Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-02-02
WORK OF CONGRESS

Washington. Jan. 24.-Discussion OF
the policy of expansion occupied near
ly all the time Of the senate in open
session yesterday. Mr.. White or Call
fornia, one of the Democrats who haS
announced heretofore his opposition 10
ratification of the treaty of peace, adj
dressed the senate in support OF the
anti-eXpansion resolution introduced
by Mr.. Vest and another resolution of
fered by Mr.. Bacon declaring that the
Philippines ought TO be free and indie
pendent. Mr.. White is n brilliant
speaker, and he was complimented by
his colleagues and a large audience IN
the galleries with careful attention. He
did not enter into a discussion or eX-
pansion as a policy of this govern
ment. He maintained that such 4 pol
icy was contrary 10 its history and ira
ditions. He declared his opposition to
the ratification of the pending treaty
of peace, but broadly intimated that
a declaration of definite policy on the
part of the administration woull very
much simplify the situation, and, as
a matter OF good faith ought not to be
~antagoniZed by the advocates OF the
treaty's ratification.
In the House.
1t was District of Columbia day in
the house and the major portion of the
day was devoted TO local legislation.
The only action of public opinion was
the passage of the bill to extend the
navigation laws Of the United States
TO the Hawaiian islands. One of the
provisions of the bill grants American
register to all vessels flying the Ha-
waiian flag owned by Hawaiian citi-
gems July Z, 1898.
Washington. Jan. %. - Two notable
speeches were delivered in the senate,
one by Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts
and the other by Mr.. Clay of Georgia.
While the senators differed diamet-
really as to the policy of expansion,
upon which they dYelt, both are in ia
o Of the immediate ratification OF the
pending peace treaty. They contend
that nee the treaty is ratified congress
will have full power to deal with con-
ditions respecting the territory ac-
CURED during the war with Spain, and
not before. Mr.. Lodge particularly
argued for a formal declaration OF
peace, which could be had only on the
ratification of the treaty. That ac-
compiished, he was willing to trust the
American congress and the American
people to deal fairly, justly and patri-
otically with the Philippine islands,
with full regard TO the principles OF
our own government as set forth in the
constitution and the declaration Of in
dependence. Mr.. Clay was inclined to
the belief that it might be desirable for
congress to make a declaration Of In
tention regarding the Philippines be-
fore the treaty was ratified. He
strongly opposed expansion practically
on the ground that it would necessitate
the maintenance of an expensive
standing army.
The House.
The debate on the army r~eorganiza-
ton bill opened in the house under an
agreement by which the general de-
bate is to run fifteen hours exclusive Of
three night sessions, the final vote to
JIG Nihth IOL ldttl lldn % " ClOGh ntAt
Tuesday. Practically three PROPOSE
tons are before the house. The house
bill providing for a standing army or
100000 men, the minority substitute,
increasing the standing army to 10000
men ard lodging with the president
discretionary power to call out $4,000
volunteers for emergency service. and
a proposition to continue temporarily
the regular army at its present war
strength-62,00 900 men.
Washington, Jan. 26.-Not since the
stirring days before the declaration
of war last spring has the house wit
messed such an exhibition of excite
ment and such scores of generous en-
thusiasm as when Mr.. Johnson OF In
diana and Mr.. Dolliver OF Iowa locked
horns on the question OF expansion.
The army bill, which was under de-
bate, was swallowed up in the broader
question Of II future national policy,
and the debate was lifted from the
dead level Of mediocrity into absolute
brilliancy. Mr.. Johnson secured time
from the Democratic side to attack the
position of the administration. 1t was
not the first time he has broken away
from his party on public questions. On
such occasions he has won a reputa-
ton as a master OF ~invective, and the
knowledge that he was TO speak had
attracted an enormous crowd to the
galleries. He added TO his reputation.
His words flowed from him in a per-
feet torrent. He denounced the prop0-
sition to annex the Philippines as sub
yersive OF every tradition dear TO the
American heart in the past and the in
%auguration OF a new policy for the re-
public. He expressed qualification that
the senate would sound the death
kneli OF all efforts of those who were
trying TO prevent the country from
rushing on to suicide, and declared
that If he were a senator he would rot
in his seat before 1t should be ratified.
He denounced the president as the
slavish follower OF public opinion, but
warned him that the tide would recede
and the voice Of the people would In
time rebuke him. Members
stood In the AisIes
ten deep while he was speaking, but he
tried TO stop the applause which con-
tinually broke out from the Demo-
cratic side. For almost two hours his
words poured forth. When he had
finished MI. Dolliver came to the de-
Tense of the administration. One OF
the ablest debaters, and, perhaps, the
most eloquet member Of the house. his
replies set the Republicans wild with
enthusiasm. He described how the