Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-26
55th CONGRESS.
Johnson and DoI|iver Lock
Horns on Expansion.
Former Makes Bitter and Senseless
Attack Upon the President.
And the Latter Eloqus nifty Defends President
and the Administration.

Washington, Jan. 25.-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 unbounded
enthusiasm as occurred, today, Wlen
two Republicans, Mr.. johnson of In
diana, ana MIR. Doliiver of Iowa,
locked horns on the question Of expan-
sion. The army bill which was under
debate was swallowed up in the broad
er question of our future national
policy and the debate was lifted from
the dead level Of mediocrity into abso-
lutte brilliancy. Mr.. johnson secured
time from the Democratic side to at
tack the position of the administration.
1t was not the first time he had broken
away from his party on pubic ques-
tons.
On past occasions he had won a repu-
taton as a master OF invective and the
knowledge that he was TO speak had
attracted an enormous crowd in the
galleries. Today, he added to his 1repu-
tation. With satire, irony and wit. the
keen thrusts of his logic We're driven
home. His words flowed from him In
perfect torrent. He denounced the
proposition to annex the Philippines as
subversiVe of every tradition dear 10
the American heart in the past and the
Inauguration of a policy that would
end in the downfall of the republic. He
said that the ratification of the treaty
by the Senate would sound the death
knen Of all the efforts of those who
were trying to prevent the country
Il a
that if he We're a senator he would rot
in 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 re-
ce9e and the voice of the people would
in time rebuke him. Members stood in
the aisles 10 deep While he was speak
ing, but he tried to stop the applause
which continuously broke out from the
Democratic side. For almost two hours
his words poured forth.
When he had finished Mr.. Dolliver
came to the defence of the administra-
ton. One of the ablcst debaters, and
perhaps the most eloquent of the
House. his reply set the Republicans
wild with enthusiasm.
He described how the President had
been fairly driven into war by those
who now sought to embarrass him be-
fore peace was definitely obtained. and
his eulogy of the President, patiently
meeting all the pcrplexing problems
which Deset him as the great events of
the last year moved on, aroused his
side and the galleries to cheers. These
rang out again and again when he
paid an eloquent tribute to Admiral
Dewey and broke out in renewed vol
ume when he declared that the course
Of some members at both ends of the
Capitol was almost treason
But the highest pitch of excitement
was reached when Mr.. Johnson and Mr.
Deliver got to close quarters towards
the end of the latter's speech. Mr..
Johnson pressed the defender of the
administration to disclose the Presi-
dents ultimate purpose regarding the
Philippines. but Mr.. Dolliver for some
time adroitiy evaded a direct response.
At last he contented himself with de-
claring that this was not the point at
issue. that the thing was to end the war
by ratifying this treaty. The future of
the Philippines was a question for tht.
future. 1t was in every respect a re-
marllable debate.
The other speeches were completely
overshadowed by those of Mr.. Johnson
and Mr.. Dolliver.