The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-15

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON. Jan. I4.-since the
opening Of congress the Republicans have
at every essential point. This has been
especially illustrated in the promptness
with which the Republicans have met all
propositions to investigate government
Departmental and administrative policy.
To start investigations Of the acts of the
administration is an old trick, especially
in presidential years. 1t was fully un-
derstood. therefore. that the Democrats
have been actuated by 0esire to furnish
campaign material for next fall, whence
arose the inspiration OF the large num-
ber Of resolutions offered by Pettigrew,
Sulzer and others.
When an investigation of Mr.. Cages
official acts as secretary or the treasury
was demanded the Republicans promptly
agreed, because they considered this good
tactics. Had they opposed the investiga-
tion the charge would have been made
that they had something to conceal. Now
that the desired information is furnished.
although Secretary Gage may be criti-
cised for his management of the govern
ment funds. it cannot pe said that he Is
trying 10 cover his OpcTdtiOHS.
Lodge Foils Pettigrew.
The same shrewd tactics were display
ed again when Senator Lodge neatly
turned the guns on Senator Pettigrew,
who offered a resolution calling upon the
secretary OF war for information as to
an interview alleged TO have taken place
between Gen. Torres. one Of the Philip
pine leaders. and Gen. Otis. 1t was Mr..
Pettigrew's object to show that Gen. Otis
and the government broke faith with the
Filipinos, and that after the Filipinos
had been recognized by our naval and
military commanders in the Philippines
as our allies, we brought on the war by
forcing them to attack us. Mr.. Lodge
spiked the Pettigrew resolution by Of
fering a substitute calling upon the
president for all dispatches and informal
ton in his possession relating to Philip
pine affairs.
Mr.. Lodge explained briefly that he
could not, even by his silence. admit the
truth implied in Mr.. Pettigrew's charges,
and that the proper method was not to
ask the secretary of war for fragmen-
tary information. but TO request that all
the facts in the possession of the presi-
dent be communicated 10 the senate. Mr..
Lodge pointedly observed that this in
formation would strengthen the hands of
the administration.
Senator Lodges substitute for the Pet
tigrew resolution was especially signifi-
cant because he is chairman of the new
ly created committee on the Philippines,
and therefore he knows exactly what in
formation the president has. 1t is to be
presumed that he did not offer his SUBJ
stitute without having rlrst consulted the
president regarding the matter. In fact
there is authority for saying that the
president suggested that a resolution
similar to Mr.. Lodges substitute should
be offered, for the purpose of stopping,
once and for all, the numerous resolutions
which Mr.. Pettigrew and other opponents
of annexation had shown disposition to
offer. The president, / am told, has said
that he has practically no information in
his possession which has not been made
public, and that everything of important
character has been published, either in
the papers or in the form of official doc
uments.
No Philippine Legislation.
The statement made In these dispatches
some time ago that It is not the purpose
of administration members of congress to
legislate for the Philippines at this ses-
sion is receiving confirmation. A leading
member of the senate committee on the
Philippines now says:
ours will be a committee of observa-
ton. rather than legislation, at this ses-
sion. The purpose of the committee is
not to provide legislation, but to repress 1t.
The Republicans in the senate are en-
tirely satisfied to have the Philippines re-
main under military control and In the
hands OF the president during the life of
the present congress. We shall not be
worried by the charges which will be
made that we abdicated our rights and
surrendered our functions to the president.
"The thing TO do now is to do nothing,
and the committee will be doing it's duty
IL it watches the situation SO as to deter
mine what ought to be done in the future
II we made any attempt now to enact
legislation. 1t assured,y would be crude,
i'll considered and without the basis of full
knowledge. The best thing for us to do
is to study the situation and to prevent
anything being done. This will be the
attitude of the committee, and you may
regard 1t as certain that there will be no
legislation for the Philippines yet
while.''
Porto Rlcaa Matters.
That there win be legislation for Porto
Rico. however, is definitely determined.
and Senator Foraker already has intro
duced bill. which he expects to furnish