The National tribune., 1900-02-08
IN CONGRESS.
Synopsis OF the More Important
Proceedings of Both Houses.

In the Senate on Jan. % Senator Till
man denounced the actions of the Ad
mnistration in putting down the Filipino
| inSurection as a war of conquest, con
demned it as bloody work, asserted that
plain speaking was not unpatriotic
and said the FTlipinos are better fitted fol
self government than were the negroes
when given the ballot.
The Senate decided by a vote of p to 3S
| not to reconsider the vote by which the
Samoan treaty was ratified. The vote
was taken on motion of Senator Jones,
| of Arkansas.
The proposed reorganization of the
| Weather Bureau, which involved the crea-
lion of fund for the retirement of aged
| clerks. received a black eye in the House.
1t is very doubtful if the measure will be
called up again this session; if it should
| be, its defeat is almost assured. While
there is nothing in the bill 10 require funds
| from the Government, as it proposes to as
sess salaries to the extent of three per cent,
| there was n fear that the bill. If enacted into
| law, would be made the basis of a plea
| for increased compensation. This was
| interpreted to mean eventually and III
reality a civil pension list. There was no
concealment of the fact that the bill was in
| tended as an entering wedge for similar
organization in all the Departments of the
but the House refused to go into Committee
! of the Whole.
| In the Senate on Tuesday resolution
offered the day before by Mr.. Pettigrew
| calling upon the President for informa-
ton as TO whether the people of Samoa
We're consulted on the treaty recently made
| in relation TO the islands, and whether
any protests have been received from the
| SamoanS against the treaty, was laid before
the Senate.
| On motion of Mr.. Davis the resolution
was referred to the Committee on Foreign
| Relations by vote of 80 to %.
Mr.. Pettigrew then asked unanimous
consent to have printed as publ docu-
ment statement by Aguinaldo giving a
| history of the revolt of the Filipinos against
the Spaniards. He said it was a docu-
ment of great interest to the Senate and TO
the country; but, on objection, the question
went over.
The calendar was taken up. Among the
bills passed was one granting to Annie T..
| Brumby, mother of Lieut.. Brumby, who
was Admiral Dewey's Flag Lieutenant, $50
month.
MIR. Bacon, of Georgia. then delivered a
speech on the Philippines, his position
on the Foreign Relations Committee making
his deliverance of Importance, particularly
to the minority in the Senate. it being III
opposition TO permanently retaining control
over the islands after there was no longer re-
Sistance He said previous acquisitions
had been legitimate expansion, because
in addition to being territorial they were
an extension of our political system, prin-
piles, and ideals. No such conditions
could ever exist with the Philippines,
Statehood was impossible; so was it that in
habitants of the acquired territory shall ever
be equal participants with ourselves in the
making OF the laws of the General Govern
hold ba icla would invnlyn
dangerous revolution in our system, not
only denying liberty to others, but en-
dangering the liberty of our own people,
resulting in militarism and begetung
disastrous wars. The Philippines were not
necessary to our trade in the Orient.
Routins matters occupied the House.
In the Senate the Philippine question
came up again. The debate began unex-
pectedly. Senator Pettigrew had on Mon
day presented a long statement prepared
by Aguinaldo asserting that Admiral
Dewey had, among other things, promised
him independence, after accepting his aid,
and also recognized the Filipino Republic.
The Administration supporters, following
out their policy of protecting the President
| from any hostile attack, had given notice
that they would refer the question of pub
fishing this statement to the Committee on
Printing.
| flank movement. He sent the document
to the clerks desk in the form of a reso-
luton, for which he asked consideration.
Ordinarily, his ruse would have succeeded,
for the clerk would have read the state
ment and it would have thus gone into
the Record. Senator Lodge, who, as Chair
man OF the Philippine Committee, is daily
on the ,watchtower, scented trouble. He
inquired If the resolution sent to the desk
was the statement submitted on the preyi-
GUS day.
you can learn its nature by hearing it
read by the clerk" answered Pettigrew.
Senator Lodge, however, did not propose
to gain his knowledge in that manner. In
stead, he began to attack the statement as
absolutely false, basing his assertion upon
letter which he had received from Admiral
Dewey, characterizing Aguinaldo's charges
as "a tissue Of falsehoods." Then with
rising Indignation, Mr. Lodge protested
against the issuance, under the imprint
OF the Senate, of a pamphlet which was
full of branded lies.
Both men were angry. PettigTew said
the statement had been printed in a certain
newspaper, and Dewey had not denied it.
Now he writes letter saying that they are
tissue of falSehoodS. OF the recognition
of Aguinaldo and his Government" shouted
the Senator, there can be no question.
Dewey did recognize the Filipino Repub-.
licw
How" asked Senators Lodge and
Spooner, at the same moment.
by saluting the Filipino flag" ex-
claimed Pettigrew. "By sending one OF
his vessels with Aguinaldo to Subig Bay
and turning the Spanish prisoners over to
Aguinaldo. We will make these facts pub
lie. II they can not be laid before the
American people otherwise" continued
the Senator, threateningly, IF you viii
not permit this document to be printed, ]
will read it and put ii in the Record.
Senator Hawley, who had advanced To-
the front row Of desks during Pettigrew's S
excited speech, now interposed.
81 shall object!" he exclaimed, his hand
raised toward Pettigrew. Il shall object
10 II as treason! Ii is giving aid and COM
fort to the enemies of the United States,
which, he added, as he looked steadily al
the South Dakotan, ''is what the Senator
has been doing constantly"
is this Republic?" shouted Pettigrew
moment later. "Do the people rule? Are
they no longer entitled to a knowledge oi
the history We have made? Are we TO es-
tabllsh IN the place Of a republic an EN-
pre-, a Government ruled without the
knowledge or consent OF the people? II
protesting against this is treason, if de
nouncing these things is wrong, j am
guilty. j am guilty," he repeated, his
Voice trembling with excitement, "and lei
the consequences be what they may"
Dewey's letter WIS read by Senator
Lodge. 1t was addressed TO him, and dated
at Washington, Jan. 80. and ran as follows:
The statement Of Emilio Aguinaldo. as
recently published in the Springfield Re
pub 'icdn, so far as it relates 10 me is q It's
sue of falsehoods / never promisedr
directly or indirectly, Independence 10,