The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-05
Another Day Of Expansion 0ratory
in the Senate.
Chiffon Makes a Constitutional Argument
In Support Of Vest Resolution.
Wolcott Appeals to the Senators to
Ratify the Successful Efforts Of
the Paris Peace Commissioners
in Behalf of Their Country
Proceedings in the House.


Proceedings in the House.
| another day for expansion oratoly in
the Senate. In the open session the
speakers were Chiffon of Texas and
Wolcott of Colorado. Chiffon made a
constitutional argument in support of
the Vest resolution, his principal objec-
ton to the annexation of the Philip
pines being that it would admit to this
country both the Filipinos and their
products, to come in competition with
our own workingmen and their prod
ucts. His proposed solution of the
pending problem was the establishment
of republic in the Philippines. over
which the United States would exercise
such care as it gives the Republic of
Liberia. Wolcott made an eloquent
| almost impassioned, appeal to the Sem
ate for the ratification of the successful
efforts of the Commissioners in behalf
of their country. At the conclusion of
his address he was accorded the COM
pliment of hearty applause
At the beginning of the session Allen
of Nebraska offered the following reso-
luton:
That the Senate Of the United
States, in ratifying and confirming the
treaty of Paris, does not commit itself
or the Government to the doctrines
that the islands acquired by virtue Of
the war with Spain are to be annexed
or to become a part of the United
States, and that the difference in the
language of said treaty as respects the
island of Cuba and it's inhabitants and
the island of Porto Rico and the Phil
| ippines and their inha shall not
be construed or be held to be differ
ence in effect. but that it is the inten-
ton of and the purpose of the Senate
in ratifying said treaty to place the in
hsbitants of the Philippine Islands and
Porto Rico in exactly the same posi-
ton respecting their relations to the
United States as are the inhabitants of
Cuba"
Allen gave notice that he would ad-
dress the Senate on the resolution on
Monday.
Chiffon of Texas then addressed the
Senate on the various anti-expansion
resolutions He asserted that he was
not an anti-expansionist or anti
annexationist. Within its proper bounds
he regarded it as the duty of this coun-
try to widen its bounds. He believed
the acquisition of Porto Rico and the
Island of Guam was well thought but
in the acquisition of the PHILIPPINES a
grave public policy was involved. He
believed such acquisition involved seri-
Gus peris, and that dangers to our
Government and institutions would
III
the annexation of the Philippines as at
all similar to Louisiana and California
and other territory now a part of the
United States
Chiffon said he would do with the
Philippines what the United States has
done with the Republic of Liberia. and
no European Government would then
dare to interfere with the independent
Government of the Philippines.
Wolcott, who had announced a brief
speech for to-day, was then recognized.
He attempted no discussion of the
pending resolutions. but urged the
ratification of the treaty on purely
moral and patriotic grounds
1t was not" said he, until it became
patent that the resolutions pending be-
lore the Senate We're being used merely
as cloak with which to defeat the
treaty of peace that 1 determined to
say few Words
His own belief was that discussion of
the treaty should take place in execu-
tive session. But Senators have taken
opportunity, in presenting their views
upon the resolutions, to discuss the
treaty. and he felt it necessary to say
something also. He said that the war
with Spain had had no charms for him.
and he had walked with perhaps reluc
tant feet along the lines of duty
marked out for him.
If the Commissioners appointed by
the President had presented to the
Senate a treaty yielding up the Philip
pine Islands he would have felt If his
duty to ratify their action; if they had
in the treaty held only a cealing station
he would have felt bound equally to
support their action. I'm their wis
DOM" he said, they have brought lis
treaty providing for the taking Of
the entire Philippine group. and / see
before me my duty to assist ratification
of that action
After reviewing briefly the results of
the war and the negotiations which led
to the appointment of the Peace Com
mission, Wolcott said: 1.-THE Commits
sioners appointed by the President were
men of eminent character and ability.
We may judge something of the Com
missioners by the members of it that
We're elected by this body. Not one
man here is there who would not trust
to any of them the most intricate and
delicate matter They have brought
back here treaty with Spain by which
We may deal with the Filipinos as Con-
gress hereafter may wisely determine
Yet we stand here day after day wrang-
ling over resolutions of no force and
effect, and which serve only to en-
barrass our own people in the Philip
piEes and afford comfort to our OPP
poIents on the islands. There is not
one of these questions raised which may
not properly be dealt with after the
treaty is ratified We should present a
united front to foreign foes, and dis
sent only on internal policies
Wolcott denounced the wrangling
over the treaty. The Senators who
were a few months ago SO certain that
the Cubans We're capable of self-gov-
ernment are now assured that the peo-
pie in the Philippines are also capable
of such government