Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-20
FIFTY FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January 20
SENATE.

AShlNGIONi JdCuATy ~.
SENATE.
Mr.. Gallery offered resolution cali
ing on the President forinformation rel.
alive &c the inhabitants OF the Philip
pines, and to state how many of the
islands are under control of the United
States troops.
Mr. Allison objected and the resclu-
ton went over.
Mr.. Nelson arose to make speech
on the Vest resolution.
Mr.. Allison interrupted to say that
some decision should be reached as to
the order OF business. He did not wish
to Interfere with the Nicaragua canal
oil, but asked unanimous consent to
take the fnal vote on that measure at
3 p. H., to-day.
Mr.. Gallery objected. and then Mr..
Allison gave notice he would some time
during the afternoon move to take up
The Indian appropriation bill.
Mr.. Cafe Y denied that he was OBJ
structing and said ne was certain vote
would oe reached during the days SEES
sion.
Mr.. Nelson then commenced his
speech on the expansion question. He
| referred to the territory the United
States had already acquired, and in
sisted that very few of the people in the
annexed possessions had been consult
ed
He held that this government had
power to acquire, and that in the past
no question had ever been raised as to
the desirability of the population or
their capacity for government. He
believed we had the right to acquire
territory by conquest, treaty, purchase,
exploration or discovery.
Never before had this right been dis
puted. There was nothing in the con-
stitution to prevent acquisition, and so
far as he coull ascertain the judicial de-
cisions did not prohibit it.
Mr.. Nelson declared that England
did not enter into period of real pros
perity until she began to acquire terri
tory and establish colonies. In the old
days of Rome the English was no bet
ter than serfs, but sep by step they OBJ
tanned liberty and English commerce
now knows no bounds.
10 reply to some statements the other
Cay by Mr.. Hoar, Mr.. Nelson said the
Massachusetts Senator 10 holding up
Rome and Greece as warnings to the
United States had merely opened the
sepulchres of the past. The colonies
of England had not destroyed either
the liberty or the rights of her people.
If England had not colonized this coun.
try there would to day not exist the
great free aud independent republic of
the United States of America.
Mr.. Mason said George Washington
wiped out those colonies here. What
suited England did not suit us.
Continuing, Mr.. Nelson commended
that Canada, Australia, and New Zea-
land had just as free government as
we have. Those great colonies are not
curse to England or any other coun-
try.
were practically slaves. England got
control there, and to-day the Egyptians
are free and happy. The same was
true of British India.
Mr., White took the floor to make a
personal statement regarding the recent
instructions given the California Sena-
tors by the legislature ofthat State. He
had read at the desk the communica
ton addressed to the legislature by his
colleague, Mr.. Perkins, who asked for
instructions, aud who admitted
that he was not personally in favor
of the treaty unless amended.
He said he did not consider himself
bound BY the resolutions of republi-
can legislature or by any legislature for
that matter. He acted on his own judg-
ment, and would not vote for o
treaty that proposes to pay Spain
500 600 600 for the cesson Of the Philip
mines. He denied the right OF q
legislature to instruct Senator to vote
for thing he considered wrong. Sup
pose he added, there should be a legis-
ls,ure in California that should instruc;
Senator to vote for free trade bill IN
Congress aud that Senator should hap.
pen to be believer In protection? Mr.
White commenting further said the
legislature was elected for two years
and United States Sena orj were chosen
for six wears. He woplI use his own
Judgment, and without meaning to be
personal he believed legislatures were
elected chiefly to make State laws
They could not instruct him IN his
senatorial duties.
The Houss. bill reappointing Prof
James B. Augell, of Michigan, mem.
Der of the board of regents of the
Smithsonian Institution was passed.
Mr.. Mason introduced resolution tc
have Washington's Farewell Addres:
) read in ali the public schools of the
District of Columbia and the territories
on February %, aud requesting that il
be done also in the schools of all the
States.
MrKenney introduced o bill authors
ring the President to nominate Briga
der. General Hamilton S. Hawkins 6
maior-genersl and to retire him witt
, the rank and pay of that grade.
Two memorials were tiiej. One
came from the Methodist Eplscopa
ministers of Philadelphia representing
so 600 people, protesting against The
! proposition 80 repeal the law IN Alas
ka prohibiting the sale OF liquors II
Alaska. The clergymen declare the
this promising country should not De
turned over to the "rayages of rum, 81
| II