The age-herald., 1900-05-28
SENATOR MORGAN
 IS INDEPENDENT
He Acts in Accordance With
 His Own Views.
PHILIPPINE SPEECH
Was Not in Line With That of Many Democratic Senators, and Has
 Caused Much Comment and i' Some Criticism

Washington, May 27-(Specia)-Senat Morgan of Alabama is man of too much independence of character to follow his party blindly when it does not act in ac- cordance with his views. He is good party man, but he does not hesitate to act and speak as his own views dictate. He has been somewhat criticised, but he has chosen to hold ideas of his own on the Philippines and will not join the hue and cry against imperialism, as well as be- cause he is and has been an avowed ex- pansionist.
 His speech on Friday on the bill intro duced by Senator Spencer granting to the president absolute power in the Philip pines, just as was granted to Jefferson over the Louisiana purchase, until congress can wisely legislate for the islands, has at- tracted considerable notice. Senator Nor gan always has something of interest to say, for he is fund of information on all subjects and knows how to present his ideas forcefully and attractively.
 The senator frankly admitted his expan- sion views and denied that our military or naval commanders had promised to rec ognize the Philippine people. He denounced Aguinaldo a political adventurer and traitor and said no Philippine government had existed when Dewey fought the battle of Manila bay, and said we would have disgraced. ourselves had permitted Aguinaldo to take and loot Manila These strong views expressed with characteristic yigor, were not pleasing to the Pettigrews and Aliens and the others who have sought to have it appear that the course of the limited States appfu1 and tinged with dishonor. They do not like to that part of their anti-imperialistic policy so shattered by man of Senator Morgan's prominence before the country and in the democratic party.
 A Significant Remark
 One significant thing that Senator Nor gan said was that he welcomed this open door of relief'-the Philippines-"to the people of the south especially, in their honorable struggles to repair the losses and humiliations of the war between the states, and honor the president and our commissioners for leading us in this course of national duty to a glorious achievement"
 But Senator Morgan is not in favor of the Spooner bill He regards it as grant ing the president imperial power, legal izing of absolutism, giving the president vast powers that are dangerous and un- desirable. This bill he denounces in the strongest terms possible, and declares 1t can not pass this session nor this congress-
 Senator Morgan made no concealment of his anger at the meddling of the Panama Canal company withAtife Nicaraguan bill, and his belief that the six syndicates in- terested in constructing a canal and se- curing concessions were guilty of arro- gance and brazen-faced audacity and con- spring to compel people to pay full rail- road rates on trans continental freight by delaying and hampering the construction of the Nicaraguan canal. The senator has no patience with those who act from mo- tives of eXpediency and with presidential thing that may displease some great cor poration because of its enormous power
 And there is justice in such a criticism, because always preceding an election the politicians become timid for fear of losing some advantage that may come from cor porate contributions or otherwise, and are guided by moral cowardice rather than by the interests of the nation in their deter minations as to proposed legislation. It was perhaps well that Senator Morgan should call attention to this tendency as exemplified in the determination to side track the Nicaraguan bill for the present session.