The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-28
BILL PASSES THE SENATE BY A
VOTE OF IS TO 13.
The House Passes the Army and Fortifica-
tons Bills-Vigorous Discussion Of
the Philippine Policy,

-
to-day the Senate began the last week of
the short session of the F'ifty-tIfth
Congress. An unusually large number
of Senators was present, owing, prob
ably, to the great amount of important
unfinished business before the Senate.
Mr.. Cullom 1lls.), presented the confer
cnce report ON the Agricultural Appro-
priation Bill and it was agreed to-
MIR. Allison Uowa) presented the con-
ference report on the Indian Appropria-
tion Bill. After some explanation of the
report it was agreed to by the Senate.
Mr. Chandler (N. h, offered an
amendment to the Naval Appropriation
Bill authorizing the President to appoint
two Vice Admirals of the Navy who
shall not be placed on the retired hist
until eight years after the passage
of the bill, except upon the application
of the holder of the offices, the Offices
TO cease to exist when vacated 10y death
or otherwise.
This bill is intended to advance Admi-
rails Sampson and Sdhley.
At the conclusion of morning busi-
ness consideration was resumed of the
Army Reorganization Bill. Mr.. Bate
(Tenn.), member of the Military Com
mite addressed the Senate on the gen
eral features of the bill.
He regarded the measure as probably
the most important of the present ses-
sion. IT was, he thought. one of the
consequences of the action of Congress
in taking in Hawaii, an action unc0nsti-
tutional as he regarded it. He did not
approve of such ap increase OF the army
as was proposed III the bin. 1t was such
an enormdty in that respect that it has
shocked the public. He thought III this
time of "semi-peace," at least, we ought
to be able to reduce instead of enlarge
the army. He objected to the bill be-
cause it provided twice as many men as
the exigencies Of the situation required;
because it made invidious distinctions
between regulars and volunteers against
the latter; and because it was an enter
ing wedge which makes us depend upon
the regular army instead of upon the
consent of the people themselves. He
declared that the honor of the country
did not depend upon our conquest of
the Filipinos. He held that the United
States ought not to pay the S20,000,000
for the Philippines until Spain was able
TO deliver the goods in warranty. if
we were compelled to fight for control
in the Philippines we ought to charge
the cost against the $20,000,000 said to
be due Spain.
Further he maintained that Congress
ought to be cautious about granting
great standing army, because the Presi-
dent had not declared his policy as to
the Philippines and had not asked Con
gress for any additional troops Until
the President indicated to Congress his
policy and purposes no additional troops
should be granted him.
MIR. Bate said he did not think tie
situation in the Philippines was partic-
ularly serious according to the reports
from General Otis. He felt that we
ought to do no more in those islands than
TO hold what we now have. We ought
TO wait until the DENLY commission arri-
we'd at Manila and had had opportunity
to confer with the Eilipinos. Let us
send the Bible and the Cross ahead Of
the army and show Christian spirit
said he, ''by which we can bring about
Cancellation and save the honor of the
country"
Mr.. Vest antagonized the bill, although
he said he did so with hesitation, be-
cause of its strong advocacy by his col
league, Mr. Cockrell. He declared his
belief that the war in the Philippines
was not being conducted with the idea
of giving the F'ilipinos self-government.
Il believe" he said that this Gov
ernment is TO take the Philippines as
an indemnity for the war with Spain.
1t has been so stated in the imperialistic
press. But / ask now whether it is true
that the President telegraphed to our
commissioners to take nothing less than
the island of Iuzon, as Porto Rico was
sA worth only S40,000000 and would mot
be proper indemnity for the war. |
sSk now whether such dispatch was
sent
Mr.. FRYE, one of the peace commits
siOners: There was not"
Mr. Vest: is the statement true or
false?"
Mr. Frye: ut is not true"
Mr. Vest: WAS there not dispatch
sent that nothing less than the Island
Of Luzon would be accepted?"
Mr.. Frye: The instructions OF the
President when we started out, We're
To take Luzon.
Mr.. Vest: WAS no mention made of
Porto Rico not being sufficient indemnity
for the war;"
Mr.. Frye: Not at ALL The Senator
has heard read in executive session
every telegram, cable and letter of in
struction that passed between the Presi
dent and the peace commissioners"
Mr.. Vest: THE statement ] have
made was published in the imperialistit
press of the country, and it has never
been contradicted until the Senator
(Frye) contradictcd it now"