Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-25
eminent hundreds Of millIons Of dol

The army reorganization bill, the
unfinished business. was laid aside
temporarily and the Senate proceeded
with the river and harbor bill When
the discussion Of the amendment was
resumed, Warren. Wyo.. Clark. Wyo.,
Allen. Neh.. Foraker, Ohio, and Gal
linger, N. H., addressed the Senate in
i favor of the amendment. The amend
ment proposed by the committee was
adopted without division.
At. the request of Sewell, N. J., the
river and harbor bill was laid aside
temporarily in order that he might
submit some remarks upon the army
Reorganization bill which he regarded
as of higher Importance than any other
measure now before Congress. Sewell
said he was not one Of those who had
been anxious for war with Spain. He
believed that Spain had answered our
demands to great extent with ref
erence to Cuba. He never would have
| consented to a war with Spain had ii
not been for the destruction of the
Maine. After that there was no other
alternative than war. 1t was difficult,
he said, to say who was responsible for
the Names destruction He himself
had grave doubts whether the crime
was committed by the Spanish author
tiles.
IT may have been done by Spain" he
said, "or by some irresponsible Spanish
subject, or it may have been done by
the Cuban Junta, who mad more reason
tor precipitating war than anybody
else. But war came and with it great
responsibilities
He said that in very short time the
President had armed and equipped a
great army OF nearly $500 men. This
army had been reduced more than one
half, yet. today, in his opinion. the
country was more in a state of war
than it was when our army was before
Santiago.
Il never was in favor of acquiring
the Philippines" said Sewell Il said
to the President. the day after Dewey's
magnificent victory in Manila bay:
For Gods sake order him away from
there"
.Sewe!l said that he had visited the Pa.
cine islands and was satisfied, from per-
habitants We're not desirable acquisitions
| to this country. He declared that ii wou,,,
take an army of from 25.0O0 TO 5000 20
maintain our controlin the Philippines.
|
CURED in Cuba and several thousand in
Porto Rico, so that practically the entire
army would be used in our islands,
Foraker. Ohio, inquired why the United
| States would require 1000 men in Cuba
He inquired further how the government
was going to keep force on that island
| after peace with Spain had formally been
declared. He declared that the Cubans
had exercised great self-control and that
our troops were not now needed on the
| island.
Sewell: I'VE have had peace In Cuba
because We have had large force there.
lhose people are turbulent people.
They will have revolutions there con
stantly. l believe we shall have a war
| with them after a while
Foraker: Il don't think We will
| Sewell: 81 do"
the Philippines is serious. Those people
| who are turbulent and intractable must
be put down. If I were the President
| would send force there that would be
| sufficient to put them down sharply and
| quickly"
Sewell analysed the Hull-Hawley bill.
indicating the desirability of enacting it
| into law.
Hawley made a brief statement in re-
| gard to the compromise army bill re I'd
in the House. He said the bill was a
! rough draft prepared at the war depart
| nent. last night and that ii should never
have been given out. He added that the
Senate subcommittee had been at work
all day in perfecting the bill and hoped
soon to be able to report bill that would
be satisfactory to all parties.
The reading of the river and harbor bill
| was then proceeded with without objec-
ton until the Nicaraguan canal bill was
reported.
Rawlins, Utah, then, said that there
the the ratitication by the ' senate Of any
treaty that might be made with Nicara-
qua or Costa RIGA for right of way for
the canal ;snaa.io Frye rye replied that no treaty
Rawlins thought that the question
| should be dealt with as a separate meas
ure. He made the point of order that the
| amendment was not in order because 1t
provided for general legislation. Petit
grew supported the point of order, and
Frye contended that il was not well
| taken Frye admitted that point of Or
der to the effect that the amendment was
not eermane might be raised Chiffon
and Morgan contended for the regularity
| of the amendment. RaWlinS supported
his point of order.
After long discussion of the point Of
order. the Vice President submitted %
the Senate the question: rs the amend,
ment in order and shall it be submitted
to the Senator?
The ayes and nays We're demanded and
the amendment was decided to be in or
Vest then raised the question of the
relevancy of the amendment and de-
manded the ayes and noes. 1t was de-
Cided to be relevant, As to r.
Spooner offered an amendment to the
Nicaragua canal amendment as follows:
| THAT if the President shall be unable 10
secure from the governments Of Nicara-
qua and Costa Rica such concessions as
will enable the United States to build and
perpetually own and control said canal.
the President is authorized to negotiate
for control of or a right to construct
maintain and perpetualiy control some
other canal connecting the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans. and is the President is re-
quested to negotiate for the abrogation
or modification of any and all treaty OBJ
legations. II any such exist, shall in
any wise interfere with the construction.
ownership and perpetual control of any
such canal.
FRYE in charge of the bill, accepted the
amendment and ii was agreed to.
Rawlins argued against the acanal
amendment He proposed an amendment
striking out the appropriation for the
purchase of the right of way for the
canal. The amendment was defeated. 1,
to 5.
| Pettigrew said he had no idea the cana
would be built under this amendment lie
maintained that Sis, 900 COO would not pay
for it's construction nor would $2l5,O0o.tg-
build it. AT the conclusion of Pettigrew 5
remarks the Nicaragua canal bill amend
ment as amended was agreed to withou.
division.
Frye. in charge of the bill, offered as an
amendment to the bill codification OF
laws relating to river and harbor i'm
provements. and it was agreed to with
out being read and without division
Teller. Sill. Rep, Col, made vigorous
argument against the bill. lie denounced