The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-17
SENATE DEBATES ON
PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
PETTIGREw's RESOLUTION IS LAID
ON THE TABLE.
Hoar and Wellington Vote With
tho Democrats and Kyle, Lind
say, Pettus and Stewart With Re-
publicans-vest Closes Debate.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE senate Is
still in the throes of the discussion Of the
Philippine question, and apparently there
Is no near approach to a deliverance up
on the subject. Vest today voiced the
opinion of many senators when he said
that such discussion as was now In prog
ress was of no consequence, as the coun-
try was confronted by state of facts
that could not be changed by talk.
Pettigrew's resolution of inquiry and
Lodges substitute for 1t were laid on the
table today and Hoar's general resolution
of inquiry as to the facts of the Philip
pine war was taken UP. An effort of Pet
tigrew to amend 1t, so as to call for the
presidents instructions to the Paris peace
commissioners, led to a prolonged de-
bate.
After the senate had considered the
matter behind closed doors. the amend
ment was rejected by vote of Al to 20.
The debate for the day was concluded
by Vest. who made a notable speech in
opposition to the assumption In some
quarters that every man who does not
agree with the policy of the administra-
tion is traitor to his country. Vest
threw into his utterances all the nervous
force and energy and the accomplished
oratorical ability for which he is famed,
and commanded the attention of the sem
ate throughout.
McLaurin addressed the senate on the
financial question, making an argument
in favor of his proposition to confer au-
thority upon state banks to issue circu-
lating notes.
Petition to Prevent Lynching.
the senate Cullom of Illinois presented a
petition, handsomely bound and signed by
5000 colored persons. asking for such leg
islation as will protect colored men of
this country from the "barbarous prac-
tice of lynching and burning colored
men,
Cullom asked that the petition be re-
ferred to the committee on judiciary, al
though he said 1t might be desirable to
refer it to the committee on privileges
and elections.
Hoar, chairman OF the judiciary COM
mittee, said he believed every senator
would be glad to have such a measure
adopted as would suppress this wrong
doing and enable the officials to enforce
the laws.
No senator, he thought would disagree
10 IHdt. he directed dlleDtlOu 10 tHe idCt
that the state laws take cognizance of the
crimes referred to in the petition. By
what constitutional method the United
States could take action In this question
is difficult query.
Chandler, chairman of the committee on
privileges and elections. thought 1t desir-
able to be perfectly frank. There Is no
power in congress, said he. Ito prevent
or punish crimes committed In various
states. If the states do not punish crimes
for the punishment of which they have
enacted laws, no Federal law can take the
place of useless state laws"
Chandler Mistaken in His Law.
Chandler said there was no Federal law
under which the violation of even the
suffrage law could be punished.
Spooner--There is such Federal legisla-
ton.
Chandler-There is not now such legis-
lation. Congress has no constitutional
power to punish such crimes.
Culom thought that iIiasmuch as 1t in
volved new Legislation. the petition go to
| the committee on judiciary.