The Portland daily press., 1899-01-28
SPEECH FROM PLATT.
New York Senator Discusses Ex.
pansiOn.
TAKES STRONG GROUNDS FOR
RATIFICATION OF TREATY.

Address Was n Thoughtful and Well
Considered statement aud Was Ao-
| corded Undivided Attention
| Another Resolution Offered ON the
| Question.
| Washington, January a7.-Particular
interest was manifested In the Senate to-
dny In brief speech delivered by Senator
Platt Of New York on the general subject
Of expansion.
| MIR. Platt took for his text the anti ex-
pansion resolution offered by Mr.. Vest of
Missouri but In the course Of his speech
merely touched upon the constitutional
questions involved In the proposed decla-
ration. He spoke in IL clear, resonant
voice, and not only because this was the
first speech he. had delivered in the Senate
since his return to that body, but also be-
cause the address was thoughtful and
we'll considered statement, he was nc :
corded the undivided attention of his col
leagues on the floor and q large audiencs
In the galleries. pleasing though quiet
vein OF humor ran through the speech,
sharply pointing his statements. He took
strong ground for the ratification of the
pending treaty of peace. A resolution
was offered by MIR. Sullivan of Mississippi,
declaring that the ratification OF the
treaty should not commit the government
to a colonial policy. The pension appro-
1 nvi hill ba %
appropriation measure was passed after
| some debate.
| Washington, January 27.-Mr. Hoar OF
Massachusetts, at tho opening of today S
session Of the Senate presented the resolu-
tions adopted at meeting Of certain citi
zsns of Philadelphia protesting against
any aggressive action on the part of the
government in the Philippines.
MIR. Spooner of Wisconsin gave notice
that he would on Wednesday next address
| the Senate on the various resolutions re-
| speoting expansion; and MIR. Rawlins of
/ Utah, gave alike notice for Thursday
nous consent for vote on his resolution
declaring it to be the policy of the United
States not to attempt TO govern the people
of any other nation, next Friday at one
: c'-'art M. Carter of Montana objected.
| A like request was made by Mr.. Hoar
with respect to this resolution declaring
that the Filipinos ought to be free and
| inde pendent. MIR. Carter again entered
an objection expressing at the same time
his regret at what he regarded as his duty
| In entering the objection.
Mr.. Carter understood, he said that the
| resolutions pending in The Senate on the
| expansion question had been presented as
text upon which Senators would base re-
marks. He thought it proper that the
several resolutions lie Oh the table until
| late in the session in order that all who
| desired might yet submit remarks upon
4 them. Showing evidence of annoyance,
| MIR. Hoar rose and said: ~ desire TO give
| notice that II We are not TO have "a vote on
the question presented by this resolution,
l will keep my resolut tion or that OF the
| Senator from Illinois (Masou) before the
Senate during every morning hour until
| we obtain vote upon them.
MIR. Gallinger of New Hampshire, in
| timated that Mr. Hoar would encounter
| some difficulty in carrying out his plan to
keep the resolution before the Senate.
| Mr.. Carter said he viewed with regret the
/
| The following resolution was offersd by
Mr. Sullivan of Mississippi who asked that
1t lie on the table:
| That the ratification of the pending
treaty with Spain shall nowise determine
the policy to be pursued by the United
| States in regard TO the Philippines nor
shall it commit this government to d
colonial policy; nor is 1t intended to en-
barrass the establishment of a stable and
| independent COVER nment by the people OF
| those islands whenever conditions make
such pro ceeding hopeful of successful and
desirable results
After the parliamentary sparring, MIR.
Mason obtained the floor and spoke briefly
| in advocacy of Il vote on his expansion
resolution. "If l cannot get vote on my
re soIution," he said, II shall consider
myself most unfairly treated"
| MIR. Platt of New York, was recognized
| for his announced speech bearing upon
| the several expansion resolutions which
| had been introduced.
II suppose l may be permitted to enjoy
the same latitude of discussion and some
| liberty Of expression which have distin-
| guished the remarks of other Senators
during this debate. 1t scarcely possible
| to talk TO the resolution OF the Senator
| from Missouri without saying something
| concerning the treaty. which Is being con
sidered in executive session. Indeed the
resolution may almost be looked upon as
an amendment to the treaty. Ii the reso-
luton were to pass and the treaty were
| then to be ratified, the resolution would
be nothing less than definition Of what
the treaty must be understood to mean
And, In voting against the resolution
which will be my course when the occa-
| sion arises, l desire to be understood as
voting against any Limitation upon the
| terms of the treaty.
There has never been absent from the
floor of the Senate that class of intellect
which has found in the constitution its
warrant for opposing new things. 1t has
always been a superior class of intellect,
without doubt.earnest..tnd sincere, but not
always to be appreciated by the ordinary
mind. that believes in iinding practical