Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-02-08
A WEEK IN CONGRESS.
The Philippine Question the Principal
Topic for Discussion in Both Branches,

In the senate Thursday Mr.. Allen of
Nebraska renewed his criticisms of Sec
retary Gage and his dealings with the
New York banks. Mr.. Daniel Of Virginia
delivered an extended speech on the pend
ing financial measure. Daniel NJ. Rams
dell OF Indiana and Charles q. Bennett
of New York, were sworn in as sergeant
at-arms and secretary of the Senate, re-
specuvely In the House the consdera-
tion of the Indian appropriation bill was
resumed. Representatives Sihley of Penn
sylvdnia assaied his d m1Cratc colleagues
for their opposition to expansion, and re-
cciveu an Impressive demonstration from
the floor and galleries.
In the Senate Friday Mr.. Pettigrew
made an effort to again discuss the Phil
ippine question, but was cut off by
point of order Mr.. Allen Of Nebra .ka
concluded his speech in arraignment OF
Secretary Gage because Of transactions
with the National city Bank OF New
York. The House continued its Consid-
Grafton of the Indian appropriation bill
The Senate was not in session Satllr-
day. The House passed the Indian APP
preparation bill. An attempt to revive the
policy of making contracts with religious
schools for the education of Indian chill
dtcn failed. The latter part of the sos
sion was devoted to eulogies upon the life
and public services of the late Representa-
tive Ermentrout OF Pennsylvania.
In the Senate Monday Senator Gallery
of Louisiana discussed the Philippine
question, contending that the constitution
extends over the Filpinos, and that tie
people of the islands We're entitled to all
the rights and privileges of citizens OF
the United States. In the House the gem
oral debate upon the diplomatic and con-
sular appropriation bill was continued,
and speeches were made by two demo-
cratic members of the foreign affairs
committee Mr.. Dinsmore of Arkansas
and Mr. Champ Clark of Missouri oppos-
ing the retention of the Philippines. Mr..
Sitey of Pennsylvania, who made a
sp ech last week deicndinG expansion. was
gcadcd into the announcement that the
democrats could consider his seat con-
structively on the republican side. Tn
contested election case Of Pearson ".
Crawford from the North Carolina dis
trct, was decided on party vote in IA
Nor of the contestant. Mr Pearson.
In the Senate Monday Senator Caffory
concluded his speech on the Philippine
question. The Philippine question again
occupied the attention OF the House with
a slight dgre ssion concerning the war IN
South Africa. The feature OF the debate
was the speech of Mr.. Williams of Mis-
sissipp who presented an argument
against the annexation of the Fhllippines
from the commercial aspect, holding tha'
the absorption of the islands would be III
timately runous to the American produc-
ers of cotton. rice tobacco, hemp and
sugar.
lively tilt between Mr.. Depew
rep, Of New York. and Mr.. PettiSrew
sill. rep, Of South Dakota. was an un-
expected feature in the early proceeding:
OF the Senate Wednesday,. Mr.. De
pew read a letter from President Schur-
man of the Philippine commission, tiatly
con,radicting statements made by Mr.
FcttereW H. 4 speech several days age
and then commented caustiCally upon the
methods of the South Dakota senator II
introducing the evidence of such men a;
President Schurman and Admiral Dewey
through the statements of A@unaldo Mr.
Pettigrew replied sharply, repeating mucf
that he has said heretofore, hut distinct
" rcitCratmg the statements which hao
called forth the denialS of both President
SChurman and Admiral Dewey.
Discussion of the financial measure wa
then resumed, speeches being made by Mr.
Turner, dem, Of Washington, Ny. Bat"
dem. of Tennessee, and Mr.. Allen. pop.
oi Nehra ska. all in opposition to the pend
ing bill.
The House finished the dip'omatic anC
consular appropriation bill, passing /
substantially as it came from The com
mittcc. There was some dcsultory dlcCuS
sion Of the Philippine question and tn'
war in South Africa the principal feature
= being tn. speech of Mr.. Shafroth in fdNo
Of nr diation in the Brtish-BOcr war, un
der the provisions of The Hague treaty
\ The diplomatic bill as passed, carries ST.,
$4,000