Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-01-26
EXPANSION POLICY.
Mr.. White, Of California, Speaks
Against 1t in the Senate.
The SAMPSON. SCHLEY PROMOTIONS.
The Entire Executive Session Taken 10 In
the Discussion OF Naval Advancement
--LegtalatiOn for Hawaii-An Ex-
ira Session Possible.

Washington, Jan. "a. Discussion of
the policy Of expansion occupied near.
ly all the time Of the senate in open
session yesterday. Senator White, of
California, one Of the democrats who
has announced heretofore his opposi.
ton to ratification OF the treaty OF
peace, addressed the senate in support
Of the anti.expansion resolution intro
duced by Senator Vest, OF Missouri,
and another resolution, offered by
Senator Bacon, OF Georgia, declaring
that the Philippines ought to be free
and independent. Senator White is a
brilliant speaker and he was compli-
mented by his colleagues and large
audience in the galleries with careful
attention. He did not enter into
constitutional argument, but confined
himself to discussion Of expansion
as a policy Of this government He
maintained that such a policy was
contrary to the fundamental principles
Of this country, TO its history and ira
ditions. He declared his opposition
TO the ratification Of the pending
treaty Of peace, but broadly intimated
that declaration Of definite policy on
the part Of the administration would
very much simplify.the situation and
as matter Of good faith ought not to
be antagonized by the advocates of
the treatys ratification.
A bill was passed authorizing the
secretary of tie interior to authorize
the territory OF Oklahoma to use GER
tain buildings at Fort Supply military
reservation as an insane asylum.
Senator Cullom introduced a bill
granting pension of 500 per month
to ex-senator John NJ. Palmer, on &C.
count of his services as major gen.
eral during the civil war.
Senator Mason introduced bill
providing for the establishment Of a
training school for army cooks.
The entire executive session of the
senate was devoted wholly to the dis
cussion Of the promotion OF Admirals
Sampson and Schley and other naval
officers engaged in the Santiago cam.
paign, over the heads of officers who
were their superiors in rank. The
controversy was then postponed for 20
days, after vote had been taken to
call for the records of the navy depart.
ment bearing upon the conduct of all
affected by the advancement. Sem
ators German and Wellington, OF Mary
land, one republican and the other
democrat, united in a fierce attack
upon the navy department for favor
ing Sampson over Schley, while Sen
ators Lindsay, Pettigrew, Perkins and
Money attacked the whole system of
promotion as % species Of favoritsm
which was not warranted by the
facts" The method of the administra.
ton was defended by Senators Hale,
Chandler and Lodge.
LEGISLATION FOR HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Washington, Jan. "a Yesterday
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 Importance
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 Hawaiian flag, and owned by
Hawaiian citizens July I. 1898.
Mr. Clark, of Iowa, introduced bill
providing that no polygamist Shall be
q senator or Representatives. 1t pro
vides that mo person living in or
practicing polygamy shall be eligible
TO be member of either house of con-
gress, nor shall such person be per-
mitted to hold seat therein" 1t is,
further provided that the evidence of
polygamy shall be of whatever nature
that establishes the fact Another
provision makes the act take immedi.
ate effect
AN EXTRA SESSION POSSIBLE.
Washington, Jan. "a Although the
motion for an executive session was
made by the chairman of the commit.
tee on foreign relations, the peace
treaty was not taken up in the senate
yesterday. The status Of the treaty as
outlined by member of the commit.
tee who favors ratification is; The
opponents claim TO have SO or "a sure
votes against the treaty. That would
defeat 1t, which would necessitate an
extra session. II there is to be an
extra session the friends OF the treaty
say they may as well take it over
rejected by this session. They do
not propose to bring it to vote unless
they are sure OF ratification. An
extra session, they say, will mean an
extra session of the whole congress,
unless an unconditional appropriation
is made to pay Spain the $50, 900, 900,
or unless some arrangement is made
with Spain to extend the time of pay.
ment three months, The United
States, 1t is said, would not like to
make this request 1t is believed that
in view of the possibilities of an extra
session, the opponents will yield before
adjournment, as very general desire
is expressed to avoid an extra session.
Guam VIII He C0l0niyed