But what difference does it make if taxes are collected when the province, far from being benefited, is unable to lift itself from its state of depression and neglect?

To give a slight idea of the monthly expenditures of this province, I will take the liberty of giving in figures a detailed account of the purposes of these expenditures.

Quarterly payments for subsistence of prisoners confined in Bilibid, owing to the lack of a provincial jail, for the months of January, February, and March, 1904, P1,847.20; per year, #21,166.40. Average monthly payments to the insular purchasing agent, #1,796.36; yearly, #21,556.32. Monthly rent of buildings, #257; yearly, #3,084. Monthly payment of wages to laborers, carpenters, and drivers, 1.224.65; yearly, #14,695.80. Bonds of provincial and municipal employees, #1,403.28. Monthly salaries of employees, 2,791.79; yearly, 33,503.6. Monthly payments to public printer and other expenses, 1,000. Hire of teams used in hauling on public works, per month, 1,400.60. Monthly expenditure for gravel for public roads, #580.

The above are the total expenses, monthly and annually, incurred by this province, without counting others which it is unnecessary to mention for my purpose.

Now, then, it has been the desire of this government always to introduce the greatest economy in all things in order to satisfy its eager desire to construct the necessary building for the provincial administration, but, unfortunately, this desire has always met with disaster because of the irregular and anomalous procedure adopted by the insular treasury.

The office of the governor has at present but two clerks and one interpreter, who collect #163.33 monthly. The office of the provincial secretary is provided with a clerk drawing 30 per month, who is also the secretary of all those boards in which he has to act in that capacity by reason of his office. All other salaries are paid to the personnel of the provincial treasury.

Everybody knows that the governor of this province from the very first day of his administration has not taken a minute's rest, having had personally to intervene in all matters affecting the prosperity of the province in general and that of its inhabitants. Day and night, including holidays, it has been seen that the governor was engaged in going from pueblo to pueblo, if not in the pursuit of bandits, to exterminate locusts, to put through and enforce sanitary measures, hold public meetings, inform himself of the necessities of the indigent population of the barrios, and to do all of those things which promote or tend to promote the welfare of the community. And he has been obliged to make all of his trips either on foot, by banca, on horseback, in a carromata, or in sledges drawn by carabaos, and whenever he attempts to collect a small amount for traveling expenses the insular treasurer denies him that right or else places such obstacles in the way of his collecting same as to make collection impossible. The same thing happens with relation to the other employees of the provincial governor's office.

But that is not the case with the officers and employees of the provincial treasury or of the provincial supervisor's office, who, in spite of the fact that they have carriages and horses purchased by the province for their use, collect traveling expenses which they say were their actual and necessary expenses. It is enough for these accounts to emanate from the offices mentioned, no matter how exaggerated they may be, to be approved by the insular treasury.

The sum of 1,460 has been invested by the province in carriages, horses, and trappings for the use of the provincial treasurer and supervisor, aside from the amount expended for feed for the horses and wages of the drivers.

At the present time these two offices are located at Santa Ana, and cost the province 120 a month for the hire of the building. It is a usual thing to have all of the applications made by these officers to the insular treasury for an increase in the number of employees or of salaries approved. On the other hand, the applications made by the governor, however well justified and necessary they may be, are always returned by the insular treasury with the usual word, Disapproved.”

All of the best plans of his office have been defeated and met with disaster when brought to the attention of the omnipotent and sovereign power of the insular treasury. For this reason, I should like to know once for all if the treasurers are merely the guardians of the funds collected by the state for taxes, or if they are charged with the duty of investigating and prosecuting, when need be, the acts of other officials. When this point is settled the provi

sions of section 7 of act No. 83, which at present are but a myth, can be complied with.

As the offices of the provincial treasurer and of the supervisor have been transferred to the neighboring pueblo of Santa Ana, I fear that the insular treasury may yet approve the creation of several other positions in the said offices. In this connection it is well to take into account that many of the positions created up to now in the office of the provincial treasurer have not been submitted to the sanction of the provincial board as the law requires in each case, the approval of the insular treasury having been held to be sufficient.

