The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-13

pendage of monarchy. At can exist in
no free country. because it uproots and
eliminates the basis of all Republican
institutions-tha governments derive
their Just powers from the consent of
the governed.
Il know not what may be done, with
the glamour of foreign conquest and
greed of the money making classes of this
country. For myself. / would rather quit
public life this minuttA-nay. / would be
willing to yield life itself-rather than
give my consent to this fantastic and
wicked attempt to revolutionize our Gov
ernment and to substitute the principles
of our hereditary enemy for the tea CHI
mgs of Washington and his associates" !"
NJ. PHI #. HoI ne icut) in expressing
thn hop that Mr.. Vest would not ask
for immediate action upon his resolution,
said he desired to offer some remarks
upon it, but was not prepared to do
SO to-day. He did not he said. ac-
guesce in the law rs stated by the Mis-
souri, Senator. He believed that the
power to acquire territory was inherenl
in the nation and was not subject to linn
it3tion. In the remarks he proposed to
submit he would endeavor TO establish
this belief He thought it perfectly eyi-
dent that if the United States, in fight
ing war, came into possession of terri
tory. the progress of its army and navy
could not be stopped until the constituted
authorities should declare whether it
was the purpose of the Government to
hold the acquired territory with the ulti-
male intention of comforting statehood
upon is inhabitants.
In response to an inquiry by Mr.. Hoar.
Mr.. Platt declared that the power of
the Government territory was full ana
plenary.
To this proposition, unless it We're
accompanied by declarations as to the
purpose of the Government with re-
spect to the territory acquired, which
purpose should be within the power of
the Constitution to confer, Mr.. Hoar said
he desired to enter his emphatic dis
sent.
Mr.. Morgan opened the debate
on the Canal Bill with three-hour ap-
peal for action at this session. The
whole country. he said. would be disap-
pointed if Congress did not act. He was
willing to take any measure which woUld
result in the building of the canal.
a question was raised as to the Ian
guage of the bill guaranteeing to the neu
trality of the canal in case the United
States were at war with a country. Mr..
Morgan said that the language of the
bill specifically excepted such case.
Mr.. Hoar suggested that the clause re-
lating TO the neutrality of the canal
should be amended so as to read:
Except as to nations at war with
the United States"
Mr.. Morgan said he would accept the
amendment No Senator should vote
against the bill on this account.
During the day Mr. Hoar tMassachu-
satts and Mr.. Hale (Mainel presented
resolutions of citizens of their States
demonstrating against the extension of
American sovereignty over the Philip
pine Islands and against the acquisition
of foreign territory without the consent
o the people of such territory. The res
alrtions were referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Pettigrew introduced n bill au-
thorizing A. A. Bartlett to raise the bat
tleship Maine and transport it to the
United States.
The Senate at $40 p. III. adjourned.
The House spent the larger part of the
dav on District of Columbia affairs The
bill to relieve the condition of American
seamen was taken up, but nothing was
accomplished.
Mr.. PAYNE Rep. of New York; ex-
planned that the bill would do away with
some of the evils of the allotment system
mder which seamen have been defrauded
of their earnings; the punishment of
sailors by imprisonment is greatly les
sened; masters are required to shin with
full complement of men; the food which
the men are to receive is stated. and
punishment by iogging is abolished.
AT 4:15 it was suggested that no QUO
rum was present and on motion of Mr..
Payne the House adjourned.