The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-12


ton Of polygamy, in which the Justice
said: 1T would be absurd to say that
a nation has power to acquire territory
and not the power to govern it,"
This was late decision on the same
lines as that Of Chief Justice Marshall
In the early days of the republic. Such
being the authorities, what ground, he
asked, have the supporters Of the res
olution to stand upon?
Vest contended in his speech that his
tory was against the assumption of this
power to establish colonial governments
and that the character of our war for
independence demonstrated that the
men Of that day would not have coun-
tenanced such a proceeding On the
contrary, Foraker held that there was
no complaint in revolutionary times of
colonial policy. There were many
complaints on other scores, but none
on this, so that it must be assumed
that they had no such object as The
Missouri Senator had contended. On
the contrary, there were indications
that they had in mind the possibility of
the acquisition of territory, and For
aker quoted from Governor Morris let
ter to Mr.. Livingston, in which he said
that the United States was destined to
control the whole of the territory Of
North America.
Foraker then took up that part of the
argument of Vest in support of the res
olution in which he based his state
ments upon the Scott decision He an
alyzed the decision, showing that ma
jority of the court did not support the
position with reference to the acquisi-
ton and government of territory that
Vest said it did, and that really only
one of the Associate Justices stood
squarely with Chief Justice fancy in
support of the full force Of the decision.
Foraker then entered upon a consti-
tutional argument in reply to the points
made by Vest in his speech in support
of the resolution and by Caffery of
Louisiana in support of the resolution.
An assertion of the temporary char
aeter of our possession of the Philip
pines created a stir in the chamber.
Foraker reiterated it. 1--WE could not
desert the people of the islands," he
said, land subject them. to the risks of
disorder, anarchy, misrule and mob
rule while they might be still unfit for
self-goverrment. But our occupation
was not to be permanent.
Il do not understand that any one
desires anything but the ultimate in
dependence of the people of the Philip
pines" said he, enphaticadly, neither
the President nor any one in this cham
ber"
But what about our right, if we
choose to hold them permanently, with
no thought of their ultimate independ-
ence?" inquired Hoar
I'VE have an unquestioned right to
do So" replied Foraker 81 speak par
ticularly of our legal right
What of the statement about haul
ing down the American f1ag?" inter-
jected Hoar.
No one desires to retain the Philip
pines permanently" replied Foraker
again. THE President is as much a
lover Of liberty, truth and justice as is
the Senator from Massachusetts, and
his love of liberty goes out to the peo-
pie of the Philippines as unerring as
his own
Then we are to understand that the
statement that the American flag is not
to be hauled down." said Hoar. "does
not mean that we are to hold perpetual
domain? If the people of the Philip
pines believe their happiness can be
best secured by government. they
are to be given an opportunity to gov
ern themselves? ''
With the determination of the ulti-
mate policy respecting the Philippines. -
replied Foraker, their feelings will have
much to do. No one, so far as I am
able to learn, is prepared by force and
violence to take and hold them. I am
willing to trust the Administration. /
have no sympathy with those who talk
of making war on Aguinaldo. any more
than / had with those who talked of
making war on Gomez"
Thank God for that" murmured
Hoar from his seat, but in voice aud
ible through the chamber.
II repeat" continued Foraker chat
we had four choices as to what we
should do, and I affirm that the Presi-
dent acted wisely. 1t is now for Con-
gress to investigate whether the Fill
pinos are capable of self-government,
and whether they desire self-govern-
ment. We will know in a short time
what the feeling of the population of
the islands is. Then we can act intelli-
gently and I know we viii act JUSTLY
In conclusion, Foraker said he would
place in the record the recent procla-
nation of the President to the insur-
gents as declaration of the spirit and
purpose of the United States.
When he took his seat there was a
demonstration of approval from the
galleries, which was unchecked by the
presiding officer
At the conclusion of Foraker,s sneech
Allen of Nebraska continued briefly the
debate upon the constitutional oues-
lions relating to the acquisition of the
Phlllppines. He combatted the posi-
ton taken by Foraker, maintaining
that the United States Government
could not constitutionally acquire the
Philippine Islands without the ultimate
object in view of admitting them into
the Union as State.
AT $40 O'clock, on motion of Davis.
Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, the Senate went into execu-
tive session.
AT the conclusion Of the executive
session Morgan of Alabama announced
that Sullivan Of Mississippi was not
ready to proceed with his speech on the
Nicaragua Canal bill, and on his mo-
ion, al 3:3o p M, the Senate adjourned
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE House
to-day completed and passed the bill
for the codification Of the criminal laws
of Alaska. upon which it has been
working internationally for week.