Crawford avalanche., 1900-02-15
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chairman of the committee on Pacific Isl
ands and Porto Rico. reported a bill pro-
viding a form of government for Porto
Rico. Senator Caffcry in discussion
OF the Philippine question broke new
ground in developing his position ys an
anti-expansionist In response to ques-
ton as to what in the present crcum-
stances he would do with the filpinos,
he said: Turn them loose as soon as
we can get rid of them. That wonld be
better for them and infinitely better for
us. Mr.. Caffery's argument was main
~ discussion OF the constitutional ques-
fions. He maintained that the constitu-
tion extends absolutely over the f'ilip-
nos. and that they were entitled 10 all
the rights and privileges OF citizens OF
the United States guaranteed by the con-
stitution. The House refused by vote
OF 90 to 81 to pass a bill looking to the
appointment OF an expert commission to
examine into the questions of the pollu-
ton OF the water supply OF cities. The
Chicago members considered that it was
aimed especially at the Chicago drainage
canai. speeches were made by two
democratic members of the foreign at
fairs committee. Mr.. Dinsmore Of Ar
kansas and Champ Clark OF Missouri, op-
posing the retention OF the Philippines.
Mr.. Sibley of Pennsylvania, who was
elected as Democrat. but who made
speech the previous week defending ex-
panson, was goaded into the announce
ment that the Democrats could consider
his seat constructively on the Republican
side.
On Tuesday the Senate received from
Mr.. Aldrich amendment to pending inan-
cial Dill providing that its passage shall
not stand In the way OF united action
Tor International bmetallism at any fu-
ture time. Also an amendment from Mr..
Jones OF Arkansas providing for an
emergency treasury note fund of S5U,OOU,-
OOU, which may be issued TO any citizen
at lO per cent. discount in exchange for
United States bonds. Heard Senator
CaHery III opposition TO retention of the
Philippines and Senator Butler in oppo-
sluon 10 North Caroina's suffrage amend
ment. Adopted conference report ON the
urgent deficiency bill The House
adopted the conference report ON
the urgency deficiency bill and
resumed debate on diplomatic and cons
sular bill, Messrs. Gibson Of Tennessee.
Morris of Minnesota and William Alden
Smith of Michigan speaking for expan-
sion, and Williams OF Mississippi. Ne
vile of Nebraska and Cochran Of Mis-
souri, against il, while III. G.. Smith of
Michigan championed the cause of the
Beers. Mr.. Williams held that the alb
sorption of the Philippines by the United
States would be ruiDous to the American
producers of cotton, rice, tobacco. hemp
and sugar.
The feature of Wednesday in the SEN
ate was tilt between Messrs. Depew
and Pettigrew over Il letter from Presi-
dent Schurman of the Philippine commits
sion, read by the New Yorker, fatty de
aying statement made by the South Da-
kota Senator during debate some, time
ago that he tSchurmanJ had tried TO
bribe the insurgents aud failed" Sena-
tors Bate, Turner and Allen spoke
against the financial bill and Mr.. Vest
offered an amendment providing that the
Secretary of the Treasury shall have pre-
pared $200,000,000 of treasury notes. TO.
be known as bond treasury notes"
which shall be full legal tender for all
debts and which shall be loaned by the
Secretary OF the Treasury to anybody
who may deposit United States bonds for
them, the note TO bear the same interest
as the bonds deposited. The House pass-
ed diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill. carrying SO, zoos, substantially as
1t came from committee. IndulCed i'm de-
sutory discussion of Philippine question
and war in South Africa. principal fea-
ture being speech by Mr. Shafroth in
favor OF mediation in South Africa under
provisions of The Hague treaty.
The Senate spent Thursday in discus
sion of the financial bill. Mr.. Allen con
cluded his speech, charging the Repub-
lican party with breaking faith with the
people on bimetallism and systematically
discrediting the work OF the international
bimetallic commission. Mr.. Cockrell made
technical analysis of the House and
Senate measures. He charged that the
Senate substitute contained the initial
movement toward ,he pcrpetuation of the
national debt. In the House only minor
business was transacted. The ways and
means committee bill establishing tariff
rates upon goods from Porto Rico into
the United States and vice versa was re-
ported and Chairman Payne gave notice
that the bill would be called up the next
Thursday.
As no Senator was prepared to pro-
cced with n discussion of the finance
measure the Senate transacted only rou-
tine business on Friday and adjourned
early TO enable members to attend the
obsequies of Gen. LGwton. A bill was
passed to erect public building at Dead
wood, s. d., to cost 100000. After a
brief session ut which no business was
transacted n recess was taken in the
House until : p. M The night session
was devoted TO private pension bills.
In the Senate on Saturday. when there
were only dozen Senators present, a
Bocr sympathy resolution introduced by
Mr.. Allen was passed before its purport
was realized a minute later the vote
was reconsidcrcd and the resolution went
over. The financial debate was contin-
ued by Mr.. Chandler. who opposed the
gold standard and strongly urged the
double standard. Mr.. Chiffon and Mr..
Money also spoke The House was not
in session.
Odds and Ends.
Plans are under way for the constriic-
ton of 300 miles OF trolley lines i'm Ha-