The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-26
Mr.. DOLLIVER'S ABLE REPLY
THE IOWAN ELOQUENTLY DEFENDS
THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION.
Praises the President and Declares
the Course of some Members of Con-
gress to he Almost Treason.
speclal to the 1ndianapolIs journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON Jan. 25.-This was a red
letter day of debate in the House. Henry
Z. Johnson, of Indiana, and Jonathan p.
Dolliver, of Iowa, were pitted against each
other. Both able, both eloquent, both
earnest, they held the House and galleries
in rapt attention for more than two hours.
johnson spoke first. He always speaks from
profound convictions, and with the absolute
courage of his convictions, whether he
agrees with his party or anybody else. He
was never in better trim than to-day. He
spoke with great rapidity but with reso-
nant voice and distinct enunciation. Dolli-
YER forms a striking contrast to Johnson in
appearance and manner of speaking-heavy
of form, while Johnson is slender; deliber-
ate, while Johnson is rapid; dark, while
Johnson is blonde-in short, Dolliver is at
all points physically the opposite of John
son. Pitted against each other as the adj
vocates of different policies, they seemed
like the champions of different races. Not
in this Congress, not in many Congresses.
has scene of such interest been witnessed
One where two men of such great ability,
such powers of argument such skill in dia-
lectics, such mental resources come to-
gether as rivals in debate. 1t was an occa-
sion worthy of the earlier and greater days
Of tho Republic. One could, in imagina-
ton, see the shades of Webster and Clay.
of Calhoun and Quincy Adams, of Fisher
Ames and Henry Winter Davis lowering
approvingly about the House which had
witnessed some of their most signal tri-
umphs.
Floor and galleries were crowded. Each Of
the champions had an hour, the maximum
limit set sixty years ago on speeches in the
House Each had band Of enthusiastic fol-
lowers ready to applaud to the echo every
telling point. johnson took the floor first.
On this occasion, as on that when he OPP
posed the war with Spain, he was not in ac-
cord with his party. His speech was an elo-
quent and brilliant piece of pessimsm. It's
keynote was distrust of the President. dis
trust of the people, distrust of the future
Its coloring was dark and somber. He de-
clared the Filipinos capable of self-govern-
ment but insisted that whether they were
or not, the United States had no business
in the islands. lie set Aguinado on a PIN
nacle beside Washington, if not above him.
lie denounced the policy of the President as
to the Philippines as one of evasion. lie
was loudly and literally applauded by the
Democrats every time he scored point or
reached climax, except when he declared
AiAstb tue 1LESiuSul y course Ill Young Tor
and supporting the merit system in the civil
service met with his approval. Not Demo-
crat applauded that declaration, thus show
ing it was not Johnson's spirit of independ-
enee they approved, but his agreement with
them. In fact that civil-service utterance did
not "get a hand"
Dollyer gained great applause from the
Republicans in his reply. He gave a very
humorous description of the meeting be-
tween Bryan and Carnegie in New York
as "anti-imperialists." lie punctured john
sons arguments and dulled or turned aside
his points, to the great delight of his side
But wnen Johnson pumped the direct cues
ton at him, Are you in favor of the forci-
bic annexation of the Philippines and com
polling them to submit to government by
this country without their will or consent?"
Deliver tried hard TO dodge. Johnson wait
ed for an answer. but, none coming he
propounded his question again. Deliver
made labored, roundabout reply. john
son, seeing his advantage. that Dolliver
either could not or would not make 4
straight answer, yes or no, pressed him
harder and harder to the delight of the
Democrats. Johnson got a few minutes in
which &c reply. lie declared he would not
try to reply TO Delivers "glittering gem
eralities.' as they were not worth answer
ing. lie once more challenged Deliver 10
answer his question, whether he CDolliyer)
was in favor of the forcible annexation of the
Philippines. Failing to receive direct am
swer. johnson concluded by characterizing
Delivers speech as Three cheers for the
flag and God save William Mckinley" and
sat down amid a whirlRind of Democratic
applause.
Dolliver then took the floor for a few
minutes and closed his remarks for the day
with a sentence that won for him the ran
turous applause Of the Republicans. He
started out however. by intimating that
Johnson, while his flow Of language was as
great as ever. was losing his mental faeul-
ties. 1t was an unfortunate remark for
Deliver Quick as a lash. johnson fired
back at Dolliyer: Il can give a stralgh
answer to a simple question, and that's mors
than you can do" incidentally, it may be
mentioned that the debate was on the Hui
army reorganization bin. But that was