CHAPTER VI

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CAUSES OF TAGAL REVOLT.

Corrupt officials--"Laws of the Indies"--Philippines a dependency of Mexico up to 1800--The opening of the Suez Canal--Hordes of useless officials--The Asimilistas--Discontent, but no disturbance--Absence of crime--Natives petition for the expulsion of the Friars--Many signatories of the petition punished.

The Spanish Colonial system was based upon the simple and well-recognised principle of rewarding political services to the Government in power, by the pillage of a colony.

Sometimes special circumstances rendered it necessary for the Government to send out the man best fitted to cope with a critical situation, but in normal times the good old corrupt plan was followed.

The appointment of a Governor-General would be arranged by the Prime Minister and submitted for the approval of the monarch. The Colonial Minister, like the other subordinate ministers, counted for little in a Cabinet presided over by such commanding personalities as Canovas, or Sagasta. They were, in fact, mere heads of departments.

In another