The record-union., 1899-02-03

Just and Generous toward tAe
Inhabitants of the Philippine
Archipelago.
WASHINGTON, Feb. PA notable
speech was made in the Senate to-day
by Spooner of Wisconsin. He took for
his text the anti-expansion resolution
offered by Vest, but discussed the ques-
ton of expansion in all of its phases,
and urged the ratification of the peace
treaty as the best means of bringing
the burning question: home to the peo-
pie themselves, who, he said, could we'll
be trusted in their sober second thought
to do that which would be fair, just
and generous toward the inhabitants OF
the Philippine archipelago. Spooner
spoke for four hours, and held the
careful attention of an unusually large
number of Senators and a large audi
ence in the galleries.
Platt of New York laid before the
Senate resolutions adopted by the Leg
islature of New York, urging the i'm
mediate ratification of the peace treaty.
In this connection Chandler of New
Hampshire called the attention of Sem
ators to similar resolutions adopted in
the Legislature of New Hampshire
Messrs. Hale, Perkins and Faulkner
were named as the committee on con-
ference for the Senate on the Consular
and diplomatic appropriation bill.
Aldrich of Rhode Island presented
number of memorials from business
mems associations of Boston. New York
and Chicago. urging that the territory
except Cuba acquired by the United
states during the late war be retained
until such time as Congress may de-
termine its final disposition"
Tillman of South Carolina offered the
following resolution, which was adopt
ed:
That the President be requested. if
not incompatible with the public inter-
est, to inform the Senate whether any
franchises or concessions of any char
acter are being or have been granted
by any municipality in Cuba or Porto
Rico since the military occupation there
or by the United States: if so. what
they are, for what length of time and
the authority by which they have been
granted
At the conclusion of the morning bus
mess, Spooner of Wisconsin addressed
the Senate upon the Vest anti-expan-
sion resolution. After a brief statement
Of his reasons for speaking at all. he
said
Il find no objections. constitutional
In nature, to the ratification of the
pending treaty The Senators from
Connecticut Platt) and Colorado (Tel-
ler) have fully presented the view I
entertain. If had the view that the
United States could not within its con-
stitutional limitations, acquire terri,
tory which was not to be erected into
States, could not give my consent to
the acquisition of the Philippines.
This Philippine proposition is one of
the fruits of the war-one of the bitter
fruits. ] can conceive of no circum-
stances under which / could give nv
consent to the admission of that archi-
pelago as State, or as more than one
State of the American Union"
Spooner then presented an argument
in contravention of Chief Justice Ia
ney's decision in the bred Scott case
Which he said was the foundation OF. all
the opposition to the acquisition of ter
ritory by this Government THAT de-
cision,' he said, ceased years ago to
be referred to as a correct interpreta-
ton of the law upon the question"
Spooner maintained that the United
States had the power as had been
shown in the Senate, to acquire terri
tory beyond our own domain, and with
that power is coupled, of course. the
collateral authority to govern that ter,
ritory. He knew, he said. of no rea-
SON why territory and the people of
territory should not be governed by
Congress, as every right to life, liberty
and property and trial by jury would
be fully safeguarded. He pointed out
that although the Territory of Alaska
did not favor self government. it's rights
and those of its people were amply
safeguarded by Congress.
Tillman, interrupting Spooner, in
quired: IF we accept the Philippines.
would the inhabitants of that territory
have the right to come without
hindrance to this country?''
Spooner-Yes: for the purpose of my
argument, 1 am disposed to admit it.
Platt of Connecticut-They have that
right now
Tillman inquired whether the inhabi-
tants of a Territory could be prevented
from entering States.
Spooner said the Senator from Con-
necticut (Platt was inclined to believe
lney COulQ Dc, Dut Ike iiitlScii oOdptSd
it.
Tillman further along pressed his
question as to the right of the Fflipinos
to come here, and declared that by adj
hitting the islands by treaty 1OOOO
people of that territory could take the
first ship for this country, and upon
arrival here could enter into competi-
ton with American labor. That was
the reason why he would vote against
the treaty
Spooner ridiculed the idea that dis
tance would affect our right to acquire
territory. Why was there no objection
to the acquisition of Porto Rico. II
there must be so much opposition to
taking the Philippines? The consent OF
Porto Ricans had not been asked
Hale made the point that there was
q very sharp difference between the
two cases. The island of Porto Rico
had been considered as an indemnity
a land of some possible value to US.
and not detriment-an ever blighting
curse and woe to us-as would be the
Philippines. 1t was not constitutional
question, but a question of policy. Did
not Spooner see the grave danger?
Responding laconically, Spooner said
he saw the danger