Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-12-07
SIBLEY A FREE LANCE.
Favors Mckinley's Policy and VIII

not Stick to Democratic Doctrine.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Representa-
tive Joseph Sibley, of the twenty
seventh Pennsylvania district, who
was elected to Congress last year over
Hon. Charles w. Stone, Republican,
has arrived in Washington with his
family for the winter. In conversation
with representative of the Leader to-
day Mr.. Sibley intimated very strong
ly that he was no longer in strict ac-
cord with the Democratic party in all
issues, and intended to vote as his con-
science dictates on questions of vital in
terest to thelcountry's welfare regard
Jess of past or present political aff1lia-
tions.
Mr.. Sibley will caucus with the Dem
ocratic party on the question of select
ing candidates for the empty honor of
speaker, clerk, door-keeper and SER
geant-at-arms, of the house. He will
not be bound to any political policy the
caucus may adopt, however, and will
act independently on all questions
which may come up in the house.
81 have no political ambition and
am free to act as my conscience die
tates," he said.
Mr.. Sibley will support Representa-
tive Sulzer, of New York for the Demo-
critic nomination for speaker
1t will be recalled that Mr.. Sibley
was the original free silver man in the
Pennsylvania delegation in the Fifty
third Congress, and created sensa-
ton in the House by his speech against
the repeal of the Sherman purchasing
act of the extra session of that Con-
nress. When Bryan was nominated
for President at Chicago in 1896, Mr..
Sibley was offered the vice presidential
nomination, but declined it,
"Will you support the adminstra-
ton in its colonial policy regarding
Cuba and the Philippines" Mr.. Sibley
was asked.
"Most assuredly. Every person
who has the welfare of his country at
heart ought to stand by President Nc
Kinley until the war in the Philippines
is over and also support him in his
policy of territorial expansion. Why,
SIR" said Mr.. Sibley, with some en-
phasis, eff President Mckinley should
adopt any other policy in the future
than he has been pursuing since the
beginning of the war with Spain, he
would go down in history the most
generally condemned President this
country ever had. What would have
happened to President Thomas Jeffer-
son had he listened to the clamor
against the policy to purchase Louis
lana? Would he to-day be still living
in the hearts of his countrymen? l
answer no. 1t was the best thing
that ever happened this country that
Mr.. Jefferson took the bold stand he
did on the Louisiana question"
''Then you think President McKin.
ley's territorial policy ought to be sus-
tanned ?'
81 certainly do and if the opportu,
nifty offers l will make speech on the
floor of the houss in support of his ex-
pansion policy" replied Mr.. Sibley.
''Then you are not in favor of giving
independence to the Cubans and Fill
ippinos?
II am not prepated to say at present
whether | am opposed to giving them
independence or not" replied Mr.
Sibley. "This is not the time to settle
that question. That will come later
and will finally adjust itself. 1t is the
duty of this country to first bring the
rebellion in the Philippines to hasty
close and then establish law and order
in the islands. After that, if Congress
thinks the inhabitants of Cuba and the
Philippines are capable of self govern
ment it may be good thing to give
them trial. 1t is my opinion, how
ever, that it will be many years before
the Philippines will be capable of
maintaining self-government. 1t is
different with the Cubans. They are
more intelligent than the Filippinos
and ought to become Americanized
more easily"
'It is reported Mr.. Sibley, that you
are no longer in sympathy with the
Democratic party on the question of
free silver"
"Well, l don't know about that" re-
piled Mr.. Sibley. Gin my opinion free
silver is no longer an issue. The great |
prosperity which the country is now
enjoying ought to be evidence enough |
to convince anybody that the financial |
policy of the present administration is
all right on that question"
At this juncture of the conversation
Mr.. Sibley excused himself to join his
family in a ride about the city in his
new automobile.