May 7, 1899: First Philippine local elections under the American occupation.

On May 7, 1899, local elections were held for provincial and municipal posts throughout the Philippine Archipelago. The first local elections under the American occupation were held in Baliuag, Bulacan, supervised by US General Henry W. Lawton.

Maj. Gen. Henry W. Lawton and staff resting at his headquarters in Baliuag, Bulacan Province, May 1899.

On May 6, he gave verbal permission to the residents of Baliuag to hold a meeting in the plaza, for the purpose of electing a Capitan Municipal, or mayor, to administer the civil affairs of the town and represent its interest in connection with the American forces occupying it. The result of this election was announced in the following orders, which were published in English, Spanish, and Tagalog:

Baliuag election order May 7 1899

This was the first election held in the Philippines under American supervision.

                                      On May 6, 1899 Lawton  gave verbal permission to the residents of Baliuag to hold                                     a meeting in the plaza in front of the Church of San Agustin and plaza at Baliuag

Church at Baliuag used for quarters by Lawton's expedition. Photo taken in May 1899.

Gen. Lawton (March 17, 1843 - December 19, 1899) was the son of George W. Lawton of Maumee, Ohio.  He was a highly respected United State Army General who served with distinction in the Spanish- American war, however, records revealed that he was the only US general officer who was killed during the Philippine -American War.

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