The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-02
SCENES NOT OFTEN WITNESSED IN
THE SENATE.
SENATORS GREATLY AGITATED
fppine Question-Issue or Veracity
Between Admiral Dewey and Agui-
naldo Raised by Senator Pettigrew.
Vehement Denunc citation of This Sem
ator-The Negro Congressman White
Makes an Outrageous speech in the
House.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Washington, January 31.-Debate in
the senate, ordinarily calm and digni-
fled, burst today into passionate utter
ances and bitter recrimination. Sena-
tors hurled denunciation at one an
other until the auditors quivered with
excitement.
The debate grew out of a phase Of
the Philippine question anS 20 scene
had been witnessed since e discus
sion of the war resolutions in the last
congress which, in 81 sational features,
compared with thatR, today
The discussion arose quite unexpect-
edly. Senator Pettigrew, who has pre-
cipitated nearly all the debates upon
the Philippine discussion during the
present question, sought to have read
resolution embodying a document
written by Emilio Aguinaldo upon the
Filipino insurrection and containing
his version of the alleged recognition
of the Filipino republic by Admiral
Dewey.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts.
protested against lrinting the docu-
ment In any form and read d letter
from Admiral Dewey, in which that
portion of Aguinaldo's statement relat-
ing to the admiral was denounced as
"a tissue of falsehoods.''
Senators on the floor listened with
eager attention and many gallery spec
tators leaned far over the railings in
their desire not to miss a sentence
Senator Lodge said he preferred ac-
cept1ng DeWey'S word to that of Agui-
naldo and was satisfied the American
people would Also
In passionate reply, Senator Petit
grew declared that Admiral Dewey had
recognized the Filipino republic and
although afforded an opportunity here
tofore to deny Aguinaldo's statements
had not done so.
In an instant senators were on their
feet. Senator Hawley, the venerable
senator from Connecticut, denounced
Senator Pettigrew's action as treason
In rapid succession, Senator Petit
grew was made the target of stinging
arraignments by Senators Spooner,
Hawley, Sewell and Gallinger. That
the feeling was at pitch seldom not
ed In the senate was evidenced by the
pale faces Of the men who spoke
Senator Jones, democrat, of Arkan-
SIS, and Senator Teller, of Colorado
el-deavored to stem the tide of protest
and deep feeling by concilliatory
DEWEY'S LETTER.
The letter from Admiral Dewey. read
Washington, January 80.
Dear Senator Lodge:
The statement of Emilio Aguinaldo
as recently published in The Spring
field Republican, so far as it relates
TO me, is tissue of falsehoods. l new
er promised directly or indirectly, in
dependence for the Filipinos. I never
treated him as an ally, except to make
use of him and the soldiers to assist
me in my operations against the Span
lardS. He never alluded to the word
independence in any conversation with
me or my officers.
Ihe statement tnat l received him
so-called Filipino flag is absolutely
raise. Sincerely yours,
GEORGE DEWEY"
Senator Lodge read an expression
from the late General Lawton in which
the general said: IF 1 am shot down
by Filipino bullet it might as we'll
come from one of my men, because I
know the continuance of fighting is due
to reports sent out here from Ameri-
ca"
The general had at the same time
exclaimed: Il would to God the whole
truth of this whole situation were
known as L know it,
Senator Rawlins, of Utah, thought
that senators who were making such
dos utterances published were incon-
sistent. Were they not aware that the
administration had itself made public
documents emanating from the same
source? Did any greater obligation
rest upon the senate.
Senator Rawlins criticised the censor
ship of the administration ION the
threshold of a political campaign" He
also objected to the use of a letter
from a patriot like General Lawton in
support of political propaganda.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, wanted
all the facts known. In that respect he
agreed with General Lawton. In his
opinion the most unfortunate zcircum-
stance that had happened in connec-
ton with the discussion of the Philip
pine subject was the refusal at the be-
ginning to allow ANY resolution Of in
quiry to go through, by moving to lay
1t on the table, thus manifesting a dis
position to cut off debate and suppress
facts. He had sufficient confidence in
the American people to believe that
they would in the end arrive at just
conclusion, but in order that they
might be enabled to do so they should
not be cut off from any facts.
Senator Jones Joined with Senator
Rawlins. in his objection to the rigid
censorship. You can only fear the
TRUTH he said. You need not fear
falsehood, for you have in the officers
on the ground full means of ascertain
ing what is true and what is false"
PETTIGREW DECLARED A TRIAL
TOR.
Senator Sewell, of New Jersey, re-
ferred to the fact that he had opposed
the acquisition Of the Philippines, but
he said that so soon as the Paris treaty
was ratified he had sunk his private
views and acQuiesced in the result. "I
saw the flag attacked" he said, 'and
after that with me it was the coun-
try and the flag, right or wrong" He
referred to the fact that he had SON.
in-law on the staff and said his SYM
pathies were naturally with the SOL
dier in the field. Il deprecate beyond
measure" he went on. 1.-The action OF