Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-25
Johnson, Ind, Again Savagely
Attacks the President.
Republican Leaders Pay but Little At
tention to His Utterances.
River and Masbor Bill Passed. Carrying Mic
arssua Canal Provision.


Johnson. Rep. Ind. who made several
notable speeches violently attachlHs
the policy of the administration our
ing the consideration OF the army re-
organization bill. fortnight ago, re-
turned to the assault and delivered
against the President and some OF MS
advisers the most scathing pnlhppie
heard in the House for months
He sneered at the President and the
influence which he alleged controlled
him, impugned his motives. questioned
his sincerity and likened him to Dick
ems most contemplate character,
charged his secretary OF war with In
competency and predicted that the
President would in the end be engulfed
by adverse public sentiment.
Although Mr. Johnson's utterances
were far more sensational than those
in his former speeches and dazed some
of his auditors by the impetuosity with
which they were delivered. the speech
did not raise about him the storm of
his former speeches.
Mr. Lands. one Of his Republican
colleagues from Indiana. briefly stated
to the House that Mr. Johnson's con-
stituents had repudiated him and the
two members had wordy duel. Later
In the day. Mr.. Marsh. Rep. Ills. re-
piled to some of Mr.. Johnson's stric-
lures, but the Republican leaders had
evidently decided to ignore the attacks
of the Indianian and no general reply
was made to his speech. today.
The army appropriation bill was lost
sight OF in the general discussion Of
the policy of the government relative
10 the Philippines and several notable
speeches were made, particularly that
Of Mr.. Settle. Dem. Ky. The general
debate upon the bill closed. and, to-
morrow. the bill will be taken up for
amendment under the 5-minute rule.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal in the House an agreement was
reached to limit general debate on the
army appropriation bill to five hours.
The House then went into committee
of the whole and entered upon the con-
sideration of that measure, Hopkins
Rep. Ill., in the chair.
Hull. chairman of the House military
committee. during the debate had read
as part OF his remarks what he said
Pipbdtly VIII bt til' ofiltSt IiItdS-
ure for the reorganization of the army
Generally speaking it agrees with the
outline sent by The Associated Press.
yesterday. 1t was read for informa
ton and not as an amendment to the
appropriation bill,
Hull made a general explanation of
the bill which provide for 100000 men
for which the bill carried S19.03S,00 In
addition Hull said an amendment APP
proprating $50. 900 for ordnance would
be offered.
The committee. he said provided
500. 900 to feed the Cubans during the
next year although Hull gave it as his
personal opinion that supplies for the
Cubans should cease after June 30
next
Hull had read a copy of the
compromise army reorganization bill.
Briefly he explained that, it pro-
posed an army of $1,000 native Ameri
cans for two years and $4,000 volun-
teers for the same period.
Practically the compromise created
the organization upon which the pend
ing appropriation bill was framed. so
that there could be no criticism of it
far as he was concerned he said he
would not have accepted the comprom-
Use at the dictation of minority. This
statement was greeted with scattering
applause from the Republican side. He
believed the majority had the right to
rule.
Johnson, Rep. Ind. who made a Wig
orous opposition to the army reorgani-
cation bill while it was before the
House. secured 80 minutes. in which he
delivered a most remarkable and SEN
satiOnal speech, arraigning the admin
stration in bitter terms for it's alleged
imperialistic programme. He referred
in opening to the recent banquet in
Boston attended by the President and
members of his cabinet.
He paid his respects to Secretary AL
ger. who. it is said. had been retained
in the cabinet. despite his incompetent
cy on account of his contributions to
the campaign fund in 1896. Secretary
Long also came in for his share of
irony. He had the audacity. johnson
said. to repeat the baseless charge that
those opposed to the ratification of the
treaty were responsible for the blood
shed in the Philippines.
AS johnson proceeded his remarka-
BILE utterances fairl.5 amazed members
of the House gathered in the aisles to
listen "Christianizing with the sword
and civilizing with cannon" he declar-
ed. was the administrations policy.
The Presidents speech at the Boston
banquet. johnson declared. was the
most 'disingenious that ever feel from
the lips of Chief Executive. Apart
from its platitudes and professions of
virtue, it was he said. carefully
devised and studious misstatement of
facts
The sensation johnson was creating
increased as he likened the President
to Peck Sniff If the President really
felt that Congress should determine
upon the future of the Philippines, he
asked why the President did not call
Congress in extra session and then
keep his hands off.
He charged that the President CO.
creed the Senate into ratifying the
treaty. that he would not permit vote /
on the Bacon resolution and only allow
ed the McEnery resolution. which (
meant nothing. pass in order to lull the
opposition of the country to sleep while
he went ahead waging relentless war