The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-01
SENATOR M'LAURIN'S SPEECH.
HIS VIEWS RELATIVE TO THE
PHILIPPINES PRESENTED.

We Would Get From the Orient.
Says the Southern People Are
Studying the Question and Won't
BE Mislead Much Longer-Prncti-
caIly no Progress Made in the Ha-
wniian Bill.
Washington, Feb. notwithstanding
the agreement made by the Senate to vote
on the Hawaiian government bill at TO-
days session, the final vote on the meas
ure was postponed until o'clock to-mor-
row. Practically no progress was made
on the bill to-day, although it was under
consideration nearly four hours.
Mr.. Aldrich explained the conference
work on the financial measure. one of
the amendments authorizing the gold re-
serve to be held in bellion as well as gold
coin was added, because the facilities for
the coinage of gold would not at present
admit of oolnlng the gold in sufficient
quantity 90 maintain at all times the re-
serve in gold coin. The provision pro-
hibiting the use of bond sale proceeds TO
pay current government expenses was due
to the apprehensions Of the
House conferees that so
called endless chain might be
established. He said the authority to sus-
pend the issue of certificates where Unit
ed States notes and silver certificates in
the general fund exceed $60,OO0,0OO was
simply another way of protecting the re-
serve. The issue first of silver certificates
of spall denominations was to avoid any
possible contraction of the currency The
additional coinage of $2O,O0O.00O of subsi-
diary silver was to meet expected later
needs of our island possessions, The au-
thority for banks to issue one-third of
their circulating notes in denominations
of FIVE dollars was agreed to because
banks in remote parts of the country
needed a good deal of currency in small
bills to accommodate customers,
Concerning the bimetallic amendment
Mr. Aldrich said the position taken by
the United States was that bimetallism
was now impossible except by interna-
tional agreement
Mr.. McLaurin of South Carolina was
then recognized to speak on the Philip
pine question. He said: In the discus
sion of this question there has been mani
tested a disposition 10 ignore the condi-
tions by which we are confronted and 10
project the debate upon a line of political
sentlmentalsm. This mode of discussion
is not only unpatriotic. but 1t is an evasion
of the trust issue. This is not political
question
Mr.. McLaurin strongly deprecated the
position which the Democratic party had
taken in making the Philippine question
and expansion a political issue. He point
ed to the past to show that some of the
greatest Democrats who ever lived were
expansionsts, and to prove by their acts
Al. ~ h..I not Bna far
them the United States would not have
been the nation 1t is to-day.
He took the ground that the Philippines
are rightfuily and legally ours by the
treaty of Paris and that the United States
should hold them, affording the Eilipinos
every opportunity to acquire the art of
government and giving them all the pow
ers and rights possible in the circum-
stances. He dwelt particularly on the
great opportunities afforded by the ISL
ands for trade between Americans and
the nations of the Orient. He did not
agree with some of his colleagues on the
Democratic side that our trade In the
East was a mere figment of the imagina-
ton. He quoted statistics to prove that
the experience of the last decade con-
tradlcted those who asserted that our
Eastern trade was Of not of immense
consequence.
ut is not in the Orient" he said, that
a change In our policy. We must enter
into actual competition for this trade
We must as a nation recognize changed
conditions, and / believe that by holding
the Philippines our trade in the Orient
will continue to Increase until all sur
plus products for years 10 come will find
rcmunerative markets in the East"
MIR. McLaurin then discussed the special
interest of the South in the exuSa nsion of
our trade.
"I am glad" said he ITO believe that
the Southern people have determined TO
investigate and study this question rather
than to be led blindly by political anti
expansionists. The Southern farmer by
The increased price received for raw cot
ton last year has become aroused. Fealty
to party and misleading information, l
fear, has produced among them oppOsi-
ton 10 territorial expansion. The effort
has been made in my own state 20 sup
press all Information and arouse pubic
sentiment against expansion. The fright
full ghost Of imperialism has been held
up before the people of the South 10
frighten them, but l believe ii IS impos-
sible much longef to thus mslead them. !"
Mr. McLaurn said, in sketching the
progress of the South during the past
twenty years, that the blight of negro suf-
frage and negro domination had almost
extinguished hope and energy and manly
effort but. like a giant bound with fet-
ters, she aroused herseLf at last and again
started upon an era of industrial Me.
Capital has flowed into that section"
said he There Is confidence in all
Southern entemaises. The bitter memo
ries of the past are being forgotten In the
rush of the development Of our resources.
Our people feel chat they are again a
part of this great country. and are feft
free and untrammelled to work out their
own destiny our Southern manufactur-
ers have already reached out 10 the mar
kets of the orient. and discovered their
advantages The Southern farmer needs
such markets for his raw cotton 10 make
its production remunerative.
"By the acquisition OF the Philippines we
hold the key to the Eastern situation
We need not rely solely upon treaty rights
TO secure the open door, but can demand
equal commercial opportunity with other
nations. and If necessary with the want
age ground we have. assert that demand.
VIII the United States throw away the
golden opportunity by giving up the Phil
ippines? ! am In favor OF holding them,
and I believe the Southern farmers and