The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-03

discretionary power to call out $4,000
volunteers for emergency service, and
O proposition to continue temporarily
the regular army at its present war
strength-62,O 600 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 scenes Of generous en-
thusiasm as when Mr.. Johnson of In
diana and Mr.. D0lliver of Iowa locked
horns OH the question of expansion.
The army bill. which was under de-
bate, was swallowed up in the broader
question of our future national policy,
and the debate was lifted from the
dead level Of mcdiocrity 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 OH public questions. On
such occasions he has won reputa-
ton as q master OF invective, and the
knowledge that he was to speak had
attracted an enormous crowd to the
gal:aries. He added to his reputation.
His words flowed from him in per-
feet torrent He denounced the propo-
sition to annex the Philippines as sub
versive OF every tradition dear to the
American heart in the past and the in
auguration OF Il new policy for the re-
public. He expressed qualification that
the senate would sound the death
knell OF all efforts of those who were
trying TO prevent the country from
rushing on TO suicide, and declared
that ii he We're Il senator he would rot
i'll his seat before it should be ratified.
He denounced the president as the
slavish follower Of public opinion, but
warned him that the tide would recede
ana the voice OF the people would in
time rebuke him. Members
stood in the Aislcs
ten deep while he was speaking, but he
tried to stop the applause which con-
tiuually broke out from the Demo-
cratic side. For almost two hours his
words poured forth. When he had
finished Mr.. Dolliver came TO the de-
Tense Of the administration. One of
the ablest debatcrS. and. perhaps, the
most eloquet member OF the house, his
replies set the Republicans Wild with
enthusiasm. He described how the
president had been fairly driven into
war by those who now sought to enl-
barlaSS him before peace was definite
~ obtained, and his eulo%y OF the pres
ldent patiently meeting all the per-
picking problems Which beset him as
the great events OF the year moved on
aroused his side and the galleries to
cheers. These rang out again and
again when he paid an eloquent trib-
ute to Admiral Dewey, and broke in
renewed volume when he declared that
| the course OF some members ut both
! ends OF the capitol was almost trea-
SON" But the highest pitch of excite
ment was reached when Mr.. johnson
and Mr. Dolliver were brought to close
| quarters toward the end OF the latter's
speech. Mr.. Johnson pressed the de-
| fender of the administration to de-
clare the presidents ultimate intention
regarding the Philippines. but Mr..
Dollver for some time adroitly evaded
Il direct response. At length he de-
| clared this was not the point at issue,
that the first thing was to end the war
| by ratfying the treaty. The future of
the Philippines was question for the
| future. 1t was in every respect re-
markable debate. The other speeches
were completely overshadOwed by
those OF Mr.. Dolliver and Mr.. John
| son.
In the Senate.
Only a brief time was occupied by
| the senate in open session. A few
| bills on the calendar were passed, but
no other business OF Importance was
transacted.
Washington. Jan. 27.-As the senate
| seemingly was about to conclude con-
sideraton of the pension appropria-
ton bill late yesterday afternoon Mr..
Butler, Pop. n. c.. offered his amend
ment. announced some time ago. pro-
vidins for the pensioning of eX-Con-
federate soldiers. Upon this he took
the floor and delivered Il speech which.
as he proceeded. developed into most
unexpected utterance. While his col
leagues Oh both sides of the chamber
listened with interest Mr.. Butler de-
Tended the position taken by the
South during the great Civil conflict
of a third of a century ago. He de-
clared that the South was right and
history would so record: and that
every shot fired by Southern soldier
was fired in defense of the rights of
his state conferred by the constitu-
ton, in self-defense and in defense of
his home and fireside.
Mr.. Bate OF Tennessee, himself dis
tinguished Confederate officer de-
clared that while the South believed it
was right the occasion was not OPP
perfume for the proposition which Mr..
Butler had made. and that the South
ern soldiers, as body. did not desire
pensions from the general govern
ment. and he expressed his satisfac-
ton that Mr.. Butler had withdrawn
his amendment. Earlier in the session
Mr.. Mallory of Florida delivered
constitutional argument in support of
the Vest resolution.
In the House.
The third day of the debate upon
the bill for the reorganization and in
crease of the regular army passed
without interest. Its feature was an
hours speech by Mr.. Grosvenor of
Ohio. whose utterances, rightly or
wrongly. are frequently supposed to
rof1act tha views of tho nroSif1ant Mr.