Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-18

ships might change. Already a naval
expert had suggested compressed cot
ton as substitute for armor.
Mr.. Elliott. of South Carolina, made
an extended argument in favor of COM
plotting the inland waterways along the
Atlantic coast, both for defense and as
an artery of commerce in time of war.
Mr.. ltixey. OF Virginia., criticised the
extravaganza in the bill. He favored
the consolidation of some of the bu-
reaus. He also advocated government
built and government made armor and
ships.
VICIOUS LEGISLATION.
Mr.. Wheeler of Kentucky, of the
Commerce Committee criticised severe
~ the rule of the House which prohib-
tied members from making public on
the floor what WAS done and said be-
hind committee doors, and declared
himself in favor of compelling COM
mittecs to open the doors TO the press.
The most vicious legislation was hatch
ed behind closed doors. He also OPP
posed, he said, the appointment OF men
with special interests To serve on COM
mittees. Their desire to serve their
constituents. lie said, outwcighed their
duty to their country. Upon conviction
Mr.. Wheeler said lie was opposed to a
government plate factory and the build
Ing OF ships in government yards But
when 1t came TO surrenderng some of
ms convictions or submitting to high
way robbery he would let some OF the
former go. He was convinced from
what he had been able to learn that the
profit on armor plate was from $50 to
200 per cent. Mr.. Wheeler created
something Of n sensation by expressing
the opinion that "an officer in the uni
form OF the United States" was re-
sponsible for The armor plate trust. He
did not name the officer, and was not
questioned as to who lie meant
General debate was then closed.
At 800 p. m. the House adjourned
"IMPERIALISM."
For more than three hours to-day Mr.
Hoar, the senior Senator from Mas
sachusctts, occupied The attention of
the Senate with a speech in opposition
to the policy of imperialism" upon
which, lie maintained, this Government
has embarked. AS prepared the ad-
dress was fifty thousand words in
length but Mr. IIoar omitted much OF
it owing to an incplcnt attack of the
grip, of which was suffering. The
speech was brilliantly written, was il
Illuminated with splendid rhetorical
figures and was rich with citations
from. history. One of the notable parts
of the address was the eulogy of Agui-
naldo. Mr. Hoard did not liken the
insurgent leader To Washington, as has
been done heretofore, but to Kossuth
Dom Paul, Joubcrt, Nathan Hale and
other builders of the Church OF Liberty
In State craft he likened Aguinaldo and
his associates in the leadership OF the
tNlipinos to the best minds ever pro-
duced in the Asiatic race. n. race which
handed down to us the scriptures OF
the Old and New Testaments. the
poetry of David. the eloQuence OF
Isaiah, the wisdom Of Solomon and the
profound philosophy of Paul"
~ FANCIED ROLL CALL.
One of the most effective parts of the
address was his fancicd roll-call or
some of the distinguished statesmen
Of the United States on the question
of the retention OF the Philippines.
He began with George Washington
and closed with William Mckinley.
each in IL sentence giving the reason
for his vote. Every vote was i'll the
negative, except that of Aron Burr
who voted yes and explained: You
are repeating my buccanecring expcdi-
ton down the Mississippi. L am to
he vindicated at last" When the name
of William Mckinley was called. he
replied: There mas been a cloud be-
fore my vision for II moment, but
see clearly now; | go back to what 1
said two years ago: "Forciblc annex
alton Is criminal aggression; govern
ments derive their Just powers from the
OF them. but of all of them. 1 Will
stand with the fathers of the Republic
| will stand with the founders of the
Republican party. No"
The effect was dramatic. AS Mr..
Hoar pronounced his peroration the
stiffness in the chamber was intense
Applause swept over the galleries. but
1t was hushed quickly .by the president
pro tempore.
Mr. 1Ioar took as his text the Bev-
erdge resolution. declaring the Phil-
ippnes United States territory.
He cited tine glory of the war with
Spain, the prosperity OF the American
people ut its close, eulogized President
McKinley's course at that time, char
actcrzirg him as the best beloved
President whoever sat in the chair of
Washington. He begged the Republic
can party not to recedc from its prin-
ciples, and said If when we made the
peace treaty we had adhered to the
purpose we declared when we declared
war; ic we had dealt with the Phil
ppine islands as we promised to deal,
have dealt and expect to deal with
Cuba, the country would have escaped
the loss OF COCO brave soldiers, other
thousands of wrecked ana shattered
lives. the sickness of many more, the
expenditure of hundreds Of millions,
and. what is far worse than all. the
trampling under foot OF its cherished
ideals.
u do not expect to accomplish any
thing for liberty in the Philippine ISL
ands but through the Republican party.
Upon It the fate of these islands for
years 10 come is to depend. I cannot
look with favor upon Mr.. Bryan as an
alternative.
II believe not only that persever-
ance in the present policy will be the
abandonment OF the principles upon
which our government is founded, that
it will change orr republic into an en-
pire; that our methods of legislation.