The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-18
NOTHING BUT TALK.
Senate Continues to WrestIe
With Philippine Problem.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-By special or
der it was 1 o'clock when the senate
convened, the delay being on account
of the ceremonies attendant upon the
unwilling of the Webster statue. Mr.
Allen (Neb.) offered a resolution di-
recting the secretary of state to inform
the senate if any person had been ac-
credited from the Transvaal to the
United SCates government in any ca
pacity and if such person were official
~ accepted and recognized and if not
why not
Objection was made to immediate
consideration of the resolution and 1t
went over under the rules. Mr.. Ross
Wermont) offered a resolution declar-
ing that the provisions of the constr
tuition DO not, una1ded by act OF con
gress, extend over Porto Rico and the
Philippine islands; that by the Paris
treaty the United States takes SOW
ereignty over Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines and are under duty to exercise
it for the general welfare of the inhab-
itants; and that a separate department
of the government is demanded to take
charge of all outlying dependencies.
In accordance with previous notice at
the conclusion of routine business MI
Wellington (NGd.) addressed the senate
on the Philippine question. The text
of his speech was the joint resolution
which he introduced on Tuesday last
declaring that it is not the purpose of
the United States to deprive the Fill
pinos of their right of government
and the war now being waged is not
for the permanent possession of the is
lands, but for the establishment of
peace and order and further declaring
that the F'ilipinos shall have the priv
iIege under the protection of the United
States of establishing a republic.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, Jan. 1S.-The house met
at 1 o'clock today in order to give mem
bers an opportunity to attend the GER
emOnies in connection with the unveil-
ing of the statue of Daniel Webster.
Saturday, February 3. was set aside for
paying tribute to the memory of the
Representative Ermentrout of Pennsyl-
vania- Mr. Hopkins Qll.) moved that
the house &c into committee of the
while for the consideration of the SEN
ate bill extending the scope of the 18th
census.
MIR. Russell (Conn.) said the opposi-
ton to the bill was confined to the
house amendment to empower the di-
rector of the census to contract for
printing outside the government print
ing office. He suggested that general
debate be closed at o'clock. This was
agreed to and Mr.. Hopkins motion was
adopted.
Mr. Hopkins explained that the bill
with the exception of the fourth Sec
ton met the unanimous approval of the
census committee This section author
ICES the director of the census to con-
tract outside of the government print
ing office for printing the census re-
ports.
Mr.. Hopkins in defending the section
said the public printer would be given
as much of the printing as he could do.
The rest could be done as we'll and
cheaply outside. He assured the house
that this work would be performed by
union labor In response to a question
from Mr.. Shattuc (Ohio) he said he
would be willing to incorporate an
amendment requiring that the work
should be done by union labor.
Mr.. Wheeler (Kentucky) asked why If
government work was to be let to the
lowest bidder there should be any pro-
vision restricting it to firms employing
union labor. Mr.. Hopkins replied that
he would accept the amendment to
show there was no hostility to union
labor.
Limiting this work to union offices, .
observed Mr.. Sims, CTenn.) "is rank
class legislation"
Mr.. Babcock (Wis.) asked what there
was to prevent a rat office if it was
the lowest bidder from obtaining the
work.
There is not a rat Office in America, .
retorted Mr.. Hopkins. which can do
this work"