The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-03
PEACE TREATY DEBATE
SPEECH BY SENATOR SOONER IN
FAVOR OF RATIFICATION.
A Tilt with "PitchfOrker, TiIIman-
Policy Declaration Resolutions May
Be Voted on To-day.

Vest. but did not confine himself closely to
that proposed declaration of policy. He dis
cussed 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 their sober second thought to do
that which would be fair, just and gener-
GUS towards the inhabitants of the Philip
pine archipelago. Mr.. Spooner spoke for
three hours and through his brilliant ora
tory, fine ability as a close and astute reas-
oner, splendid qualities as an advocate and
adroitness and cleverness at repartee held
the careful attention of an unusually large
number of senators and a large audience in
the galleries. At the conclusion of his speech
he received the warm congratulations of
many of his colleagues, notable among
whom was Mr.. Tillman, with whom he had
had a sharp personal tilt in the course of
his argument
The executive session of the Senate to-day
was merely a continuation of the legal ar
gument which started with Mr.. Spooner's
speech in the open Senate 1t grew out of
the question of Senator Tillman concerning
the status of the Filipinos with reference
to citizenship in case the cessiOn of the Phil
lpplDc lSlduuS SnOuIu DC dCC6pl6u. oCAeNtoA
Hoar made set argument, quoting literally
from authorities in support of the conten-
ton that they would become citizens and
be entitled to all the rights and privileges
as such under the Constitution This view
was antagonized by Senator'S Teller, Nelson
and Platt, of Connecticut. Senator Nelson
referred to the acquisition of territory from
France and Spain during the history of the
INF
to show that the Indians in such territory
were not citizens. Mr.. Platt made the point
that citizens of territories were not full
fedged citizens, and Mr.. Teller contended
that they were not until they were made
such by congressional enactment.
MAY VOTE ON RESOLUTIONS TO-DAY.
Senator Davis, in charge of the treaty, ex-
pressed the opinion after the adjournment
Of the Senate tonight that a vote would
be secured tomorrow on the resolutions
pending in the Senate declaratory of the
country's future attitude towards the Fill
pinos in case of the ratification of the
treaty The first vote will be on the Bacon
resolution, which will probably be voted
down. A vote will then be taken on a reso-
luton more acceptable to the majority,
probably that offered by Mr. Sullivan, which
Daniel will speak on the treaty in the open
Senate tomorrow and Senator Morgan in
executive session.
While Mr. Spooner was speaking to-day
Mr.. Tillman inquired IF we accept the
Philippines would the inhabitants of that
territory have the right to come without
hindrance to this country"
Mr.. Spooner replied: Yes; for the pur-
poses Of my argument am disposed to adj
nit it,"
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut-They have that
right now
MIR. Tiilman inquired whether the inhab-
itants of a territory could be prevented
from entering the States.
Mr.. Spooner said the senator from Con-
necticut (Mr. Piatt) was inclined to believe
they could be, but he himself doubted it.
Mr.. Tillman further along pressed his
question as to the right of the Filipinos to
come here, and declared that by admitting
the islands by treaty ten million people of
that territory could take the first ship for
this country, and upon arrival here could
enter into competition with American labor.
That was the reason why he would vote
Mr. Spooner said he had no doubt about
the constitutionality of the cession of the
Philippines, or of our right to accept them
or of the Presidents authority to govern
in those islands until Congress should pro-
vide a proper government for them. He re-
ferred to the capture of Havana by the
British and the subsequent transfer of the
control of the city back to Spain, and
maintained that, although Spain may have
governed the colony by tyrannical methods,
it still had complete sovereignty.
A TILT WITH TILI1MAN.
Shortly afterwards Mr.. Tillman again in
terrupted Mr. Spooner with the statement
that if Mr.. Spooner had been present at
yesterdays session he would not have made
certain statements. He then proceeded to
cite from the reports of the United States
consul at Manila certain facts concerning
the progress of the revolution against Span
ish rule in the islands.
Mr.. Spooner said that no government as
had been contended on the floor of the SEN
ate, had been established in the Philip
pines islands 1t could not be seriously re-
garded as a government, as it was nothing
more than a tin-horn affair at best
Mr.. Tillman again interrupting the Wis
consin senator. and again holding aloft the
document which he held said: Unless the
senator withdraws his imputationS against
the good faith and honesty of AguinaIGo /
will read what / have here"
Mr.. Spooner: Il have made no reference
to Aguinaldo."
Your remarks about Aguinaldo," re-
torted Mr.. Tillman, were made in sneer-
ing and airy manner indicating no respect"
Mr.. Spooner: If the senator from Aguin-
aldo will permit me to pursue my argu-
ment in my own way 1 will be grateful. /
have said nothing about Agunaldo and do
not care to have ny speech anticipated"
Mr.. Spooner then explained that he had not
been present yesterday on account of ILL
ness ana was anxious, on account of his
pilS SlNdt cOIOItlOi 10 compete MS aTRu-
ment as soon as possible.
Mr.. Tillman: In the circumstances I will
not again interrupt the senator and will
even endure the sheer about my being a
senator from Aguinaldo."
Mr.. Spooner promptly withdrew his refer
ence to Mr.. Tillman and then proceeded
with his discussion of the so-called Flip
Pine republic In conclusion, he said: Il am
not thrilled by the jingle about not hauling
down our flag when it has once been raised
1t has been hauled down in former times;
it will be hauled down again. We will not
keep it afioat In Cuba but we will take it
down there. leaving behind it liberty and an
Independent government. / hope this also
may be soon true in the Philippines and in
saying this l do not consider / am incon-
sistent."
WAR CRUEL, But ANARCHY HE'LL.
If the ratification of the treaty involved
permanent dominion he said, he would not
vote for it. But he had not been able to
find any halfway resting place between ac-
cepting the cession and abandoning the
islands to their fate, and this was not per-
missble The President, kind and generous
as he is, would not have TO make a treaty
leaving the Philippine archipelago to the
lust, the savagery and the brutality of
Spanish rule. To have attempted this course
s--.s@a-..--a.--azzzas-z-z.--.a-