Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-10
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, January 10.
SENATE.

providing that the appropriation DIS
shall be distributed among the COM
mittees as is done in the House. He
asked that it go on the calendar and
gave notice that at the earliest possible
moment it would be called up. He
said similar resolution was before tue
rules committee.
MIR. Hale reported fayorably the bill
fixing The pay of certain chiefs OF nu-
reaus in the Navy Department after
their retirement.
Mr.. Mason, of Illinois, addressed the
Senate on the expansion question. Ue-
equivocaly he declared himself for the
absolute independence of the people OF
the Philippine Islands, and while he
did not propose to discuss the treaty CT
peace he insisted that before that docn-
ment was ratified the Senate should put
itself on record regarding annexation.
He asserted that it was easy for pun
lie man to drift with the tide, but 1t was
not always safe. Mr.. Mason read sew
ersl extracts from leading newspapers
TO show, he added, that the editors snc
writer's OF this country were against
annexation. Next he read some
gloomy accounts from Iloilo, indicating
probably serious trouble there. Then
the Sepator exclaimed II tell you, we
are entering upon state of War with
the natives of the Philippines" This
was followed with an extract from
morning paper in which the Filipinos
we're Denounced as outlaws who had to
be crushed. Commenting on this Mr..
Mason said "How familiar that
sounds. That's what King George the
Third of England called George Wash
ineton and the other American patriots
of the Revolution" The Senator stated
that because of his position on this que=-
ton, he had been threatened with dis.
cipline. He thought. however, that the
American people should hear both sides
of the question before the verdict WAS
rendered. He denied that this move
ment was part of the republican par
ty policy. 1t was never in any nation
al platform of the party. The party
came into existence because Of its fight
for human liberty. Who was author
izsd to speak for the republican party ?
No one could predict iu advance of the
NATIONAL convention of 1900 what the
the declaration would be. Il predict"
he went on, "that in 1900 the repuUli-
cans, in national convention assembled,
will declare for the independence OF
he Philippines just as they had in
1896 declared for Cuban independ-
ence." Mr.. Mason asserted that the
United States could not govern the
Philippines without taxing the natives.
"If. you tax without allowing them
proper presentation, you will have
more tea. parties'.n
The Senator created some merrimeat
in the chamber by relating that the
other Gay one of his constituents told
him he did not think the Filipinos
were capable of governing themselves.
"Why that very man." added Mr.. Ma
son, "cannot govern himself fifteen
minutes at time. At the same tine
be put in an application for positioo
in the Philippines. Mr.. Mason spoke
of the kind of liberty certain Senators
want to give the Filipinos was canned
liberty" He said Admiral Dewey
| hid expressed the opinion that
thase people were capable of
governing themselves. After allud-
lug to the wailing and distress that
would be heard in the United States
If the policy of imperialism was adopt.
ed, he cried out, God help the party
That ever tries to carry liberty ard
civilization into these island, with 13-
inch gun" He said he was for the ip-
dependence of the Philippines and Of
Cuba because he was bound by the
solemn promise of the Senate last year
So was every Senator pledged to stand
by those resolutions. Il wGs tina
enough to say they could not govern
themselves after they have been given
q trial.
Mr.. Mason concluded his speech at
2:05 o'clock. He received marked at
tenrion from his associates and applause
came from the galleries when he sat
down.
The foal vote on the Nicaragua
canal will be taken in the Senate before
the close OF next Tuesdays session.
At o'clock on that day the bill and
amendments will be considered under
an arrangement limiting speeches to Is
minutes.
Mr.. Turpie made speech this after
noon earnestly fsvoring the construc.
ton OF the canal.