I would not desire to lay the blame for all of this on Mr. Branagan, the insular treasurer, knowing him as I do. But the fact remains that these things have been done with or without the consent of his office. Neither can I blame the provincial treasurer of Rizal, for this official, seeing that his actions are tolerated and his wishes fulfilled to the fullest extent, will undoubtedly come to ask for the sun and moon and for all other things that can be asked for, since all of his demands are complied with gladly, favorably, and contentedly.

If it is the desire to make reforms, I would make this recommendation, which, being my own, is a poor one, but I believe, nevertheless, will give good results in practice, and that is that the provincial fiscal be allowed to intervene in matters corresponding. to the provincial boards. In view of the character of his office, the fiscal should be charged with the duty of making a monthly inspection of the books containing the records of revenues and expenditures of the provincial treasury, and should audit same acting for the government. As the fiscal is, by virtue of his office, called upon to see that the law is enforced, he should adjust the expenditures of the provincial treasury in accordance with the amount of its revenues, and he should be careful that no superfluous expenses are incurred in any branch of the provincial government, allowing such expenses as are only advisable and necessary. For this extra work he would undoubtedly be entitled to a larger salary than he now receives, but it would be preferable that he should have it rather than to have the property and interests of the community suffer detriment.

Before terminating this report I would have it known that all of the facts therein related are susceptible to the most complete proof, in case that it should be necessary, and I am sure that practical results will prove what might be held by some to be mere theory.

As for the rest, the financial situation of the province up to the present time has not been unfavorable, and it is hoped that whatever shortcomings may be apparent now my labors in the future will be successful in eliminating.

ADDITIONAL REPORT.

The province lost, as a consequence of the late flood, large crops of corn, vegetables, betel nuts, and some sugar cane.

The amount of damages suffered by this province can be estimated at some 40,000, but the same thing can not be said with regard to the damages caused in Manila.

In order to save Manila from these continual calamities a suggestion is made to the government that a canal be opened, starting at the junction of the Mariquina River and San Mateo River which shall be capable of carrying all surplus water into the Tuliahan River, which empties into the Bay of Manila, passing through Balara. Pasong-tamo, and Cruz-na-liges. It is only in this matter that Manila can hope to be freed from the continual inundations from the overflowings of the terrible Montalvan River. Any engineer who studies this plan I am sure will agree with me.

With this report some photographs are sent which depict some of the small industries carried on in this province; new schools constructed in some of the municipalities; markets, churches, a sugar refinery, navagable rivers, and other subjects that will give some idea of this province.

Having now finished my annual report. I have only to ask the honorable civil governor to pardon my delay in sending it. It has been written without any pretensions of any sort, no attempt having been made to dress it up in a literary garb, the idea being to have the naked truth shine resplendent.

In writing the same I have not been inspired by any sordid interests, but have written it with the sole idea of finding a remedy for all of the evils recited therein.

On the other hand, our fidelity to and support of the constituted government

and our efforts for some time past in its behalf will without doubt speak in our favor and our works will be appreciated at their true value. Respectfully submitted.

CIVIL GOVERNOR OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

A. DANCÉL, Provincial Governor.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF ROMBLON.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, PROVINCE OF ROMBLON,
Romblon, July 11, 1904.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith, in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 1044, the report of this province for the fiscal year 1903-4, and in connection therewith would state that I am unable to send any photographs depicting the agricultural industry of this province, as there is no photographer here. The province of Romblon is made up of seven islands, named Romblon, Sibuyan, Tablas, Carabao, Banton, Simara, and Maestre de Campo. It is bounded on the north by the islands of Marinduque, Luzon, and Burias; on the south by Panay; on the cast by Masbate, and on the west by Mindoro. It lies between 12° and 13° latitude north and between 121° and 122° longitude east of Greenwich. Its area is over 1,278 square kilometers, and the number of its inhabitants is 51,000, mostly Visayans, although there are some of the Negrito race, called Manguianes. Deep channels lie between these islands, much frequented by merchant ships plying between Manila and the southeastern part of the archipelago.

