The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-11-29

FavOrs McKinley's Policy and win Not
Stick TO Democratic Doctrine.

WAsHINGToN, Nov. 25.-Representa
tive Joseph Sibley, of the Twenly-sev'
enth Pennsylvania district, who wa;
elected to Congress last year over Hon
Charles w. Stone, Republican, has ar
rived ia Washington with his family fol
the winter. In conversation with a rep
resentative of the Leader to-day Mr.. Sib-
ley intimated very strongly that he was
no longer in strict accord with the Dem.
ocrstic party in all issues, and intended
to vote as his conscience dictates on ques-
tions of vital interest TO the country's
welfare regardless of past or present po-
| litical affiliations,
Mr.. Sibley will caucus with the Demo-
cratic party on the question of selecting
candidates for the empty honor of speak
er, clerk, door-keeper and sergeant-at-
arms. of the house. He will not be bound
to any political policy the caucus may
adopt, however, and will act independ-
emily on all questions watch may come
up in the house,
81 have no p Jliticsl ambition and am
free TO act is my concience Dictates" he
said.
Mr.. Sibley will support Representative
Sulzer, of New York for the Democratic
caucus nomination for speaker.
II will be recalled that Mr.. Sibley was
the original rec silver man in the Penn
sylvania delegation in the Ffty-third
Congress, and created sensation in the
House by his speech against the repeal of
the Sherman purchasing act of the extra
session of that Congress. When Bry an
was nominated for President at Chicago
in 1896, Mr.. Sibley was offered the vice
presidential nomination, but declined it.
"Will you support the administ alton
in its colonial policy regarding Cuba and
the Philippines ?" Mr. Sibley was asked.
"Most assuredly. Every person who
has the welfare of his country at heart
ought to stand by President Mckinley
until the war in the Philippines is over
and also support him in his policy of ter
ritorial expansion. Why, sir" said Mr..
Sibley, with some emphasis, "if Presi-
dent Mckinley. should adopt any other
policy in the future than he has been
pursuing since the beginning of the war
with Spain, he would go down in history
the most generally condemned President
this country ever had. What would have
happened TO President Thomas jefferson
had he listened to the clamor against the
policy to purchase Louisiana? Would
he to-day be still living in the hearts of
his countrymen? l answer no. 1t was
the best thing that ever happened this
country that Mr.. Jefferson took the bold
stand he did on the Louisiana question"
"Then you think President McKinley's
territorial policy ought to be sustained?"
81 certainly do and if the opportunity
offers l will make a speech on the floor of
the house in support of his expansion
policy" replied Mr.. Sibley.
"Then you are not in favor of giving
independence to tho Cubans aud the Fill
ippinosT
81 am not prepared to say at present
whether l am opposed to giving them in
dependence or not" replied Mr.. Sibley.
"This is not the time to settle that ques-
ton. That will come latr and will
Tinally adjust ITSELF 1t is the duty of this
country to first bring the rebellion in
the Philippines to a hasty close and then
establish law and order in the islands.
After that, if Con lress thinks the inhab-
itants of Cuba and the Philippines are
capable of fself-government it may be a
good thing to give them trial. It's my
opinion, however, that it will b. many
years before the Filippinos will be capa-
BILE maintaining self-government. 1t
is different with the Cubans. They are
more intelligent than the Filippinos and
ought to become Americanized more
easily"
at is reported Mr. Sibley, that you are
no longer entirely in sympathy with the
Democratic party on the question of fr e
silver"
swell, l don't know about that" re-
piled Mr.. Sibley. "In my opinion free
silver is no longer an issue. The great
prosperity which the country is now en-
joying ought to be evidence enough TO
convince anybody that the financial pol
icy of the present administration is all
right on that question"
At this juncture Of the conversation
Mr.. Sibley excused himself to join his
family in ride about the city in his new
automobile.
During the interview Mr.. Sibley was
asked whether or not he thought Mr..
Roberts, the Mormon representative
elect from Utah, ought to be given his
seat in the house.
"Being one OF the Jurors in the case"
he said, ~ must decline to answer that
question. From a constitutional stand
point, however, will say that 1 do not
believe he will be seated"
1t is the general opinion here that Sib-
ley will vote against Roberts, although
he does not say it in just so many words.
-PjffSIu1,0 Terf}e,.