Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-02-09
SBNA1ES OPEN SESSION.
One Of the Most Exciting In the Present
Session The hiiippine Policy
Under Discussion.

Washington. Feb. 6.--Ths was d day of
excitement and severe strain in the Sem
ate. The fact that the treaty was to he
voted upon and that the result was hang
ing In the balance kept senators all over
the chamber at high tension. When the
Senate convened at noon more IN, mbe g
were proSent than had been in attendance
upon any session of the Senate since il
assembled in December
! Mr.. Allen, pop, Nebraska, addressed the
Senate in the morning hour in favor of
the ratification of the treaty but in oppo-
sition to expansion. In the course of his
speech he adverted to some newspap,r
comments upon himself and made explain
atoms of his position. Mr. Clay, dem,
Georgia, occupied few minutes in eX-
planning why he proposed to support the
treaty. Mr.. German, dem, of Maryland.
followed with a notable speech, IN the
course of which he took Mr.. Wolcott, rep,
of Colorado, severely to task for some
statements in the latters speech a few
days ago in which Mr.. German thought
reference was made to him. He explained
that he had not now and never had presi-
dental aspirations, the newspaper report S
to the contrary notwithstanding. His at
tack upon the treaty was one of the most
severe made during the debate.
After the ratification, thcSenate in open
session took up a joint resolution offered
by Mr.. McEInery, dem. of Louisiana, de.
claring policy for the Philippines and an
effort was made to adopt it, but the de-
bate occupied so much time that the r,so
luton went over until tomorrow
The chaplain in his invocation prayed for
our troops in the Philippines; a prayer
was also made for the President and Con-
gress. Resolutions were presented by
MIR. Fairbanks, Mr.. Allen and Mr.. Hans
brough. adopted respectively by the Leg
islatures of Indiana, Nebraska and North
i q Of bns
States to vote for the PEACE treaty.
Mr. Allen then addressed the Senate up
on several resolution relating to eXnan-
sion lie devoted the first part of his adj
dress to personal explanation brought
out by statement made concerning him
and his aation with respect to the treaty.
Among the statements made by the news
paper in question was that Mr. Allen to-
day would enlighten the Senate as to the
political significance OF Senator Germans
position with reference to the treaty. II
have at no time" said Mr.. Allen, prom
ised to enllghten the country concernnng
what Senator German is dong or pro-
posed to do. II do not know nor am
concerned in knowing what Mr.. Gorman's
intentions may be-" He then paid a per
sonal tribute to Mr.. Germans ability and
as a patriotic statesman.
Referring then to the statements which
have been made as to the action of some
ing the treaty, because of their opposition
to William j. Bryan and the further
statements that Mr. Allen proposed to
take these democrats to task.
Mr.. Allen said l am not the keeper of
the conscience of Mr.. Bryan l do not pre-
tend to represent him here or elsewhere
ard any utterances to the contrary are
entirely unfounded | am tho personal
friend OF Mr.. Bryan and ! am also his
political friend. I may say of him that |
regard him as the superior in knowledge
and capacity of any living American
statesman and history will rank him
with Webster and Clay as one of the
, greatest statesmen our country has pro-
. duced."
Mr.. Allen continued: 81 have not ever
occupied doubtful ground upon this trea-
ty from the time II was completed in Par
is. / have intended to give it may VOTE
He said that had he been on the peace
commission he would have insisted on GER
tain changes in the treaty but neverthe-
less he would give it his vote"
Mr.. Alien then made an argument
against expansion but maintained Con-
gress~ would have all the power and au-
thority after the treatys ratification Il
deal with the questions that might arise
concerning the Philippines.
Senator Clay Of Georgia followed Sena-
tor Allen.
SENATOR GORMAN'S SPEECH.
AS soon as Mr.. Clay had concluded his
brief remarks, Mr.. German OF Maryland
rose to close the debate in open session
1t was expected that he would make some
, notable utterances and neither the scna-
tors or the people In the thronged CALLER
les were disappointed
The remarks of the senator from Ne
braska," said he, make 1t necessary 70;
me to say one word before the Senate
process to executive business to conclude
, the consideration of this treaty. ! had not
intended until within the last As hours &c
say anything, but now | feel constrained
to utter a few words.
1T Is an unfortunate custom that news