'The judicial system of the Philippine islands,' said Judge Ross to the Washington Post, 'is working out successfully, with nine natives and fifteen Americans on the Court of First Instance and three natives and four Americans on the Supreme Court. The first series of courts is about the same as the state superior or district courts in the United States. During the past two or three years, since the establishment of peaceful conditions, the number of criminal cases tried has decreased. Today it is safer to walk at midnight in the streets of Manila than in the streets of Chicago. There was a time when there were many marauding bands, but they have been apprehended, except possibly in certain districts in Samar, and the people have settled down to abide by the laws of the new regime. Ordinarily they are quiet and passive in disposition. The greater part of the business of the courts at the present time concerns land cases. Under the old Spanish system for centuries an intricate system of land registration was in vogue and therefore there is now much litigation over the settlement of titles. This is being adjusted also through the court of land registration and the Torrens system. Each title is properly registered and simplicity prevails. Though conditions are settled, the administrative and judicial officers of the government find plenty to do. The governors are mostly natives now.'