The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-21

Washington, Dec 2O.-At the open
ing of the session of the house today.
Mr.. Cannon called up the conference
report on the army and navy deficiency
bill, and moved its adoption.
Mr. De Almond Dem, MOI. asked
whether the reappropriation of the bal
ance of the 100000 to be extended
under the direction OF the president
would in any way sanction or author
ize the payment out of that fund of
100000 each to Whitelaw Reid and
Judge Day for services as peace COM
missioners.
Mr. Cannon said he knew nothing
about it, and on his statement that this
reappropriation made no change au-
thorizing such an expenditure, the re-
port was adopted.
Apropos of the fact that this was the
last conference report to be signed by
Mr.. Sayers of Texas, who retires from
congress to become governor of his
state. Mr.. Cannon. chairman of the
committee. paid a high tribute to his
long and faithful service on the appro-
priatiOns committee. The members
vigorously applauded Mr.. Cannon's ex-
pressionS.
Mr. Dockery. Dem., MOI also paid a
The house then went into committee
of the whole on the agricultural bill.
Mr.. Wadsworth (Rep., n. " eX-
planned that it carried $3.696,922, an in
crease of $lS7, 120 over the current law.
TI-EXPANSION SPEECH.
Mr.. Williams Oem., Miss.) took adj
vantage Of the latitude allowed in de-
bate while in committee of the whole
70
nexation. of the Philippines. Physically,
he said, the islands would prove a great
disappointment. They were thickly
populated with peoples of heterogene-
Gus races. They could never afford
home or opportunity Cor American citi-
zens. In the annexation of territory of
the past. the area annexed had been
always conterminouS, except in the case
OF Alaska, and we had, in each case,
increased our population and our power
of national defense. These had been
the tests in the past. The PHILIPPINES
fulfilled none of these tests. In the
case of Cuba, il Cuba should be willing
in the future to throw her lot with US,
the case would be different. SiXty-siX
per cent of Cuba's population was eau
casian, a fact not generally known. Her
people could easily be assimilated. Cuba
was practically contiguous. She lay
influence.
I'VE want no unwilling subjects, :"
said Mr.. Williams I'VE want no oppor-
tunity for the exercise of tyrannX~The
south is especially hostile to the alb
sorption of a great population alien in
race. blood and color and customs
HAUL DOWN THE FLAG
81 should leave the islands where they
&C oil ions
victory at Manila. 1 should haul down
the American flag. 1 am for the flag
for what it means, not for itself. It IS
nothing but a piece of bunting, and
when some one announces that it must
not come down. care not how high his
station, he says something unworthy
of himself and his country. The flag
should come down if it is right that it
should do so, and the American people
must pull it down. We would not let
any other country do it." (Prolonged
applause on Democratic side.)
Proceeding, Mr.. Williams argued that
if the Philippines could not take care
of themselves, they would fall under
the influence of France or Germany.
Our interest in them was the CONNER
cial interest. We had in the east gen
orally an interest in an open door,
policy If any other country got pos
do worse than Spain did. In any event.
out trade with the Philippines was a
mere drop in the bucket. and if We re-,
tanned possession of them we would
sacrifice the open door policy in the
Orient, or go back on the constitution.
There was still another solution of the
problem. Mr.. Williams said if we did
not want to give the islands their in
dependence, or let them fall under the
sway of another country, we could sell
them as a war indemnity to England.
She would bring to them civilization.
No further time was occupied in gen
eral debate, and the bill was read for
amendment under the five-minute rule.
The provision inserted in the bill to
be used as means of retaliating
against Germany and other countries
was passed with slight amendment,
which gives the secretary of the treas
ury discretion in refusing the delivery
of goods adulterated, instead of making
refusal to deliver such goods manda-
tory.
The bill was passed without further
amendment.
At o'clock the house adjourned.