New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-26
THE PHILIPPINE POLICY.
SENATOR MORGAN SPEAKS AGAINST
THE SPOONER BILL.
BUT PRAISES THE PEACE TREATY AND
THE COURSE OF THE PRESIDENT.

| Washington May 25.-Discusslon of the Spooner
Philippine bin was continued in the Senate to-day
by Mr.. Morgan of Alabama. He agreed with Mr..
Lodge and Mr.. Spooner in many phases of their
contention to the Philippines. but on the pend
ing bill he differed from them some constitu-
tional points and the necessity for and wis
dom of the enactment of the measure. He agreed
that the title of the United States to the Islands
under the Treaty OF Paris was clear and beyond
question. He declared that promises had ever
been made by military and naval commanders to
recognize the Tagal government. In fact. no such
government existed in the Philippines when Dewey
arrived there and took Manila. At that time
Aguinaldo was in Singapore, enjoying the pay for
his treachery he had received from the Spanards.
He denounced Aguinado political adventurer
and agitator, and asserted that I'VE would have
disgraced ourselves before all the nations of the
earth had yielded to the demand OF Aguinaldo
and his followers to loot the islands and especially
Manila"
Discussing the ratification OF the Treaty of Paris
Mr.. Morgan said:
Of Paris and still adhere that conviction of duty
to our treaties Of annexation With Mexico, that
the United States has made in the nineteenth cen
support by our Army and Navy that forced this
treaty from an arbitrary cruel Spanish ,hr bourbon ron
pgbGa ar instuonS l. WeleSme this open dIGr
their Honorable sTuEges to repair the and
humatons of the war between the States. and
leading us in this course of National duty to a
Mr. Byan to
impore the Democracy of the Senate to ratfy the
with needless fears because it's ratification would
open to the absoutists another opportunity to test
the courage and sincerity of the grand Democracy
Mr.. Morgan criticised the Senate Steering Com
mittee because, in its arrogance and power, he
said. had kept the Spooner bill before the Senate.
Mr.. Allison. member of the Steering Committee,
called Mr. Morgan's attention to the fact that the
consent. II desire TO assure the Senator he said,
that the Steering Committee has nothing to do
with the pending measure
Mr. Morgan-I glad to know that.
Mr. Chamberlain I may add for the Senator's
info1 nation that the Steering Committee had no
authority to deal with it,
Mr. Morgan attacked the bill because. he main
tanned, it concentrated all the power over the
Philippines in the President of the United States
1t legaizing absolutism, and took away from
the Senate the power to confirm the appointments
OF the President Il do not know" he said,
whether the President is demanding from Con-
gress this imperial power. His conduct thus far
OF our island possessions does not justify the
pcion that he desires the vast powers conferred
upon him by this bill merely for his ag
grandizement for any imperial purposes. This
is an unhallowed power. and ought not to be
conferred upon the President. Fraud has already
touched his Administration in Cuba, but
is more sorrowful it than he: is
more indignant than he
PLEA FOR THE NICARAGUA CANAL
Mr.. Morgan made a long argument in support OF
the Nicaragua Canal project doubly necessary
because Of the Philippine possessions. He de-
clared there was even now revolution IN the
State of Panama, which being fomented. in
cited and aided by various canal companies which
had propositions before the United States for
sideration. Referring to the suggestions that had
been made to this Government by these canal
companies. he inquired: "I'd like know how
much of this kind of insolence the American
Senate can stand without having its stomach
turned" He bitterly denounced the syndcates
which had been organized under New-York and
New-Jersey laws for the purpose of controlling
canal routes the Isthmus of Darien. 1t is
outrage on all public decency' he urged; IAN
violation of the criminal laws OF the United
States. While stand here to rebuke 1t the rail-
road combination which is opposing the canal is to-
conspiracy and combination to compel them to
full railroad rates charged at the pleasure Of
this great railroad combination. from which their
industries suffering extent indescribable,
and which nobody has yet even attempted TO es-
innate
At the close OF Mr.. Morgans speech. Mr.. Allison
called up the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill. The
bill carried as 1t passed the House s6l sol 26o and
reported to the Senate. $50, 800 Sxty-fve of the
one hundred and 1fty-seven pages were disposed
OF before the measure laid aside for the day.
sentative Ermentrout, of Pennsylvania