Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-18
A PHILIPPINE TALK.
Apparently No Near Deliverance
from the Subject in the Senate.
URGENT DEFICIENCY BILL IN HOUSE.


still in the thrOes OF discussion OF lht
Philippine question and, apparently
there is no near approach to deliv
erance upon the subject. Senator
Vest, of Missouri, yesterday voiced The
opinion of many senator's when he
said that such discussion as was now
in progress was of no consequence, as
the country was confronted by state
of facts that could not be changed by
talk.
Senator Pettgrew's resolution OF
inquiry and Senator Lodges substi-
tute for it were laid on the table yes
terday and Senator lloar's general
resolution of inquiry as to TIE facts
Of the Philippine war was taken up
An effort of Senator Pettigrew to
amend II 50 as to call for the prcsi-
dents Instructions to the Paris peace
commissioners led to prolonged de-
bate. After the senate had consid-
cred the matter behind closed doors
the amendment was elected.
The debate for the day was con
cluded by Senator Vest, who made "A
notable speech in opposition 10 the as
sumption in some quarters that every
man who does not agree with the
policy of the administration is a
traitor to his country. Senator Vest
threw into his utterances all the nerv-
GUS force and energy and the accom-
plished oratorical ability for which he
Is famed and commanded the atten-
ton of the senate throughout.
Senator McLaurin, of South Caro-.
lima, addressed the senate on the tinan-
cial question, making an argument in
favor Of his proposition to confer au-
thority upon state banks to issue cir
culating notes.
Senator Rawins presented a brief
memorial from President Lorenzo
Snow of the Mormon church on the
question of polygamy Mr.. Snow says
be Is pursuaded that there is much
misunderstanding upon this question.
lie says that in accordance with the
manifesto of President Woodruff of
1890 "the church has positively aban-
doned the practice of polygamy or
the solemnization of plural marriages
in this state (I'tah) and every other
state and that no member or officer
thereof has amy authority whatever to
perform plural marriages or enter in
to such relation" Nor" he contin-
ues, does the church advise or en-
courage unlawful cohabitation on the
part of any of its members
The senate ratified the Samoan
treaty without division,
Senator Wellington introduced u
joint resolution declaring that it is
not the purpose of this government
to deprive the FiIipinos of their rights
of self-goyernmcnt. It pledges them
the protection of the United States
in establishing republic when law
and order shall be established.
At 2.4j the senate went into execu-
tive session and at jj adjourned.
Urgent Deficiency Bill In House
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE urgent
deficiency appropriation bill was TIA
ken up in the house yesterday under
an agreement which limited the gen
eral debate to yesterday. II was the
general expectation that II would
open up a stormy debate upon the
question of expansion in view of the
large army and navy items IT con
tains, but the members early became
very much engrossed in discussion
of an item of Sl5O,00O for rural free
delivery, in which all are personally
interested, and the sub cct of cxpan-
sion was barely touched upon. The
last hour Of the debate was cnlivcned
with an attack by Mr.. Richardson,
the minority leader, upon the secre-
tary Of the treasury for his course in
connection with the sale of the New
Yorl, custom house He rchearsed the
charges that Secretary Gage had been
guilty technically Of embezalcment in
connection with the sale of the Gus
tom house in depositing the proceeds
in national bank which was u gov
eminent depository instead of the
treasury of the United States, but
said that this charge would not hold,
His purpose, he said, was to show
that the City national bank had been
favored on account of the contribu-
tions Of Its directors to the republican
campaign f(lnd of 1896 and to show
that the course OF the secretary in
allowing the purchase price to remain
in the bank, while at the same time
paying rent for the property and
keeping It exempt from taxation, was
not dealing fairly with the trust funds
of the government. Mr.. Hopkins, Of
Illinois, champloned the course of the
secretary, declaring that his reply to
the house resolution answered every
charge brought against him and dis
played business ability that must
meet the approval OF all fair-miuded
people. He insisted, furthermore,
that the title TO the custom house
passed to the bank when it purchased
and took possession of the property
and that II had not been exempt from
taxation since II had been purchased.
The debate caused very little excite.
ment and there was no attempt To
renew the assault upon the secretary
after Mr.. Hopkins closed, The urgent
deficiency bill will be taken up for
consideration under the fve-minute