The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-01-31


acts and make no attempt to do what it
has no power to do--to pledge or limit
the action of future Congress. Sufli-
Gent unto the day is the duty thereof.
Ii these principles are enforced, 80 far
as applicable to the government or
these islands, the inhabitants will be
blessed, whether they consent thereto
in advance or not"
Mr.. Ross argued that the people of
the islands manifestly were not pre-
pared to enter upon the administration
of such q government as the people of
this country had. He urged, therefore,
that the first step to be taken by Con-
gress in the discharge of its duty to the
islanders was to create department
of the government charged with the
duty of looking to the interests of the
islands and of supplying accurate in
formation to Congress with reference
to them. They should not, as now, be
left in charge of departments over
loaded and overworked. The second
step is to remove all civil appointments
in the island from the realm of politics.
In conclusion Mr.. Ross demanded
that "the nation take up the duty
which the ruler of men and nations has
placed upon it, go forward in an hon
est, unselfish, intelligent and earnest
endeavor to discharge it for the highest
interest of the nation and of the is
lands, in the fear and under the direc-
ton of the Supreme Ruler, who guided
the fathers and founders, and the ma
ton will not, cannot, encounter fail
ure."
In the House the case of Brigham Fl.
Roberts, the Mormon representative,
was the subject for debate. The gal
leries were packed to suffocation, chief
ly with women and the spectators,
who remained long after nightfall to
hear the impassiOned words OF the ac-
cused as he faced the House, knowing
that every hand was raised against him.
MIR. Roberts was very adroit in the
handling of his case and at times ex
ceedingly dramatic. Taking advantage
of the issue raised by the division in
the committee as to the method OF onst-
ing him, he appropriated to himself the
argument of the minority that he was
constitutionally entitled to be sworn in,
and the arguments of the majority,
that once sworn in, he could not be ex-
PEELED. He defended the action of the
Mormons in fighting the authority of
the United States for years because he
said they believed that sentiment would
change. and dramatically stated that in
those days he would rather have his
flesh hewn from his bones than to have
renounced his religious tenets. He
concluded with an eloquent peroration
in which he said he had never been
conscious of shameful act, and if he
was sent forth he would go with head
erect and undaunted brow. Strange to
say, most of the applause he won was
from women. But, while they appear
ed to be his only partisans, other
women manifested their bitter hostility
by Kissing him at every opportunity.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24-In the Sem
ate, Pettigrew of South Dakota spoke
on the resolution offered by him on
Tuesday which calls upon the Presi-
dent for the report of Gen. John s.
Bates, concerning the treaty made
with the Sultan of Sulu. Mr.. Petit
grew said slavery in it's worst form ex-
listed in the Sulu group of islands and
the treaty itself provided that every
slave could purchase his freedom
at the regular market price. He said
the amount of salaries paid to the Sui
tan and officials under the treaty was
80, 120, yet the Spanish government
paid them only $4,000. The transla-
ton of the treaty, he said, was with
held from the people until after the
Ohio elections. This is merely a part
of the policy of concealment and CEN
soring adopted by the administration.
The Democratic members of the SEN
ate have held conference to consider
the question OF party policy on the vsri-
Gus questions before Congress.
On the question of the policy to be
pursued toward the Philippine archi-
pelago, which attracted more attention
than any other, there was a very gener-
al exchange of views, the consensus of
opinion evidently favoring the policy
outlined in the islands until quiet was
restored, when the United States shall
provide the opportunity and prescribe
the method for the formation of gov
eminent by and of the people of The
Philippine islands to be independently
exercised and controlled by themselves.
There was also discussion of the bills