- Author:
- Lala, Ramon Reyes
- Publication Info:
-
New York:
Continental publishing company,
1899,
pg 61
Text on page 61
The Spanish Colonial Government.
6 7
the next Governor may be averse to exertion; or may be at variance with his policy.
Most of the Governors live in good style ; as a rule they spend about two hours a day in Government employ. Is it to be wondered at, then, that this office is so eagerly sought after in Spain ?
There are about 750 towns in the colony ; each governed by a Gobernadorcillo, " Little Governor," called Capitan ; usually a native or half-caste. This office is elected every two years, and is to the Provincial Governor what the latter is to the Governor-General. He is the tax-collector of his district, and is, furthermore, responsible for the amount apportioned to his district. If he fails to collect this, he must make the deficit good out of his own pocket. Under him are a number of deputies, called Cabezas, each likewise responsible for another division of the population called a Barangay,aa collection of forty or fifty families. If the individuals of this group are unable to pay, the property is distrained and sold by the deputy, who wrould otherwise have to make good the amount himself. If the proceeds of the sale fail to equal the indebtedness of the delinquent, he is cast into prison.
I have often seen respectable men deported to the penal settlements ; and for no other offense than inability to pay the oppressive tax laid upon their shoulders, regardless of the season, awhether productive or not. Their families, meanwhile, left without a head, were thrown into the most woeful destitution.I have often seen respectable men deported to the penal settlements ; and for no other offense than inability to pay the oppressive tax laid upon their shoulders, regardless of the season, a whether productive or not. Their families, meanwhile, left without a head, were thrown into the most woeful destitution.
