Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-03
55th CONGRESS-.
Senator Spooner Urges Rati-
fcation Of Peace Treaty.
House Passes River and Harbor Bill
by Vote Of 100 to Z.
Feb. II Set Apart Tor Tributes 10 Memory
Of Late Mr.. Dingley.

W AatC UsUysVys
Washington, Feb. "A notable
speech was made in the Senate, today,
by Mr.. Spooner of Wisconsin. He took
for his text the anti-expansion resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Vest, but did not
confine himself closely to that propos-
ed declaration of policy. He discussed
the question of expansion in all of its
phases and urged the ratification of
the peace treaty as the best means of
bringing the burning question home to
the people themselves, who. he said,
could well be trusted on the sober sec
ond thought to do that which would be
fair. just and generous toward the in
habitants of the Philippine archipel-
ago.
Mr.. Spooner spoke for three hours
and through his brilliant oratory, fine
ability as a close and astute reasoner.
splendid qualities as an advocate and
adroitness and cleverness at reparte.
held the careful attention of an un-
usually large number of senators and
IA large audience in the galleries.
At the conclusion of his speech he
received the warm congratulations of
many of his colleagues notably among
whom was Mr.. Tlllman, S. c., with
whom he had Il sharp personal tilt in
the course Of his argument.
When the Senate convened, Elkins.
w. Va, presented the credentials of
Nathan u. Scott. elected senator from
,,,t. ia ,kT
beginning March 4. 1889. They were
filed.
Plat. N. Y, laid before the Senate
the resolution adopted by the Legisla-
ture OF New York, urging the immedi-
ate ratification of the peace treaty. In
this connection, Chandler of N. H..
called the attention of senators to SINH
lar resolutions adopted by the Legis-
lature of New Hampshire.
Hall, Perkins and Faulkner We're
named as the committee on conference
for the Senate on the consul and diplo-
matte appropriation bill.
Aldrich, Il. L., presented q number of
memorials from business mems ASSOC
clans of Boston, New York and Chi
cago, urging that the territory except
Cuba, acquired by the United States
during the late war be retained until
such time as Congress may determine
it's final disposition
Tillman, S. c.. offered the following
resolution, which was adopted:
THAT the President be requested, If
not incompatible with the public interest,
to inform the Senate whether any fran
chises or concessions of any character
are being or have been granted by any
municipality in Cuba and Porto Rico
since the military occupation thereof
by the United States. If so what they
are. for what length of time and au-
thority by which they have been
granted"
Spooner, Wis, addressed the Senate
upon the Vest anti-expansion resolu-
ton. He said: Il find no objections.
constitutional in nature, to the ratifi-
cation Of the pending treaty. The sena-
tors from Connecticut, (Platt), Colora-
do (Teller). Ohio (Foraker). and Mime
sofa (Nelson). have fully presented the
views on that point which entertain"
IF l held the view that the United
States could not, within its constitu-
tional limitations, acquire territory
-,
could not give my consent to the ac-
QUESTION of the Philippine islands. This
Philippine proposition is one of the
fruits of the war to me one of the bitter
fruits. ] can conceive of no circum-
stances under which l could give my
consent to the admission of that archi-
pelago as a state, or as more than one
state, of the American Union.
Spooner then presented an argument
in contravention of Chief Justice Tan
ney's decision in the bred Scot case.
which. he said, was the foundation of
all the opposition to the acquisition of
territory by this government.
Spooner said that Judge Tanney's de-
cision was such an argument as a
learned. able and ingenious lawyer
would have made who held a brief for
African slavery.
Spooner maintained that the United
States undoubtedly had the power. as
has had been previously shown in the
Senate to acquire territory beyond our
own domain. and with that power was
of course. the collateral au-
thority to govern that territory
Bacon. Ga. called Spooners atten-
ton to the fact that the doctrine that
the United States had no power to ac-
quire foreign territory except with the
of comforting upon it state
hood, did not rest alone upon Justice
decision. More than 40 years
before the decision was promulgated
Representative Quincy in the House
had laid down the same principle.
To this Spooner maintained that the
doctrine laid down by Mr.. Quincy did
not effect his argument. and he pointed
out how impossible it was that these
dicta should be taken as a permanent
of the constitution. He
knew of no reason why territory and
the people of a territory should not be
by Congress. as every right
to life, liberty, property and trial by
jury would be fully safeguarded
Tillman inquired IF we accept the
would the inhabitants
thereof have the right to come without
hindrance to this country"
Spooner-Yes. For the purpose OIL my
argument l am disposed to admit It,
Platt, Conn.-They now have that
right. ..,
Tillman inquired whether the innapi,
tants Of a territory could be preventen
from entering the states. Spo0ner saia
the senator from Connecticut (Piaty VS.
inclined to believe they could DC, put nc
himself doubted it.