The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-02-03
CONGRESSIONAL.

OIIereu al amenumcnL IOr Ine pension
ing of ex-Confederate soldiers. He de-
clared that the position taken by the
south in the civil war was right, and
that every shot fred by Southern SOL
der was in defense of the rights of his
state, conferred by the constitution, in
self-defense and in defense of his home
and freside. Mr. Bate, Democrat, Of
Tennessee, himself a distinguished
Confederate soldier, said that the
Southern soldiers as a body, did not
desire pensions from the general gov
eminent, and he expressed his salts
faction that Mr.. Butler had with
drawn his amendment. The peace
treaty was again considered in execu-
tive session.
The House resumed debate on the
bill for the reorganization and in
crease of the army The feature
was an hours speech by Mr. Gros-
venor of Ohio, whose utterances,
rightly or wrongly, are frequently
supposed to reflect the views of the
President. Mr.. Grosvenor declared
most emphatically that the present
situation in the Philippines was due
to the opposition in this country to
the ratification of the peace treaty.
He announced that the future of the
islands was a matter for congress to
decide, and that for the President to
announce policy would be for him to
usurp the authority of Congress.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.- Not since
the stirring days before the declara-
ton of war last spring has the House
witnessed such an exhibition of excite
ment and such scenes of unbounded
enthusiasm as occurred yesterday
when the two Republicans, Mr.. John
son of Indiana and Mr.. Dolliver of
Iowa, locked horns on the question of
expansion. The army bill, which was
under debate, was swallowed up in
the broader question of our future ma
tional policy, and the debate was lift
ed from the dead level of mediocrity
into absolute brilliancy. Mr. Johnson
secured time from the Democratic side
TIC attack the position of the admins
tration. 1t was not the first time he
has broken away from his party on
public questions. On past occasions
he has won reputation as a master
of invective, and the knowledge that
he was to speak had attracted an
enormous crowd to the galleries Yes
terday ne added to his reputation.
With satire, irony and wit, the keen
thrusts of his logic were driven home.
His words flowed from him in q per-
feet torrent.
He denounced the proposition to an
mex the Philippines as subversive of
every tradition dear to the American
heart in the past and the Inauguration
of policy that would end in the
downfall of the republic. He said the
ratification of the treaty by the SEN
ate would sound the death knell of all
the efforts of those who were trying
to prevent the country from rushing
on to suicide, and declared if he were
a Senator he would rot in his seat be-
fore it should be ratified He de-
nounced the President as the slavish
follower of public opinion, but warned
him that the tide would recede and
the voice of the people would in time
rebulie him. Members stood in the
aisles ten deep while he was speaking,
but he tried to stop the applause which
continually broke out from the Demo-
cratic side. For almost two hours his
words poured forth.
When he had finished, Mr.. Dolliver
came to the defense of the admins
tration. One of the ablest debaters,
and perhaps the most eloquent men,
bers of the House, his reply set the
Republicans wild with enthusiasm.
He described how the President had
been fairly driven into war by those
who now sought TO embarrass him be-
fore peace was definitely obtained, and
his eulogy of the President, patiently
meeting all the perplexing problems
which beset him as the great events
of the year moved on, aroused his side
and the galleries to cheers. These
rang out again and again when he
paid an eloquent tribute to Admiral
OCWNNs anu OAObC III 1CAOhC0
when he declared that the course of
some members at both ends of the
capitol was almost treason"
But the highest pitch of excitement
was reached when Mr.. Johnson and
Mr.. Deliver got to close quarters
toward the end of the latter's speech.
Mr.. johnson pressed the defender Of
the administration to disclose the
Presidents ultimate purpose regard
ing the Philippines, but Mr.. Dolliver. for
some time adroidly evaded a direct re-
Spouse. At last he contented himself
with declaring that this was not the
point at issue, that the first thing was
to end the war by ratifying the treaty.
The future of the Philippines was a
question for the future. It was in
every respect remarkable debate.
The other speeches were completely
overshadowed by those of Mr. John,
son and Mr.. Deliver