lands,
providing for a general system of local government into which there was
introduced for the first time the element of really popular election.
In 1900, a new code of criminal procedure, largely the work of Enoch
Herbert Crowder, at that time Military Secretary, was promulgated, which
surrounded the accused with practically all the safeguards to which the
Anglo-Saxon is accustomed except jury trial, for which the people were
unprepared.

To advise with regard to a permanent system of government for the
Philippines President McKinley appointed in January, 1899, a commission
consisting of Jacob G. Schurman, President of Cornell University, Dean
C. Worcester, who had long been engaged in scientific research in the
Philippines, Colonel Charles Denby, for many years previously minister
to China, Admiral Dewey, and General E. S. Otis. Largely upon their
recommendation, the President appointed a second commission, headed
by Judge William Howard Taft to carry on the work of organizing
civil government which had already begun under military direction and
gradually to take over the legislative power. The Military Governor was
to continue to exercise executive power. In 1901, Congress at length
took action, vesting all military, civil, and judicial powers in such
persons as the President might appoint to govern the islands.
McKinley immediately appointed Judge Taft to the new governorship thus
authorized. In 1901 in the "Insular Cases" the Supreme Court also gave
its sanction to what had been done. In legislation for the territories,
it held that Congress was not bound by all the restrictions of the
Constitution, as, for instance, that requiring jury trial; that Porto
Rico and the Philippines were neither foreign countries nor completely
parts of the United States, though Congress was at liberty to
incorporate them into the Union.

There was, however, no disposition to incorporate the Philippines into
the United States, but there has always been a widespread sentiment
that the islands should ultimately be given their independence, and
this sentiment has largely governed the American attitude toward them.
A native Legislature was established in 1907 under Governor Taft, * and
under the Wilson Administration the process toward independence has
been accelerated, and dates begin to be considered. The process of
preparation for independence has been threefold: the development of the
physical well-being of the islands, the educat