The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-03-14
IN CONGRESS-.

WASHINGTON, Mar. 7 - The an
nouncement that Mr.. Lodge would
speak on the Philippine question drew
to the Senate every Senator now in the
city and to the galleries an unusually
large number of auditors.
AT the conclusion of Senator Lodges
speech Senator Proctor read letters he
had received from officers in the Phil
ippines, among them one from Col.
KennoD, in command of the thirty
fourth regiment, which dealt fully
with the situation there. He wrote
from personal observation, he said, and
was assured, therefore, of the absolute
truthfulness and accuracy of every
statement he made. The northern
part of the island of Luzon had been
cleared practically of insurgents in for
midable bodies, the few remaining be.
ing in scattered bands. They hoped to
be able to discourage the Americans by
conducting a guerilla warfare. In the
opinion of Col. Kennon, the majority
of the Filipinos, with the exception of
the savage Tagalos, wanted American
control, because the forces under Agui-
naldo preyed upon the country and
committed atrocious crimes against the
inhabitants. This desire for American
rule had taken the form of burning
Aguinaldo in efligy. Col. Kennon was
certain the Filipinos had no capacity
for selfgovernment and needed the
strong hand of some nation to guide
and direct them. This hand, he
thought, the United States ought to ex-
tend.
The death of Representative Harmer
of Pennsylvania, the "father of the
House," cast gloom over that body.
MIR. Harmer was the oldest member of
the House both in length and continu-
ity of service. AS usual it was his
duty to swear in the incoming speaker
at the opening of each Congress and
this was the occasion of his only APP
pearance in the House this session.
He made special trip from Philadel-
phia at the opening session i'm Decem-
Der to administer the oath to Speaker
Henderson. After the appointment of
committee to attend the funeral of
Mr.. Hammer, the House as further
mark of respect adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Mar. S--Discussion
of the Porto Rican tariff bill occupied
four and half hours in the Senate to-
day. The principal speakers were Mr..
Foraker, of Ohio, in charge of the
measure and Mr.. Pettus, of Alabama,
but at various times during the debate
lively colloquy occurred in which other
senators were participants.
The House unseated CASTOR A. Rob-
bins, Democrat, from the fourth Ala
bama district, and seated in his stead
William F. Aldrich, Republican, who
has been three times contestant from
the same district on the ground Of
fraud and who is now given his seat
for the third Time by Republican
House. The vote was strict party
one.
A second urgency deficiency appro-
priation bill was reported to the House
by Chairman Cannon of the appropria-
tions cnmmittee. 1t carries total of
S1,439, $50. The main items are; Ma
val establishment, $645,000 Philadel-
phia Mint, S145000; government print
ing, S4S7,000. The naval items includ-
ed $125,000 contingency funds; $685.
600 for water boats at Manila; $780,
900 for coal barges at Manila; $780,
900 for naval equipment plant at Ma
Mia; and 100000 for work on vessels
now on the stocks.
WASHINGTON, March 8. - In the
Senate today the committee on appro-
priations reported favorably on the bill
authorizing the treasurer of the United
States to place at the disposal of the
President for the benefit of Porto Rico
all the monies collected on imports
from Porto Rico since the island came
into possession of the United States.