The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-17
WORK OF CONGRESS

/ WORK OF CONGRESS
Washington, Feb. Cat the begin
ming of Saturdays session OF the SEN
! ate Mr.. Allen Of Nebraska offered the
following resolution:
1.-The senate or the United States in
ratifying the treaty of Paris, does not
commit itself or the government to the
doctrine that the islands acquired by
virture Of the war with Spain are to be
annexed to or to become q part Of the
United States, and that the difference
in the language of said treaty as re-
spects the island of Cuba and it's in
habitants and the island of Porto Rico
and Philippine islands and their in
habitants shall not be construed or be
held to be a difference in effect, but
that it is the intention and purpose of
the senate in ratifying said treaty to
place the inhabitants Of the Philippine
islands and Porto Rico in exactly the
same position as respects their rela-
lions to the United States as are the
inhabitants Of Cuba"
Mr.. Allen gave notice that he would
address the senate upon the resolution
to-day. Mr.. Chiffon Of Texas then ad-
dressed the senate on the various anti
expansion resolutions. He asserted
that he was not an anti-eXpansionist
or anti-anneXationist. Within proper
bounds he regarded it as the duty OF
this country to widen it's bounds. He
thought the acquisition of Porto Rico
and the island of Guam was we'll
thought, but in the acquisition of the
Philippines grave public policy was
involved. He believed that the acqui-
sition involved serious perils and
dangers to our government. Mr.. Chill
ton finished at 1 90 and Mr.. Wolcott Of
Colorado followed. He said he stood
by his government. and would have
supported any treaty presented by the
commissioners. Mr.. Wolcott denounced
the wrangling over the treaty. The
senators who We're few months ago
so certain that the Cubans We're capa-
hle Of lf-government are now as sure
that the people of the Philippines were
also capable Of such government.
In the House.
The house passed the military acad-
envy appropriation bill, carrying about
100000. 1t served as text for
speech by Mr.. Griggs of Georgia on
the presidents suggestion that the
government care for the graves of the
Confederate dead. He referred to the
devotion of Southern men to the coun-
try from the days of AppomattoX to
those of Santiago. Let there be an end
to the constant reiteration, he urged,
Of reconciliation between the sections.
That reconciliation had long ago been
accomplished, and with the new gen.
GRAFTON Of the South, the younger men,
there was no need Of reconciliation as
there had been no separation. I'VE &C.
cept the words of the president in good
faith" said Mr.. Griggs, but we insist
that this shall be the last reconcilia-
lions of the sections. Let this he the
final ratification of the treaty of peace
between the North and South" Mr..
Griggs' speech was warmly applauded
and he received many congratulations.
Washington, Feb. yesterday was
day Of excitement and severe strain in
the senate. The fact that the treaty
w3s to be voted upon and that the re-
suit was hanging in the balance served
to keep senators on both sides OF the
chamber at high tension. Mr.. Allen
of Nebraska addressed the senate in
the morning hour in favor of the rati-
fication of the treaty but in opposition
to expansion. MI. German followed
with notable speech. in the course OF
which he took Mr.. Wolcott to task for
some statements in the latters speech
a few days ago in which Mr. German
thought reference was made to him.
After the ratification Of the treaty the
senate. in open session, took ND a Joint
resolution offered by Mr.. McEnery de-
caring policy for the Philippines,
and an effort was made to adopt it,
nut the debate occupied so much time
That the resolution went over until to-
day.
The House.
Yesterday was suspension day in the
house and quite number OF bills We're
passed, several OF them of Importance.
The census bill prepared by the house
committee went through by a vote of
147 to ~. A bill was passed to extend
the anti-contract labor laws over the
Hawaiian islands, and another bill was
passed to refer forty-four war claims
for stores and supplies to the court Of
claims. A bill was passed to create a
national military park on the site of the
battle of Vicksburg; also to grant 49,
600 acres OF land in Alabama to the
girls industrial school Of the state.
Senate resolutions were adopted au-
thoriZing cadets from Costa Rica and
Colombia to enter Annapolis.
Washington, Feb. S.-For two hours
or more the senate had the resolution
declaratory of policy of this govern
ment in the Philippines under consid-
GRAFTON, but no vote was reached and
the resolution went finally to the cal
endar. In accordance with notice
given tic previous evening Mr.. Till
man Addressed the senate upon the
resolution, making a characteristic and
picturesque argument. He maintained
that a clear. eXDlicit and direct reSOlll-