Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-11
most important question considered by

most important question considered by
the Senate since the foundation Of this
government. The reconstruction ques-
ton was more important one.
The Louisiana purchase was auotn-
er. The ablest man differed as 20
whether We had either the power 10
acquire or govern that vast domain. II
puzzled even Mr.. Jefferson, and there
were also differences rs to whether
Louisiana should be territory or de-
tendency. Territory. Mr.. Foraker ar
gued, could be acquired by purchase,
cessiou, or conquest: and the only limi-
tation is that it cannot be held perma-
oently though it can be governed Is a
colony. By permanent was meant
eternal. To adopt the Vest resolution
was confession that our own nation
wss inferior to the other nations OF the
earth. Mr.. Foraker resented that idea.
He had no difficulty in finding in the
constitution the grant OF power.
Mr.. Foraker became involved in
debate with Mes=Ts. Hoar, AL
len, Gray, Bacon, Tillman and other
auti. expansionists. They tried to pin
hin down in reference to wha: ne
would have done with the Philippines,
particularly the suffrage, aud whether
| or not he thought there would be any
Discrimination on account OF race, creed
or previous condition. They quoted
| numerous decisions of eminent jurists
in their effort to prove that the Oalo
Senator did not have peg TO stand
upon in his contention that the consti-
tuition permitted the policy he favored
with references 10 the islands.
Mr.. Foraker stood the fire OF ques-
tons good-naturediy, and stoutly main
tanned that the power existed and ne
believed in applying it, the large audi
ence 10 the galleries enjoyed the debate,
aud there was general laughter when
Mr.. Foraker, in answer to Mr. Tillman
said he wished some OF the States OF
the Union that Disseminated against
citizens were outside so that Congress
might deal with them.
Mr.. Foraker coutended that thelDred
Scott decision, if nothing else, had de-
! moostrated that Congress had the power
and the right TO govern territory tnat
ed been acquired. He quoted q noted
Justice who neld that it was absurd to
nold that Congress had the power to
acquire but not the power to govern
that territory after it was acquired.
| Mr. Foraker said Mr.. Hears conten-
ton was that the United States govern
ment had no power 10 acquire territory
except for constitutional purposes, but
Mr. Hoar wanted to be the sole judge
Of those purposes. He taunted Mr.
Hoar with his vote 10 annex HaRai ,
because he thought they should be an
| 1exe3, as they were necessary for the
national defense.
Mr.. Hoar said majority OF the Bs-
waiians voted for annexation. and that
YVES constitutional. Mr.. Hoar added
that if the expansion policy was extend
el to the Philippines without the con-
sent of the natives, il would De black
crime for which this nation deserved
punishment.
Mr. Foraker said be did not under
stand that any body in authority pro-
posed 10 deny the Filipinos the right 10
set up an independent government 0!
their own. But the islands could rot
go back TO Spain, aod neither could
the United States permit the natives 10
be left st the mercy Of the European
nations.
Mr.. Bacon asked Mr.. Foraker why
the administration treated the Filipinos
different from the Cubana. The reply
was that different policy had prevailed
for reasons that could not be discussed
10 open session, but full explanation
would be made behind closed doors
when the treaty is discussed.
M. Foraker said he Was willing TO tr1s;
p esident Mckinley snd the American PEG
pie in dealing with the Philippine question
and believed the natives would get ful
justice
Thank God" exclaimed Mr.. Hoa-.