The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-20
TURNER NOT |MPER|AL|ST
A Constitutional Argument on
the Vest Resolution.
SHIP OF STATE DRIFTING
The Philippines Should Be Given Their
Independence - Foraker Denied
That He Spoke for the
President.

washington, Jan. 19.--The senate lis
tened to-day to discussion of the policy
of expansion. Mr.. Turner of Washing
ton delivered a carefully prepared
speech on the Vest resolution. The
speech was for the most part con-
stitutional argument, in which Mr..
Turner took issue with Mr.. Platt and
MIR. Foraker upon their recent utter
ances. At the conclusion of Mr. Tur-
sharp exceptions to statements made in
the speech, especially those referring to
him personally. He explained at
length, the nature of his statements,
declaring that he had spoken only for
himself, and had had no intention or
the administration. The Nicaragua
canal bill was under considera ton
nearly three hours. After much debate,
a substitute presented by Morgan of
Alabama, for the bond amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Allison was adopted. 1t
provides that the secretary of the
treasury shall not pay out for work on
the canal more than $20000,O0O during
any fiscal year. Earnest efforts We're
made to amend the measure in other
particulars, but all failed.
The joint session directing the secre-
tary of war to have made a survey and
estimate of the cost of the channel be-
tween Galveston and Texas City was
adopted.
Senator Turner then took the floor to
addres the senate on the anti-expansion
resolution of Senator Vest He opposed
our acquiring the Philippines, and said
the noble ship of state. it's chart hav-
ing been torn to tatterS was now drift
ing whittier she would on a wild and
unknown sea. This dangerous cond-
tfon, he said, was being forced upon
people by the pretense that providence
has cast upon us new responsibilities
which we may not shirk.' He could
not agree, however. that this dangerous
responsibility was one for the Ameri-
can people to assume This country
was at liberty to retain such foreign
territory as it had conquered If it 50
desired, but he denied our only other
resource, was to give back conquered
territory to the enemy.
IF we keep it to ourselves" said he
1--WE may require it to- be given to peo-
pie who fnhabit it, for the purpose Of
independence and liberty" This. he
believed, was the proper course to Iur-
sue.
Advice of Washington.
The advice of Washington, he said
was against entangling alliances which
might overcome the great advantage
of our detached situation. Passing
from the domain of prudence to that Of
principle, Mr.. Turner maintained that
the proposition of power urged by
many, breaks down every fundamental
principle on which our institutions al e
founded
the principles of the declaration of in
dependence that taxation without re-
presentation is tyranny, and that the
powers of government are derived from
the consent of the governed could no
longer be a guide to our statesmen
Senator may say he declared, that
their positions do not lead to those
things, but there is only one escape
from them, universal miscegenation
of blood, of religion and of government
with the yellow Buddhist. Mahometan
and Confucian over whom it is pro
posed to extend our protecting wing
and with whom it proposes to attempt
the process of deglutition and digestion,
disguised under the Christian and
eurhorious I anne CT benevolent assim-
iliZation.'
Mr.. Turner adverted to the statement
of Mr.. Foraker a few days ago that it
was not the purpose of the United
States to retain the Philippines perma-
nently, but he said he was forced to
differ from the Ohio senator because
he found in the treaty which had been
negotiated under the direction of the
president "every evidence of such a
opinion of the distinguished senator
from Ohio"
He referred to that part of the treaty,
he said. which made not only a ces-
sion to this country of sovereignty over
the Philippines, but an acceptance by
us of that sovereignty. 1t was impos-
sible to forget, too, that the treaty was
negotiated in the midst of a clamor
for an extension of our dominions AS
further proof of his position. Mr. Tur-
ner referred to the presidents speech
at Atlanta, in which he asked:
who is there that will dare to haul
down the American flag from the soil
upon which it has once been plant
ed?"
The Meaning Plain.
He said the president had made the
meaning of the administration too
plain for controversy. Mr.. Turner,
after referring to the speeches of Mr..
Platt of Connecticut and Mr.. Foraker.
entered upon discussion of the consti-
tutional phases of the subject. MAIN
tanning that the resolution of Mr.. Vest
was correct statement OF principle,
founded upon the work of "our faith
ers.' He quoted extensively from au-
thorities in support of his argument
In conclusion Mr.. Turner said:
1T is well enough to have the pleas
ing thought that we are a great peo-
pie. and there is no responsibility that
can be thrust upon us which we cannot
meet and face and accomplish with
safety. That this is true all NAV well
believe
wrought in vain and we of this day are
degenerate children. But it is the
height of quixotism and is the reverse
of the teachings of the fathers to go
around in the world hunting RESPONSE
bilities and courting dangers, because
We are able to meet them.
Mr.. President, the American people
are not lacking in the faith and courage
of the fathers the senator from Con-
necticut inyokes. They have some
times, however. for a brief period
lacked in the wisdom of the fathers:
but in every case the alteration has
been temporary. When the excitement
or passion or interest which led them