Organic act and Jones Law

Summary

The Philippine Organic Act of 1902, proposed by U.S. Representative Henry A. Cooper, shifted the governance of the Philippines from military to civil rule, establishing key government structures and land regulations. This act aimed to provide for Filipino citizenship, civil rights, and agricultural development, while maintaining U.S. control over certain areas like natural resources. In 1916, the Jones Law replaced the Organic Act, granting greater autonomy to the Philippines and setting the stage for future independence. This transition reflected changing attitudes toward Philippine governance and the growing desire for self-rule.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Cooper Act of 1902 was proposed by U.S. Representative Henry A. Cooper to provide a civil government for the Philippines, aiming to replace military rule.
• 😀 The Act established the creation of a Philippine Commission, civil governor, and four government departments, outlining the governance structure for the islands.
• 😀 It gave the President of the U.S. authority to control commercial activities, taxes, and other governance-related aspects of the Philippines.
• 😀 The Act recognized all inhabitants of the Philippines as Filipino citizens, unless they still swore allegiance to Spain.
• 😀 It introduced the Bill of Rights to protect citizens from arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty, and property, ensuring equal protection under the law.
• 😀 The Act allowed for a census of the population once insurrection ended, followed by the creation of an assembly with regional representatives.
• 😀 The Philippine government could appoint delegates to represent the islands in the U.S. Congress after holding an assembly.
• 😀 The U.S. government maintained the right to review decisions made by the Philippine Supreme Court, especially in cases affecting U.S. interests or involving substantial sums of money.
• 😀 The Act included provisions for land reforms, such as the classification of lands and the sale of lands to Filipinos under certain conditions.
• 😀 The Act included numerous regulations on natural resource conservation, including timber, water, and mining rights, to ensure sustainable use of the Philippines' resources.
• 😀 The Philippine Organic Act of 1902 was eventually replaced by the Jones Law in 1916, reflecting the U.S.'s evolving stance on Philippine independence and governance.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of the Cooper Act of 1902?

The main purpose of the Cooper Act, also known as the Organic Act of 1902, was to establish a civil government in the Philippines under American administration, transitioning from military rule to a more structured civil governance system.

Who proposed the Cooper Act, and what was his background?

The Cooper Act was proposed by Henry A. Cooper, a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin, who suggested a civil approach to governing the Philippines rather than the ongoing militaristic control.

What significant administrative changes did the Cooper Act implement in the Philippines?

The Cooper Act created the positions of a civil governor and vice governor, established several executive departments, and set the structure for the Philippine Commission. It also granted the U.S. President the power to regulate commercial activities and enforce laws.

What was the role of the U.S. President in the Philippines under the Cooper Act?

The U.S. President had significant control, including appointing the civil governor and vice governor, overseeing tax collection, controlling commercial activities, and having jurisdiction over the Philippine Supreme Court.

What provisions were made for Filipino citizenship in the Cooper Act?

The Cooper Act recognized all inhabitants of the Philippine Islands as Filipino citizens, unless they continued to swear allegiance to the Spanish monarchy.

What did the Cooper Act say about the rights of Filipinos in terms of life, liberty, and property?

The Cooper Act ensured that no person in the Philippines could be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law and guaranteed equal protection under the laws.

How did the Cooper Act address the issue of land ownership in the Philippines?

The Cooper Act allowed the Philippine government to classify and sell land, with conditions such as land not exceeding 16 hectares per individual. It also allowed for land claims by natives under certain conditions.

What were some key environmental regulations introduced by the Cooper Act?

The Cooper Act introduced regulations to protect natural resources, such as timber and water supplies. It required U.S. approval for timber removal and specified rules for the conservation of agricultural and forestry lands.

How did the Cooper Act affect the judicial system in the Philippines?

The Cooper Act established the Philippine Supreme Court and other courts, with the U.S. President appointing the chief justice and justices. The U.S. Congress had the power to review and interfere in the decisions of these courts under certain conditions.

What was the significance of the census conducted in 1905 in relation to the Cooper Act?

The census conducted in 1905 was a crucial step in the implementation of the Cooper Act, as it led to the formation of the Philippine Assembly, which was essential for the transition to a more autonomous government.