The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-26
STIRRING DEBATE
In the House of Representatives on
Expansion Between Congressman
Uof1ivrr and johnson,

expansion Between congressman
DoIlivcr and johnson.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 20 Not since
tae stirring days before the declaration
OF war last spring has the house Wit
messed such an exhibition OF excitement
and such scenes OF unbounded enthu-
siasm as occurred to-day when the two
Republicans. Mr.. johnson, the Indiana
member, and Mr.. Dollircr, OF Iowa,
locked horns on the question OF expar-
sion. The army bill which was under
debate. was swallowed up in the broad
er question OF our future national pol
icy and the debate was lifted from the
dead level OF medlocr!ty into absolute
brill!ancy.
Mr.. Johnson secured time from the
Democratic side 10 attack the position
OF the administration. 1t was not the
first time lie has broken away from his
party on public questions. On past oc-
cas!ons he has won a reputation as Il
master OF Inrective and the Knowledge
that he was to speak had attracted an
enormous crowd TO the galleries. To-
day he added 10 his reputation, With
satire. irony and-with the keen thrusts
his logic was driven home. His words
flowed from him in perfect torrent.
He denounced the proposition TO annex
the Philippines rs subversive OF every
tradition dear to the American heart
In the past. and the Inauguration OF
policy that would end in the downfall
of the republic. He said the ratification
OF the treaty by the senate would sound
the death knell Of ali the efforts OF those
who were trying 10 prevent the country
from rushing on 10 suicide, and declared
II he was senator he would rot IN his,
seat before it should be ratified. He
denounced the President as the slnvish
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 aisle ten
deep while he was speaking. For al
most two hours his words poured forth.
When he had finished Mr.. bolivar
came to the rescue OF the adm!nlstra-
ton. One Of the ablest debatCrs and
perhaps the most eloquent member OF
the house, his reply set the Republicans
wild with enthusiasm. He described
how the President had been fairly
driven into war bF those who now
sought to embar-ass him before peace
was definitely obtained. and his eulosy
1f the President patlnetlF meeting all
the perpleXing problems which beset
him as the great events OF the last
year moved on, aroused his side and
the galleries 10 cheers. These rang out
again and again when he paid an elo-
quaint tribute to Admiral Dewey, and
broke in renewed volume when he de-
clared that the course % some members
at both ends OF the capitol was al
most treason" But TIE hlghes. pitch
OK excitement, was reached when Mr..
Johnson and Mc Dollirety got 10 close
quarters toward the end OF the latter's
Speech
Mr Johnson pressed the defender os
the administration TO disclose the Pres
dents ultimate purpose regarding the
Philippines. but Mr.. Dollver for some
time adrol;l.. evaded q direct response.
At last he contentei himself with de-
clarlng that this was not the point at
Issue: that III" first thing was 10 end The
war by rat!fyirE the treaty. The future
OF the Philippine. was Il question OF
TIE future. Ii was In every respect a
remarkable debate. The other speeches
to-day were completely overshadowed
by those OF Mr.. Johnson and Mr.. Dolli-