The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-20
MIR. Turner's Address Against Expan-
sion and MIR. FOraker's Reply TO
Criticisms of the PopuIist.
NICARAGUA BILL AMENDED
PAYMENTS ON THE CANAL NOT TO
EXCEED $40, ,OOO,OOO A YEAR.
Representatives of the Maritime Come
pany Heard-HiII Financial Bill OPP
posed by Secretary Gage.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-The Senate lis
tened further to-day to the discussion Of
the policy o9 expansion. Mr.. Turner pop,
Wash) delivered a carefully prepared
speech on the Vest resolution. The speech
was for the most part a constitutional argu-
ment in which Mr.. Turner took issue with
Senator Platt and Senator Foraker upon
their recent utterances. AT the conclusion
OF Mr.. Turner's argument Mr. Foraker took
some sharp exceptions to statements made
in the speech, especially those referring to
him personally. He explained at length the
nature of his statements, declaring among
other things that he had spoken only for
himself and had no intention or desire to
pose as a representative of the administra-
ton, so far as his utterances were con-
cerned. Referring to the interested comment
which had been aroused in Great Britain by
his statements, he said: II was not speaking
for the administration, and the chill that
went up and down the backs of our friends
in London was due perhaps to a misappre-
henson as to which of the Ohio senator's
was speaking The Nicaragua canal bill
was under consideration nearly three hours.
After much debate a substitute presented by
Mr. Morgan for the bond amendment offered
by Mr.. Allison was adopted. 1t provides that
the secretary of the treasury shall not pay
out for work on the canal mere than $50
100000 during any fiscal year. Earnest eff
forts were made to amend the measure in
other particulars, but all failed.
MR.. TURNER'S SPEECH.
Mr. Turner in beginning his speech said
he opposed our acquiring the Philippines.
The noble ship of state its chart having
been torn to tatters. he said, was now drift
ing whittier she would on wild and un-
known sea- This dangerous condition, he
said, was being forced upon the ship by the
pretense that Providence has cast upon US
new responsibilities which we may not
shirk." He could not agree however, that
this dangerous responsibility was one
for the American people to as
sumo Mr. Turner denied the con-
tention that the acquisition of distant
territory had been forced upon this country
bv the arbitrament of war. This country was
at liberty to retain such foreign territory as
it had conquered if it so desired, and such of
il as was suitable in soil, climate and nhabi-
tants, we might want to keep, but he denied
that our only recourse was to give back
the conquered territory to the enemy. IF we
may keep it ourselves said he, I'VE may
require it to be given to the people who in
habit it. for the purpose of independence and
liberty" This, he believed, was the proper
course to pursue in the case of the Phil
ippines. The sovereignty of this country
would not be impeached by such generous
action
M turned adverted to the statement OF
Mr. Foraker few days ago that it was not
the purpose Of the United States TO retain
the Philippines permanently, but he said he
was forced to differ from the Ohio senator
because he found in the treaty which had
been negotiated under the direction of the
President 'evidence Of such character
that It must override the opinion of the dis
tinguished senator from Ohio" In conclu-
sion Mr.. Turner said: "It is well enough
to hug the pleasing thought that we are
great people and that there is no RESPONSE
bility that can be thrust on us which we
cannot meet and face and accept with safe
tv. That this is true all may well believe,
else our fathers fought and wrought in vain,
and we of this day are degenerate children.
But 1t is the height of Quixotism, and is the
reverse of the teachings of the fathers, TO
40 around in the world hunting response
biities and counting dangers because we
are able to meet them
Mr. Foraker maintained that neither he
nor any other senator had held that Con-
gress could or would legislate for its terri
tories without reference to its obligations
to the Constitution.
Mr Rawlins inquired of Mr.. Foraker il
the people of acquired territory held the
privileges of citizens under the Constitution.
In reply Mr.. Foraker said there was
hardly an excuse for the interrogatory.
What 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 operation there
FORAKER'S EXPLANATION.
In answer to a question by Mr.. Hoar, Mr..
Foaker said that the Constitution did APP
ply to the people Of territory acquired by
the United States government, but that
while the dominion was Territory Congress
had plenary power to deal with the condi-
tions there. Continuing his personal expla-
nation. Mr. Foraker said THE senator
from Washington made some remarks to-
day about what / said as 10 the purpose OF
the administration I desire 10 say here
and now that / did not speak for anybody
but myself / desire to say that l did not
imagine it would be necessary TO say
was not speaking for the administration.
and the chill that went up and down the
backs of our friends in London was due
perhaps to mlsapprehension as TO which
of the Ohio senators was speaking" Laugh
teri
Mr. Foraker then quoted from his speech
of several days ago further to explain pre-
clsely what he did say Il know ne added,
chat 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 he spoke as
one Judging from the public uterances of tha
President and some knowledge OF his feelings