AMERICAN colonial rule in Negros followed the same pattern of conservatism in the country and changes were introduced at a generally gradual pace.
By initially providing for high voting qualifications in the local elections, the masses were discouraged from the right to vote. Nationwide policies were carried out including the separation of the church in government affairs, placement of revenue collections outside the clergy, introduction of secular public education including principles of democratic self-government, strengthening of efficiency in the government as well as public works, health and communications, expansion of the economy, protection of civil rights, adoption of a new land title system and other American political practices.
The early years of the US rules were particularly crucial for the sugar industry. In 1905, a US official reported to the Secretary of Agriculture who agreed that the more serious agricultural problems were: lack of transportation facilities, poor road conditions, locust infestations, lack of work animals and credit facilities, shortage of laborers and various market barriers in the sugar industry.
The brighter side of the sociopolitical situation in Negros in the 1900s included the better condition of education, improvements in peace and order, health and sanitation and other social services. Special attention was given to the training of native teachers in English and methods of teaching, music and arithmetic for various classes.
The summer classes were well attended and enabled local teachers to work well with American mentors. The peace and order situation in the province was enjoying relative tranquility despite the shortage of better organized police forces in the municipalities. There were also marked improvements in public health and sanitation. Regular vaccination against common diseases was sustained.
In other services, there were more post offices and postal savings banks in 1908. Ferryboats had been built in three major rivers, and transportation between Negros and Manila regularly brought passengers and newspapers back and forth including also distribution in Panay. Telegraph lines were also being connected north and south of Negros. In the political arena, elections for delegates to the first Philippine Assembly were held in Negros on January 30, 1907 and elected Assemblymen were Antonio Jayme, DionisioMapa, Agustin Montilla and Leopoldo Rovira.
Also a major benefit to the Negrense sugar farmer was the passage on August 5, 1909 of the Payne – Aldrich Act which allowed the Philippine sugar not exceeding three hundred thousand long tons to be admitted free of duty to the US annually.
In 1941 the San Carlos planters realized their dream of bringing in US capital through the construction of the San Carlos Milling Company. Aside from the smaller mills, modernization would replace the small mills with the larger ones. These periods were however interrupted by different eras when the industry had to cope with internal and external social, economic, political and other challenges until the 20th century.
The situation in Negros was interrupted, however, by the Japanese invasion in World War II from 1941 to 1945. Nevertheless, many government and private structures were modeled on American architecture including notably the new Provincial Capitol in Negros Occidental which started in 1927 and completed in 1933.
The major US autonomy initiatives included more Filipinos becoming officers in the Negros positions, including new governors and mayors.
Notable Filipinos in the national government included Ph. Pardo de Tavera, Benito Legarda Sr., Rafael Palma and Negrenses Gregorio Araneta and Jose Luzuriaga. Sergio Osmeña was elected speaker of the Philippine Commonwealth and Manuel L. Quezon was sent to the US Congress to campaign for independence for the Philippines.
We will enumerate various laws enacted during the Philippine Commonwealth starting with the following: Philippine Bill of 1902; Jones Law in 1916; TydingsMcDuffy Law on March 24, 1934 and finally the birth of Philippine Commonwealth on November 15, 1935 at the Luneta in Manila. The following election was won by Manuel L. Quezon as President and Sergio Osmeña as vice president.