The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-17
Senate Still In Throes Of
Discussion.
Pettigrew Amendment Laid on
Table.

is still in the throes Of discussion Of the
Philippine question and apparently there
is no near approach to deliverance
from the subject. Mr.. West Of Missouri
today voiced the opinion of many SEN
ators when he said that such discussion
as was now in progress was of no con-
sequence, as the country was confronted
by a state of facts that could not be
changed by talk. Mr.. Pettigrew's re-
solution of inquiry and Mr.. Lodges
substitute for 1t were laid on the table
today and Mr.. Hoar's general resolution
of inquiry as to the facts OF the Philip
pine war was taken up. An effort of
Mr.. Petigrew to amend it so as to call
for the Presidents instructions to the
Paris peace commissioners led to pro-
longed debate. After the Senate had
considered tho matter behind closed
doors, the amendment was rejected by
vote of Al to 20.
The debate for the day was concluded
by Mr.. Vest who made notable speech
in opposition to the assumption In some
quarters that every man who does not
agree with the policy of the administra-
ton is a traitor to his country. Mr..
Vest threw into his utterances all the
nervous force and energy and the orator
ical ability for which he is famed, and
commanded tho attention of the sSenate
throughout.
Mr.. Mclaughlin, Democrat. of South
Carolina, addressed the Senate on tho f.
nancial question, making an argument
in favor of his proposition to confer au-
thority upon state banks to issue circu-
lating notes.
With the opening Of the session Of the
Senate MIR. Cullon presented pstitior
signed by SOD oolored persons asking
for such legislation as win protect col
ored men If this country from the "bar;,
barous practice of lynching and burning
colored mem"
Mr.. Cullom asked that the petition be
referred to the committee on judiciary.
slrh, ugh, he said II might be desirable
to rsfer Il TO the committee on privileges
and elections
MIR. boar, chairman Of the judiciary
committee, said he believed every sena-
tor would be- glad to have such measures
adopted as would suppress this wrong
doing and epatls the officials to enforce
the laws. No senator, he thought, would
disagres to that. He directed attention
TO the fact that the stats laws take
cognizance of the crimes referred to In
the petition. by what constitutional
method the United States couid take
action in this question is q difficult pro-
bl IN.
MIR. Chandlsr, chairman Of the com-
mittee on privileges, and elsctions.
thought 1t desirable to be perfectly
rank.
"rhsre Is no power in Congress-" said
he, Ito prevent or to punish crimes COM
united In the various states. II the
states do not punish Grimes for the pun
ishment of which they have state laws. no
federal law can take the place OF useless
state laws"
Mr. Chandler said that there was no
legal law under which the violator OF
even the suffrage law could be pun
!shed.
MIR. Spooner Wis: There Is such
federal Legislation.
MIR, Cha ndler-"Tbers Is not now
such legislation. Congress has no consti'
tutional power to punish such crimes. "
Mr.. Culiom thought that inasmuch as
1t involved new legislation the petition
saouli 90 to the committee on judiciary.
"This subject" Mr.. Cuilom said,
eczema to call for Investigation. These
p, ople realize they are being badly treat
I'd. Su,h treatment is without authori-
ty of law and 1t ought to be stopped If
possible"
MIR. Tillman OF South Carolina-"What
Is the immedia oanss Of this petitionf
Does 1t come from Chicago"
Mr. Gallinger of New Hampshire. chair
man of the committee on pensions, report
ed a bill repeating section 4. 10 revised
statutes, SO Tar as 1t may be applicable
TO the claims Of dependent parents Of
soldiers, sailors or marines who served
the United States In the war with Spain.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. Wellington of Maryland intro
duced q joint resolution declaring the
purpose OF the United States toward the
Philippines and gave notice that he
would address the Senate on the resolu-
tion next Thursday.
Mr.. Pettigrew offered q resolution call
Ing upon tn, secretary Of war for an
itemized statement Of the expenses of
our occupation of Cuba since the oioss OF
the war. The resolution went over until
tomorrow under Mr.. Chambers objeo-
tion.
The resolution of Mr.. Pettisrew calling
fer informaiton regarding the conduct of
the war In the Philippines, was laid be-
fore the Senate.