The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1899-01-31
WORK OF CONGRESS-

.bn nOlicy OF eApdHHIon occupIeu HedT-
:, ~ oil the time of the senate in open
y ,ssion Yesterday. Mr.. White of Cali
s ser,ia one of the Democrats who has
Iuu,nlonnced heretofore his opposition to
a..ti6catfon of the treaty of peace, adj
t1.oespd the senate in support of the
u VII ttiovnansion resolution introduced
4n' AR Vest and another resolution of
e.y.od nv Mr.. Bacon declaring that the
pbilippines ought to be free and indie
landent. Mr.. White is brilliant
ppnnokpr and he was complimented by
SfS colleagues and q large audience in
tbo galleries with careful attention. He
All not enter into a discussion of ex-
uansion as a policy of this govern
PI,ont He maintained that such a pol
inv was contrary to its history and ira
ditions He declared his opposition to
Tho ratification of the pending treaty
If peace, but broadly fntimated that
declaration of definite policy on the
mart of the administration woul.l very
much simplify the situation, and, as
matter of good faith ought not to be
ontagonized by the advocates Of the
treaty's ratification.
In the House.
II was District of Columbia day in
the house and the major portion of the
day was devoted to local legislation
The only action of public opinion was
the passage of the bill to extend the
navigation laws of the United States
to the Hawaiian islands. One of the
provisions of the bill grants American
register to all vessels flying the Ha-
waiian flag owned by Hawaiian citi-
zens July Z, 1898.
Washington, Jan. %. = Two notable
speeches were delivered in the senate,
one by Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts
and the other by Mr.. Clay of Georgia.
While the senators differed diamet-
really as to the policy of expansion,
upon which they dwelt, both are in ia
yor of the immediate ratification of the
pending peace treaty. They contend
that once the treaty is ratified congress
will have full power to deal with con-
ditiOnS respecting the territory ac-
quired during the war with Spain, and
not before. Mr.. Lodge particularly
argued for a formal declaration Of
peace, which could be had only on the
ratification of the treaty. That ac-
complished, he was willing to trust the
American congress and the American
people to deal fairly, justly and patri-
0tically with the Philippine islands,
with full regard to the principles OF
our own government as set forth in the
constitution and the declaration of in
dependence. Mr.. Clay was inclined to
the belief that it might be desirable for
congress to make n declaration of in
tentiOn regarding the Philippines be-
fore the treaty was ratified. He
strongly opposed expansion practically
on the ground that it would neceSSltate
the maintenance of an expensive
standing army.
The House.
The debate ON the army feOrganiza-
ton bill opened in the house under an
agreement by which the general de-
bate is to run fifteen hours exclusive of
three night sessions, the final vote TO
be taken not later than 3 o'clock next
Tuesday. Practically three PROPOSE
tons are before the house. The house
bill providing for a standing army of
hDN'OpS IIlCIl, InC SuOOIASNSS'
increasing the standing army to 10000
men aid lodging with the president
discretionary power to call out $4,000
volunteers for emergency service, and
proposition to continue temporarily
the regular army at it's present war
strengthen, 900 men.
Washington, Jan 26.-Not since the
stirring days before the declaration
of war last spring has the house wit
messed such an exhibition of excite
ment and such scores of generous en-
thusiaSm as when Mr.. Johnson OF In
diana and Mr.. Dolliyer of Iowa locked
horns on the question OF expansion.
The army bill, which was under de-
bate, was swallowed up in the broader
question of our future national pOncy,
and the debate was lifted from the
dead level of mediocrity into absolute
brilliancy. Mr.. Johnson secured tlme
from the Democratic side to attack the
position of the administration. lt was
not the first time he has broken away
from his party on public questions. On
such occasions he has won reputa-
uon as master of invectiYe, ana tue
knowledge that he was to speak had
attracted an enormous crowd to the
gallaries. He added to his reputation.
His words flowed from him IN a per-
Iect torrent. He denounced the propo-
Slton to annex the Philippines as SUD
Versive of every tradition dear TO the
American heart in the past and the IN
auguration of a new policy for the re-
public. He expressed qualification tnat
the senate would sound the death
knell of all efforts of those who were