Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-19
SPOKE FOR HIMSELF
Mr.. Foraker's Position on the Philip
pine Question.
NOT ADMINISTRATION MOUFHPIECE
Statement to the Senate This
Afternoon.
on THE POST OFFICE BILL


At the beginning of today's session of the
Senate Il letter was read from Mr.. Frye
president pro tempore, appointing Mr..
Platt Comm To preside over the Senate to-
day i'm the absence of the Vice President
and himself
\ magnificent floral piece was placed on
She desk Of Mr.. Hawley Comm soon after
the Senate convened. 1t was one of the
most elaborate seen in the Senate for years,
and attracted much attention.
Mr.. Mills CTex) presented joint reso'u-
ton directing the Secretary of War to
have made d survey and estimate of cost
Of a channel between Texas City and Gal
weston. and it was adopted.
A resolution was also passed directing the
Secretary of War to have made survey
and estimate Of cost of improving the har-
Dor of Camden, Maine.
Mr.. Turner spoke at length on Mr.. Vest S
auti-cN pansOn resolution. His remarks will
be found in another column of The Star.
Mr.. Turner concluded his remarks at 30
pm. having spoken for an hour and half.
Mr.. Foraker (OhiO). who had listened to
the speech with close attention, said there
were some references in Mr.. Turner'S speech
To himself to which he desired to take eX-
cep1ion Mr. Foraker said that Mr.. Turner
had quoted him as contending this govern
meut had unlimited power to acquire terri
tory, and in the government of such terri
tory was not restricted by its Constitution
Il did not. said Mr.. Foraker. say any
thing upon which the senator from Wash
ifSton Justly could base such a statement
He then read at some length from his
own speech to indicate clearly what he had
said.
Mr. Foraker maintained that neither he
nor any other senator had held that Con-
gress could or would legislate for its ter
ritOries without reference to its obligations
10 the Constitution.
Mr. Rawlns Utah) inquired of Mr.. For
aker if the people of acquired territory
h III the privileges of citizens under the
Constitution.
In reply Mr.. Foraker said there was
hardly an excuse for the interrogatory.
What l said. he continued, was that
the Constitution was not operative in the
territories as to the political rights of their
inhabitants until the Legislative machinery
was set IN OperatioI there"
In answer TO question by Mr.. Hoar Mr..
Foraker said that the Constitution did APP
ply L. the people of territory acquired by
the tnited States government, but that
Will III" dominion was a territory Com
ErcS~ had plenary power to deal with the
conditions there.
Nr. Foraker Explains.
Continuing his personal explanation, Mr.
Foraker said:
The senator from Washington made some
/
purpose Of the administration. I desire to
say here and now that ] did not speak for
anybody hut myself / desire to say what
did not imagine il would be necessary for
anybody hut myself. ] am not speaking for
the administration. and the chill that went
up and down the backs of our friends was
rue. perhaps. 70 misrepresentation to
which of the Ohio senators was speaking.
U-aUghterl
Mr. Foraker then quoted from his speech
Of several days age further to explain
precisely what he did say. Il know" he
added. THAT nobody had in mind or has in
mind now. what has been attributed to
me He said that when he spoke Of the
actions or possible actions of the President
utterauc~S If the President and with some
knowledge of his feelings and desires with
respect 70 the question in hand.
He then quoted from his speech the stale
Tent that ne did not know of anybody
from The President down to his humblest
follower, who had any intention or desire
10 retain permanent control Of the Philip
pine Islands 1t was not" he concluded
'pf present purpose that / spoke. bur
rather Of the absence of a purpose
Canal Bill Taken Up.
Al the conclusion Of Mr.. Foraker's state
meGJ. consideration of the Nicaragua canal
bill which had been laid aside temporarily,
was resumed. The pending question was
the amendment offered by Mr.. Allison
Gowal authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury to issue bonds TO raise money
with which to construct the canal.
AIR Allison offered a substitute for his
amendment, in the form of an eIaborat ton
OF his first proposition, Mr. Allison explain
cd his amendment and urged that it he
adopted as a safeguard to the interests of
the uited States treasury.