ISLAND OF ROMBLON.

This island lies 6 miles to the east of the northeastern extremity of Tablas. It is 84 miles in length by 44 miles wide. Almost the entire island is mountainous, but a small area of its extent being level. The town is situate at the foot of a great mountain at the port of the same name.

This port is one of the best in the archipelago, not only because of its form, but also because of its depth. It is in the shape of a horseshoe and has the island of Lugbun at its entrance. Both of the channels between this island and the mainland being quite deep, this fact offers a considerable advantage to vessels in coastwise trade, that find a safe haven in stress of weather in this bay, which is sheltered from all winds. The main channel is marked out by iron signal buoys, constructed in the month of February and lighted April 9 with red lights. Sabang Point, to the north of the harbor, is crowned by a beacon showing a steady white light.

There is a sea wall extending the entire front of the town, and two wooden wharves, one constructed during Spanish rule and the other nearly completed. This latter wharf was begun last May by the municipality and was constructed for the purpose of facilitating the loading and unloading of steamers and as a source of revenue for the municipality. Merchant steamers are charged #1 an hour for wharfage. The harbor has a sufficient depth to permit vessels of 3,000 tons to anchor, while ships of 1,500 tons can tie up to the wharf. ̧ One of the great advantages enjoyed by the inhabitants of Romblon is the fact that the town has a supply of pure crystalline water, obtained from a fall and piped into the town. There are two hydrants at the wharves for the supply of vessels, to which water is furnished at the rate of 0.80 per ton.

With regard to public works and services of public utility, the province has interisland steamers carrying the mails, a submarine cable, and a system of roads radiating from the capital, one of which reaches the opposite coast and is 12 feet wide. These roads were built by prestacion personal and with the aid of government rice. Interisland transportation in the province is carried on in small vessels.

The province has a government building of strong materials containing all of its offices, to wit: Office of the governor, office of the secretary, treasury, office of the fiscal, of the board of health, pest-office, and telegraph station. There is also a municipal building, a jail, and a public school, also built of strong materials.

Last May the municipality, in its constant endeavor to favor education, started an improvement of the lower floor of the school building mentioned in order to furnish sufficient room for some 800 scholars of both sexes.

These works have cost the municipality to date: For the wharf, P1,647.32 and for the school, #2,657.52.

In the pueblos of all of the islands education is flourishing, a larger number of children having attended the public schools this year than ever before, and they are all showing great progress. This was evident at the commencement exercises at the close of the school term, when the scholars demonstrated that they had made rapid strides, especially in learning English.

Work on the high school has not yet been started, on account of the lack of a vessel to transport the necessary building materials.

In the year 1903 the cholera epidemic was severe in all of the islands of the province, especially at Looc, Odiungan, Badajoz, and barrio of Santa Fe, in the island of Tablas. At Cajidiocan, a pueblo of the island of Sibuyan, and at Romblon it was not so severe. Thanks to the sanitary measures adopted by the provincial board and strictly enforced by the municipal presidents, strict quarantine was established wherever necessary.

In this same year a plague of locusts invaded the province, especially the island of Tablas, causing great damage to crops. Its extermination was carried out in the best possible manner, considering the means at hand.

ISLAND OF SIBUYAN.

This island has a length of 17 miles from northwest to southeast, and from northeast to southwest of 93 miles. It is also mountainous. In the center of the island a mountain peak named Guitinguitin rises to a considerable elevation, dominating the entire island. Sibuyan is provided with several rivers and streams, rising in the mountains, which form divers falls. There is considerable level land cultivated to rice and sugar cane. It has three pueblos; on the east coast that of Cajidiocan and on the north Magallanes and San Fernando.

The total mileage of roads in this island is 40; these roads are narrow, suitable for pack animals, and are provided with bridges; they were built with Government rice. The island is provided with good drinking water.

