The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-26
Not Since the Days Just Preceding
the Declaration Of War
Has There Been Witnessed Such Excite
msnt as Occurred Yesterday.
Two Republicans, johnson Of In
diana and Dolliver of Iowa, in
Discussing the Army Reorgani-
ration Bill, Lock Horns on the
Question Of Expansion.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Not since
the stirring days before the declaration
of war last spring has the House wit
messed such an exhibition of excitement
and such a scene of unbounded enthusl-
assn as occurred to-day, when two Re-
publicans, Mr.. Johnson, the Indiana
member, and Mr.. Dolliver, of Iowa,
locked horns on the question of eX-
pansion. The army bill, which was I'M
der debate, was swallowed up in the
broader question of our future National
policy, and the debate was lifted from
the dead level of mediocrity into alb
solute brilliancy.
Mr. Johnson secured time from the
Democratic side to attack the position
of the Administration. 1t was not the
first time he has broken away from his
party on public questions. On past oc-
casiOns he has won reputation as
master of invective, and the knowledge
that he was to speak had attracted an
enormous crowd to the galleries To-
day he added to his reputation With
satire, irony and wit, the keen thrusts
of his logic were driven home. HIS
words flowed in a perfect torrent He
Denounced the proposition to annex the
Philippines as subversive of every
tradition dear to the American heart
in the past, and the Inauguration OF a
policy that would end in the downfall
of the Republic He said the ratifica-
ton of the treaty by the Senate would
sound the death knell of all the efforts
of those who were trying to prevent
the country from rushing on to sui
eide, and declared if he were a. Senator
he would rot in his seat before it should
be ratified. He denounced the Presi-
dent as the slavish follower of public
opinion, but warned him that the tide
would recede, and the voice of the peo-
pie would in time rebuke.
Members stood in the aisles ten deep
while he was speaking, but he tried to
stop the applause which continually
broke out from the Democratic side.
For almost two hours his words poured
forth
When he had finished, Dolliver came
to the defense of the Administrations.
One of the ablest debaters and perhaps
the most eloquent member of the
House, his reply set the Republicans
wild with enthusiasm. He described
how the President had been fairly driv-
en- into war by those who now sought
to embarrass him before peace was den-
nitely obtained, and his eulogy of the
President, patiently meeting all the
perplexing problems which beset him
as the great events of the year moved
on. aroused his side and the galleries
to cheers These rang out again and
again. and he paid an eloquent tribute
to Admiral Dewey, and broke out IN
renewed volume when he declared that
the course of some members at both
ends of the Capitol was almost treas
enable"
But the highest pitch of excitement
was reached when Johnson and DoiilVer
got to close quarters toward the end OF
the latter's speech Johnson pressed
the defender of the Administration TO
disclose the Presidents ultimate pur-
pose regarding the Philippines, but
Dolliver for some time adroitly evaded
a. direct response. AT last he contented
himself with declaring that this was
not the point at issue; that the first
thing was to end the war by ratify1ng
the treaty The future of the Phillip
pines was a question for the future
1t was in every respect a remarkable
debate.
Gibson (R) of Tennessee was the first
speaker to-day He advocated the pas
sage of the Hull bin. In the course of
his speech he remarked that it was
too soon for US to decide upon per-
manent policy regarding the Phillip
pines. Our present policy should be de-
lay until we have thoroughly investi-
gated the situation
Johnson R.) of Indiana then took the
floor in opposition to the bill. AS he
arose the Democrats applauded him
and squared themselves around in an
ticipation of some sensational utter
ances.
"While the President, in the presence
of what he may conceive to be a. pop
ular demand" he began. lis hurrying
the army and navy across the seas to
;nfiict upon an alien people a govern
ment against their WILL propose fear
,assly. without regard to it's effect upon
my personal fortunes, to make plea
for liberty and an argument against
the perpetuation of injustice.
1--WE were on the verge of crisis. :
said Johnson. Those who failed to
rush forward in support of the schemes
of the imperialists were being de-
nounced here and in the public press as
.Spaniards and men who failed to Go
their duty" His answer was that II
the Chief Executive would break his ST.
lence and openly state that we did not
propose to enslave the people of the
Philippines. his word for it. the present
strained relations in the islands would
cease; those who were but yesterday
our allies would return to their homes,
and there would be no necessity for this
proposed increase in the standing
army.
No, this would not be done. What
meant this hasty disavowal of Senator
Foraker's statement that the Admins
tration did not mean to hold the Phil
;npines; what meant this clamor Of the
Administration press? Why had the
Presidents Commissioners demanded
the absolute cession of the ieIands In
stead of simply demanding their evae-
,,afion. as he did in the case of Cuba
whv did not Senator Davis, who was in
charge of the treaty. concur in the
agreement to allow the passage of
resolution disavowing the Government $
purpose to hold the islands permanent
"? These were patent facts which
could not be lodged. They must be