The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-03
SENATOR SPOONER
DEFENDS THE TREATY
Finds No Objection on COnsti-
tutional Grounds.
Opposed TO Tying fhe Hands Of the
Government.
The Speech Regarded as an Able
Presentation OF the Middle
Ground Position.

tte lIlSu states 10 dCQulIt lelFitols "
be permanently held as colonies was de-
livered in the Senate yesterday by Senator
Spooner of Wisconsin. Mr.. Spooner's S
speech, hich lasted for near.y three hours.
was one of the best that has been made on
either side of this much debated question,
and during its delivery he was accorded
most careful attention on the part of Sena-
tors on both sides of the chamber, as well
as of many members of the House, who
took up all the vacant seats on the foor,
and packed galleries.
While Mr.. Spooner was for the ratifica-
tion of the Treaty of Peace between the
United States and Spain with all possible
haste, he was as strongly against any
declaration in the nature of outlining the
future policy of the Government in con-
nection with the Philippine Islands, be-
lieving that the hands OF the Government
should not be tied. and that the future
should depend on the wisdom of the people.
While holding these views. Mr.. Spooner
is unequiyocally against permanent pos
session and control of that archipelago, be-
lieving that our interests as well as those
of the Filipinos demand that when they
demonstrate their capability for self-gov-
ernment they should be allowed to eXer-
else that function.
After most thorough and able review
of the whole situation, the advantages Of
the solution offered by the Treaty were
made most apparent, and the obstacles
and objections to all alternative courses
were made TO stand out in incontroyeru-
bic cleaTness.
The sullivan Resolution.
When the session began yesterday it was
generally believed that n vote would be
taken on the Bacon resolution as amended
py Mr. Sullivan, which declares that while
the ratification OF the Treaty does not de-
terInine the policy to be pursued by the
United States with reference to the Philip
pine Islands, it does not commit the Gov
ernment to a colonial policy, or prevent
the establishment OF stable and indie
pendent government in those islands.
This resolution, which is the most lib
eraI in its terms OF any that are pending
on the question, it is thought, VIII De
adopted when vote can be reached The
parliamentary situation is such that
vote cannot be taken after . o'clock, when
by agreement the Senate goes into execu-
tive session unless some Senator has the
focr on some one of the pending resolu-
tons. in which case he is allowed to finish
after that hour.
As there are two Senators scheduled to
speak today, it is not likely that vote
will be reached. This Will throw the mat
ter over until Saturday. when strong ef-
fort will be made TO have the resolution
agreed 10.
Mr.. spooner took the floor at 1890, I'm
uediately after the morning business
Nr. Spooncr's Speech.
He said he found no objection to the
Peace Treaty on any constitutional
grounds The Senators from Connecticut,
Montana. Minnesota, and Ohio Platt,
Carter. Nelson. and Foraker had fully
presented the view he entertains on that
question If he believed the Vest resolu-
tion was based on sound view of constj-
tutional law that the United States had
10 power TO acquire territory except with
a view to statehoodl he could not vote TO
accept any cession for any purpose or for
any time, of the Philippine archipelago.
for he could conceive of no circumstances
under which he could give his consent TO
the admission of that archipelago as one
State, or more than one State, Of the
American Union. The Philippine acquisi-
tion was one of the fruits OF the war. To
him 1t was one OF the bitter fruits OF the
war.
Mr.. Spooner went on with legal argu-
ment in criticism of and antagonism to the
dictum of Chief Justice Taney in the Dred
Scott case, that dictum being to the effect
that the United States has no power tc
acquire territory except through the ad-
mission of new States. That, he said, was
a great political case. He had been
taught to look with aversion upon its de-
cision; but he was not now so certain that
all the criticisms made upon it were wei!
taken No one, however, could deny thai
Chief Justice Taney's argument was suci
an argument as a learned, able, and in
genious lawyer would have made 1t haC
ceased years ago to be regarded as a cor,
rect Interpretation OF the law.
-.--F-1. Il,
trine of the acquisition of territory di
not originate with Judge Taney in tn
bred Scott case. More than 40 year
before, IN 1911. Mr.. Quincy. the grand
father Of the present Mayor Of Boston
took the position in the House of Repre-
sentatives tand certainly not in the inter
ests Of the maintenance OF African slavery
that the acquisition of foreign territory b.
the United States Government was no
only unconstitutional but would be a suf
fcient reason why New England shoul
withdraw from the Federal Union.
Mr. SpOoner rejoined that he was con
fning himself to judicial declarations
Mr.. Bacon said the case had never bee
before the courts until the Dred Scot
case
Continuing, Mr.. Spooner quoted the pro
vision in the Constitution that Congress
might make all needful rules and regula
tions for the government OF the territor
belonging 10 the United States, and con
tended that such provision was not re
stricted 10 the territory then held, bU
was applicable to all territory thereafte
acquired. The Law was general, and wa
prospective in its operation. He knew Il
reason why territory and its peopl
should not be governed by Congress
rights TO life, liberty, property, and trii
by jury being safeguarded.
DO those rights MIR. Tillman broke il
include the right of the people of III
Philippine Islands TO move from one pan
OF their country 10 another"
Il think So Mr.. Spooner said.
And from the territory into the Unite
States?'' Mr.. Tillman continued.
Il think So" was again the response.
In other wOrds,'' said Mr.. Tillman, ''th
annexation of the Philippine Islands wouI
carry with it the right of any of thei
people 10 come here
Il do not care 10 discuss that, - said NJ
SDooner.
Mr.. Platt OF Connecticut remarked, in a
undertone. They have that right SOW
Mr.. Spooner was then allowed TO 20 OF
Whether we can prevent the people Of
territory from leaving II. or whether W
can exclude them from any Of our State
is 4 question ! do not care TO discuss" b
remarked.
MIR. TiIimun Again.
Mr.. Tillman again broke in by sayin
his principal objection to the Treaty wa
that the ten million people of the Philh
pine Islands would have the right to com
here and compete in--the labor market
the United States. or capitalists would hay
the right to import them.
Mfr. Spooner, however, declined TO g
into that subject any further. He said h
had no doubt whatever OF the power of th
United States TO accept the cession of th
islands He has No dnuhI of th.. r.n,,or L