Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-13

Under special order the Senate con-
vened, at 10 A. NJ, two hours before
the regular meeting to be consumed III
the reading of the Alaskan civil coae
bill. During the greater part OIL the
two hours devoted to the reading only
two or three senators We're IN the
chamber. The clerks in the two hours
read 123 pages Of the bill.
Allen. Neb.. offered the following
resolution which was adopted: "Ihat
the President be requested, If not IN
compatible with the public interest, TO
inform the Senate whether any com
munication had been received by TINS
government from its consular repre-
sentative at Pretoria, embodylnG the
request of the Presidents of the Soulh
African republics for mediation or IN
PREVENTION with a view to ending the
war now in progress between these re-
pubIics and Great Britain. as reported
in the public press. and II not hcolh-
patible with public interest, he furnish
the Senate with copies of such COM
munication or communications
Routine business having been con
cluded, Rawlins. Utah, addressed the
Senate on our relations with the PM
ippines He had read the bill OF
Spooner comforting authority upon the
President to govern the Philippines
until Congress otherwise provided
That bill" said he, is but the pro
Iogue Of the swelling act in the i'm
perial theme
He had read the act Of 1903, confer
ring upon the President power to gov
crn the territory of Louisiana. Raw
Inns read some opinions Of Kent and
other English publcists as Il basis for
his argument
''These pcople-The Filipinos-neVer
acknowledged their allegiance to this
government" he said. Hence they
are not in insurrection against the
United States. a war Of aggression is
being wagcd against them. The pur-
pose believe. in drafting the bill pro
posed by the senator (Spooncr) IS TO
secure recognition by Congress Of
state of war in the Philippines. It
comes to US in disguise and for the
purpose | have stated, and to relieve
the administration from it's present
anomalous situation
After saying he presumed that the
speeches Of Beveridge and Lodge voic-
ed the sentiments ana presented the
programme of the administration.
Rawlins said: Il am opposed u the
carrying out Of this programme. ~
vote of mine will aid in carrying into
effect the policy outlined by these sell
ators. | oppose the programme be
cause it is in violation of the funda
mental principles upon which our free
institutions are erected; because it is
in opposition to the constitution: be-
cause it prOpos 70 rule BY q despotir
power and not be rights secured under
the constitution; because it is not eX-
pansion, but retrogressiOn Of all that
we have held highest; and because it is
unjust. immoral and n breach Of the
plighted faith of this nation"
In response to inquiry by SpoOner. |
RaWlins said in the course Of his con-
stitutional argument upon the rights
OF inhabitants Of The insular posses |
sions, that the treaty of Paris con
ierred upon Congress the authority to
determine the civil rights ana political
status Of the inhabitants Of the island.
derived from Spain by the United
States in accordance with the treaty.
1t did not. however. he said, confer
that authority upon Congress with re-
gard to other than native inhabitants
the islands. He maintained. there
that the constitution must nee
ntoT extend over the outlying ter
FrenchsSSaa the Americans. Germans.
could be md others on these islands
under limitatiaSsssd by Congress only
hawlns decIanoe9S the constitution
oeen deceived Il. !, the Filipinos had
'ne Proclamation is