Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-31
s5th CONGRESS-.
Continued from page ~

CONTINUED from page 1.)
expiration of the present Congress by
limitation.
Carter, Mont. discussing not only the
resolutions offered by Bacon, but also the
situation as 1t was presented TO the Sem
ate, declared that no public interest ana
no sound public policy required vote
upon the resolutions. at this session OF
Congress. A favorable vote upon any OF
the pending resolutions before the conclu-
sion of the work on the treaty or peace
would be "a vote of lack of confidence IN
the American people. That. ne thought,
was a preposterous proposition. The
treaty now under consideration did nor
render it either desirable or proper that
ture of the Philippine Islands. He az
clared that there was no disposition on
any hand to dispose of the Ph.lippines IN
ment and acute intellect of the American
people should dictate. So far as he WAS
personally concerned Carter said, he WAS
not disposed to mortgage the future or
to attempt to embarrass in any manner
the action of the Mex or of any Con-
crosses. The treaty oil not b.nd Cong ess
nance with the enlightened sense of the
American people. For what purpose,
therefore, he asked. do the gentlemen
who are urging the adoption of these res
olutions seek 10 bind the action of the
next Congress? He pointed out that our
information concerning the Philippines
and he desired ample time TO consider
what was wise and prudent and best 10
do with the newly acquired territory be-
fore definite action was taken
Mason inquired whether by the terms
of the treaty the United States did not
give to Spain certain trade rights in the
Philippines. Carter replied that ii did,
and that, If the sovereignty of the Islands
were transferred by this country to any
other nation 1t would be subject 10 those
"Then we do take the sovereignty of
the islands," inquired Mason. Carter re-
piled that in the very nature of things
it was in the possession OF Spain passed
by the treaty TO the United States. Con
tinuing his discussion of the pending res
olutions, Carter said the adoption of them
would be voluntary tying of the hands
of Congress and of the administrations.
Interrupting the speaker. Bacon said
that so far as his resolutions were con-
cerned there was no attempt in them 70
commit the government to any particular
policy except that it did not propose 70
exercise permanent sovereignty In the
Philippines.
Teller inquired if there was anything in
the resolutions to prevent the govern
ment from exercising at least temporary
sovereignty in the islands with the IN
tention, subsequently of allowing them
d lie heieysd ,nn' ,n of
United States to exercise some sort of
control over the islands at least tor Il
time.
Teller then offered an amendment to
the resolutions covering his point and
Bacon accepted it.
We're belittling the dignity and destroy
ing the confidence reposed in this county
by foreign nations by endeavoring TO
mortgage the future policy of the gov
eminent and voting lack of confidence
in the nation by even attempting TO
adopt such resolutions as were pending.
He declared that the passage OF Sucn
acts was IL declaration that the people
had no confidence in those who were 10
be in position to make Il disposition OF
the islands in accordance with the terms
of the treaty. 1t amounted to Il pledge 10
ourselves that We did not propose TO do
what we did not want TO do. 1t would
have been as just and proper he said, for
the 1st Congress to attempt to bind Cong |
ress for 100 years as for this Congress 70
attempt to bind the action in Il matter or
This kind of any future Congress.
The adoption of these resolutions he
declared, would be pledge to those
who are defyng the authority OF the
pine islands. AS Il nation, we cannot al
ford to have ii understood that the
those islands. Some OF the Philippine m
surrection seems to have been imported
by way of Hong kong-p hilippine junta
into this country. | would not vote for
such petty, trifng promise, even II IT
were TO take the entire army OF the
United States to show the Aggregation OF
Malays, Mohammedans and FlllplnnS
who doubt our authority that we would
not bulge one inch
Carter thought TINS country Heeutu a
change in it's foreign policy and though
our trade would not amount to much
abroad until it was once thoroughly UNI
derstood that an American citizen would
be protected in all his rights in any part
of the world He thought it shame 10
the United States government that many
of it's citizens, seeking protection, passed
by the American consulate and entered
those of Great Britain or France.
Replying to a question by Mason. car !
ter said that the power of the United
States was the only authority To-Day
recognized in the Philippines. Beng
the only responsible government there,
said he, 'the safety of every citizen on
those islands be he German, English or
what not rests upon us. we cannot
with propriety say to the rebel forces on
those islands we will give you every
thing we have fought for if you Will only
permit us to ratify the treaty OF peace
with Spain We will inquire when TINS
treaty shall have been ratified, who IN
those islands is in rebellion against our
government. If they do not recognize the
rights and authority we shall exercise
there, we will whip them to death. inc
soldiers of the United States VIII not
withdraw from these islands until prop
er and stable government shall have been
established there.
The Senate then ut o'clock. on mo-
ton of Davis. went into executive SEES
sion. At $40 the Senate adjourned