Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-02
A REMARKABLE DEBATE.
The Presidents Philippine Policy Dis
cussed, Pro and Con. by Two Flo
quent Members of the House.

Not since the stirring days before
the declaration of war last spring has
the house witnessed such an exhibi-
ton of excitement, and such scenes of
unbounded enthusiasm as occurred
yesterday when the two republicans:
Mr.. johnson, the Indiana member, and
Mr.. Dolliver, of Iowa, locked horns on
the question of expansion. The army
bill, which was under debate, was swal-
lowed up in the broader question of
our future national policy, and the de-
bate was lifted from the dead level of
mediocrity into unusual brilliancy.
Secured Time from the Democratic Side
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
occasions he has won a reputation as a
master of invective, and the knowledge
that he was to speak had attracted an
enormous crowd to the galleries.
Added to His Reputation.
Yesterday he added to his reputa-
ton. With satire, irony and wit, the
keen thrusts of his logic were driven
home. His words flowed from him in
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 policy that would
end in the downfall of the republic.
He said that the ratification of the
treaty by the senate would be the
deathknell of all the efforts of those
who were trying to prevent the coun-
try from rushing on to suicide, and
declared that if he were a senator he
would rot in his seat before it should be
ratified. He denounced the president as
the slavish follower of public opinion,
but warned him that the tide would
recede and the voice of the people
would in time rebuke him.
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.
Mr.. DoIIiver Goes to the Defense OF the
Administration.
When he had finished, Mr.. Deliver
came to the defense of the administra-
ton. One of the ablest debaters and
perhaps the most eloquent member of
the house, his reply set the republi-
cans wild with enthusiasm. He de-
scribed how the president had been
fairly driven into war by those who
now sought to embarrass him before
peace was definitely obtained, and his
eulogy of the president patiently meet
ing 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, when he paid an
eloquent tribute to Admiral Dewey,
and broke in renewed volume. when
he declared that the course of some
members at both ends of the capitol
was almost treason"
The Highest Pitch OF Excitement.
But the highest pitch of excitement
was reached when Mr.. johnson and
Mr.. Dolliver got to close quarters to-
wards the end of the latter's speech
Mr.. johnson pressed the defender OF
the administration to disclose the
presidents ultimate purpose regard
ing the Philippines, but Mr.. Dolliver
for some time adroitly evaded a di-
rect 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 ratifying the
treaty. The future of the Philippines
was a question for the future.
1t was in every respect remarka-
bic debate. The other speeches of the
day were completely overshadowed by
those of Mr. johnson and Mr.. Dolliver