The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-17
SENATE.

Washington, January IA resolu-
ton of more than ordinary significance
and Importance was introduced in the
senate today by Senator Hoar, of
Massachusetts, 1t is as follows:
Resolved, That the people of the
Philippine islands of right ought to be
free and independent; that they are
absolved from all allegiance to the
Spanish crown, and that all political
connection between them and Spain Is
and ought to be totally dissolved, and
that they have, therefore, full power
to do all acts and things which inde-
pendent states may of right do; that
it is their right to institute new gov
ernment for themselves, laying its
foundation on such principles and or
ganiZing its powers in such form as
to them shall seem most likely to eff
feet their safety and happiness, and
that with these rights the people Of the
United States do not propose to inter-
fere.''
Il should like to have in adopted i'm
mediately," said Senator Hoar.
Il object" said Senator Davis, of
Minnesota, chairman of the foreign re-
lations committee, and the resolution
went over.
The resolution of Senator Allen for
the appointment of committee of five
senators to investigate the conduct of
the late war was laid before the SEN
ate and Senator Allen took the floor in
advocacy of it.
Senator Allen said he had no desire
to embarrass the president, but so
many complaints had been made by
the press and individuals of the con-
duct of the war that he thought it
time for a rigid and impartial investi-
cation of the war to be made. He had,
q c0nfi6QncQ AiOpr a.
lief commission, which was now con-
ducting an investigation of the war.
He was satisfied that no truthful or
practical results would accrue from
that investigation. He criticised the
sending of troops to Chickamauga,
where they were faced by sickness and
death. He intimated that the troops
of the west were sent to Chickamauga
for the benefit of transportation COM
panies. He declared that there had
been gross Irregularities in the handling
Of the commissary and other supplies.
He said it had been charged that the
supplies were in many cases unfit for
use. He was satisfied the charges were
true. If the troops had been furnished
''embalmed beef" the people and the
world had a right to know it. He re-
peated that he had no confidence in the
report that the4 investigation commits
sion would make.
Interrupting Senator Allen, Senator
Spooner, of Wisconsin, criticised him
for his anticipation of an unfair and
partial report from the commission
and suggested that he might better
wait until the report was presented be-
fore he attacked it.
At this point a message was receiv-
From the house, announcing the
adoption Of resolutions on the death
Of Representative Dingley.
Fitting resolutions of respect to the
memory of Mr.. Dingley were adopted
and Senator Hale, of Maine, then
delivered a brief eulogy on the dis
tinguished statesman, moving that the
senate adjourn.
The senate then at 12:43 O'Clock p m.
adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house of representatives assem-
bled today under circumstances of deep
and universal sorrow in the death Of
Representative Nelson Ding1ey, of
| Maine AS Speaker Reed entered the
| as they arose and with bowed heads
! listened to the eloquent tribute from
! the chaplain, Rev. DR.. Couden.
Mr.. Boutelle, the senior member OF
| the Maine delegation, was then recog-
! nized for brief and feeling announce
| ment of the demise of his colleague.
| Mr.. Boutelle then offered a resolu-
| ton providing that the funeral SER
| vices be held in the hall Of the house
! of representatives at noon Monday an6
that a committee of nine members OF
| the house be appointed to attend the
| funeral at Lewiston, Me.
| The speaker announced the commit
| tee under the resolutions and at 1920
| O'Clock p M, as a further mark OF
| respect, the house adjourned unit
| Monday, when the funeral services viii
| occur.