ISLAND OF TABLAS.

This is a long and narrow island, 35 miles in length and 10 miles wide; it is mountainous. On the southeastern coast the port and pueblo of Looc are situate; on the west coast that of Odiungan, and on the east that of Badajoz. There are several bights sheltered from the wind, and in the district of Looc there is another small port in the southern part of the island facing east; this is the barrio of Guimbirayan. Its roads were built partially by prestacion personal and partially with Government rice, and are suitable for the transportation of its agricultural products.

ISLAND OF CARABAO.

Situate between the islands of Panay and Tablas; mountainous.

ISLAND OF BANTON.

Situate to the east of island of Maestre de Campo and to the southeast of the island of Dos Hermanas. It is 4 miles in length, mountainous and craggy on the east coast, where there is a small port and the pueblo of the same name.

ISLAND OF SIMARA.

Situate between the islands of Banton and Tablas. There is a town named Corcuera.

ISLAND OF MAESTRE DE CAMPO.

Situate to the northeast of Mindoro; it is 34 miles across and very mountainous and elevated. It has a small port on the southeast coast named Concepcion.

ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRESS OF THE PROVINCE.

In accordance with the recommendations of the provincial board and a law of the Philippine Commission the number of municipalities in the province of Romblon was reduced during the last fiscal year to six. The island of Romblon

has one; Sibuyan two, San Fernando and Cajidiocan; Tablas three, Looe, Badajoz, and Odiungan.

The advantages resulting from the consolidation of the pueblos have been materially beneficial, as the revenues of the pueblos have increased to the extent that each one of them has become self-supporting, and is able to pay the salaries of its officers and employees.

A good system of transportation constantly at the disposition of the provincial board is needed to guarantee the good administration of the government of the different islands. In order to provide such a system of transportation two things must be borne in mind--firstly, the weather conditions of these waters, and, secondly, the distances between the different islands. The following statement shows the distances between the provincial capital and the several municipalities of the province :

It will be seen from this table that there are places like Corcuera, Banton, and Concepcion included within the municipal district of Romblon that are far removed from the seat of municipal government, which makes their administration difficult.

All of the pueblos are provided with their own municipal buildings, constructed of strong materials and in a good state of repair, with the exception of Looe and Odiungan, that rent private houses; these two municipalities, however, have started to put up their own buildings. The municipalities of San Fernando, Cajidiocan, and Odiungan have their own school buildings, which were constructed in the year 1902 and 1903, while Looc rents a building for this purpose.

The teachers of these schools are affable and devoted to the cause of education and intellectual progress. They are deserving of the highest praise, especially Division Superintendent Mr. G. E. Wakl, who is active and diligent in the carrying out of his high mission. They are a nucleus of expert and erudite employees. The number of children of both sexes enrolled in the day and night schools is 3,009; the average daily attendance is 2.174, 73 per cent.

The progress of the province along educational lines during this short period of time is mostly due to the indefatigable activity displayed by the upright and intelligent supervisor-treasurer, Mr. Julius S. Reis, who has often demonstrated his capacity for the high office he occupies and has merited the confidence of the entire province. It is due to his efforts, seconded by those of the provincial board, that the provincial treasury has sufficient funds on hand to meet its obligations.

The administration of the finances of the province has been carried on with the utmost care, all infractors of the law having been prosecuted and punished. Economy, formerly considered unnecessary, has been established in many things, as will be seen further on.

On September 24, 1903, the office of provincial supervisor was established by resolution of the provincial board. This resulted in a saving to the province of #2,600. On October 1 following, the appropriation for the salary of provincial fiscal was done away with and on December 9 the duties of that office were turned over to Francisco Lalaná, the fiscal of the fifteenth judicial district, who is paid out of insular funds, a saving to the province of 2,000. On April 4, 1904, the provincial board passed a resolution, acting under the provisions of Act No. 180, abolishing the office of provincial secretary and reducing the salary of the president of the provincial board of health from 1,800 to #1,200. This latter resolution is still pending approval.