Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-02-03
MIR. sPOONER MAKES A NOTABLE
SPEECH IN THE SENATE.
DOES NOT WANT PHILIPPINES
SAYS 1T IS OUR SACRED DUTY TO
CONTROL THEM, HOWEVER.
Argues for Ratification of the Peace
Treaty-Says We Have as Much
Right to Seize Philippines
as We Have to Seize
Porto Rico.

WASHINGTON. Feb. "A notable speech
was made in the sepate to-day by Mr..
| Spooner, of Wisconsin. He took for his
| text the antf-expansion resolution offered
| by Mr.. Vest. but did not confine himself
| closely to that proposed declaration of pol
. icy. He discussed the question of expan-
sion In all of its phases. and urged the rati-
fcation Of the peace treaty as the best
| means of bringing the burning question
nome to the people themselves. who. he
said. could well be trusted on their sober
second thought to do that which would be
| fair, Just and generous toward the inhab-
| itants Of the Philippine archipelago.
Mr.. Spooner spoke for three hours, and
through his brilliant oratory, fine ability
| as close student and astute reasoner,
splendid qualities as an advocate, and
adroitness and cleverness at repartee. held
| the careful attention of ap unusually large
| number of senators and a large audience
| In the galleries. At the conclusion of his
speech he received the warm congratula-
| tions of many of his colleagues, notable
among whom was. Mr.. Tillman, of South
Carolina, with whom he had had sharp
personal tilt in the course of his argu-
ment.
IF held the view that the United States
could not, within its constitutional limit
be erected into states, I could not give my
consent to the acquisition of the Philippine
Islands," said Mr.. Spooner. "This Philip
pine proposition is one of the fruits Of
the war-to me one Of the bitter fruits.
can conceive of no circumstances under
which could give my consent to the ad-
mission of that archipelago as a state
or as more than one state, Of the American
Union"
Mr.. spooner then presented an argument
IN contravention Of Chief Justice Taney's
decision in the Dred Scott case, which, he
said. was the foundation OF all the oppo.
sition to the acquisition Of territory by this
government.
That decision,' he said. ceased years
ago TO be referred to as a correct interpre-
tation of the law upon this question:
Mr. spooner maintained that the United
states undoubtedly had the power, as had
previously been shown IN the senate. to
acquire territory beyond our own domain
ana with that power has coupled, of course,
the collateral authority to govern that ter
ritory
lie knew, he said, Of no reason why terri
tory and the people of territory should
not be governed by congress- as every
right of life, liberty and property and trial
by jury would be fully safeguarded. He
pointed out that. although the territory of
Alaska did not enjoy self-government, its
rights and those Of its people were amply
safeguarded by congress.
Mr.. Tillman, interruptine Mr.. spooner
INQUIRED: "If we accept the Philippines,
would the Inhabitants Of that territory
have the right to come without hindrance
to this country?"
Mr.. Spooner-"Yes: for the purpose of nv
argument. I am disposed to admit It,"
Mr. Platt, Of connecticut-"They have
Y1nv
Mr.. Tillman inquired whether the fnhabi-
tants of territory could be prevented from
entering the states.
Mr. Spooner said the senator from Com
necticut (Mr. PlatD was inclined to he
Eeve they could be, but he himself doubt
ed it.
Mr.. Tillman. further along, pressed his
question as to the right Of the Filipinos
to come here and declared that, by admit
ting, the islands by treaty, 10000, 900 people
Of that territory could take the first sfip
cod aor THIS a5tsr country ,y and upon arrival here
can labor. That was the % reason som WhT Amefae he
Shortly, afterward Mr.. Tillman again in
that. if Mr. spooner had been @ preeeaa ssa.seat at
yesterdays session. he would not have
made certain statements. He then pro-
United States consul at Manila certain
iacts concerning the progress of the reyo-
luton against Spanish rule in the islands.
LIS rs not the senator making public" re-
Piled MIR. Spooner. smiling, some informa-
tha tion concerning the executive sessions of
Yes. 1 am" replied Mr.. rillman. "But
the information l have" holding aloft a
printed document. "is contained In this
book. which has been made public and
will therefore, be excused from violating
faith With my brethren Of the senate"
Mr.: Spooner said that no government. MS
had had been zen contended % on the floor Of the SEN
pine islands. 1T could not be seriously re-
earded as a government, as it was nothing
more SI than than a tin horn affair at best.
Mr: Tiilman. again interrupting the Wis
consin senator and again holding aloft the
document which he held. said: "Unless the
senator withdraws his imputations against
the good faith and honesty of Aguinaldo.
l will read what I have here
to Aguinaldo."
Your remarks about Aguinaldo," retort-
ed Mr.: Tillman were made in a sneering
and airy manner, indicating no respect
Mr.. Spooner..'If the senator from Aguin-
tldo VIII permit ME to pursue my argument
IN my own way, | will be grateful /
have said nothing about Aguinaldo and do
not care to have my speech anticipated"
Mr.; Spooner then explained that he had
not been present yesterday OH account of
Illness and was anxious on account of
his his, physical condition to complete his ar
eument as soon as possible.
MI Tiilman-"ln the circumstances !
VIII not again interrupt the senator and
viii even endure the sneer about my being
q senator from Aguinaldo.'
Mr.. Spooner promptly withdrew his ref
erence to MIR. Iillman, and then proceeded
with his discussion Of the so-calied Fill
pino republic.
Referring to the authority and power of
Agutnaldo he said that what he represents
nobody knows; whom he represents. nobody
knows; and nobody conld say how far his
extends. Before the peace COM
mission in Paris it had been stated that
Asulnaldo represented only l per cent of
the inhabitants Of the islands,
He then pointed out that it was necss-
sary, for government of any status to |
meet its domestic requirements and dis
charge its international obligations
Mr. spooner ridiculed the idea that dis |
tance could affect our right to acquire ter
ritory. Why was there no objection to the |
acquisition Of Porto Rico II there must be |
SO much opposition to taking the Philip-
pines? The consent of Porto Ricans had |
not been asked
were different, because of the proximity of |
Porto Rico. as the presence of Spain in |