The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-07

the Filipinos in setting up stable gov
eminent there we could obtain perpetual
free entry for our goods and escape the
great question that was perplexing.
The cost of maintaining an army Of 65.-
900 men. which would be necessary II We
retained the Philippines would be three
times the value of the imports and ex-
ports of the islands.
Morris thought there were higher and
nobler issues involved in the acquisition
of the Philippines than the benefits to our
trade. He devoted himself to the consd-
tutional view of the case, arguing that the
right to acquire territory had become es-
tablished by the decisions of the courts.
Neville, in opposing annexation. said he
promised his constituents never 10 vote a
dollar for the support Of the sultan of Sulu
with his eight wives and l44 slaves
Cochran said that il we were to govern
the Philippines under the constitution it
must be subject to all the limitations OF
that instrument. He called attention to
the fact that the agreement made with the
sultan of Sulu recognized slavery and was,
therefore, in violation of the amendment
to the constitution, which provided that
slavery should be forever prohibited. not
only in the United States, but in all terri
tory over which IL exercised jurisdiction.
Cochran said that many slaves in the
Sulu group were Christians or the descend
ants of Christians captured by the fanau-
cal AOfus. Inc udy tne American nag Was
raised ever these islands was day of dis
grace.
William Alden Smith (Mich), the mem
Der Of the foreign affairs committee who
offered an amendment in committee for
a minister resident to the South African
republic ard the Orange Free State. said
he knew il would be useless to offer the
amendment in the house. as single objec-
ton would defeat it, He would, therefore,
urge separate bill, not TO embarrass the
government, but because he believed
diplomatic officer OF the government was
needed in South Africa. Turning TO the
Philippine question, Smith said IL was use
less to attempt to please the other side of
the house The Democrats were also in
the opposition. Speaking of Cuba. he ex-
pressed hts regret that the government
had been committed to q policy there by
the resolutions put I'm by Senator Teller
as sop TO the powers of Europe. Recur-
ring 10 the question of the Transvaal he
said the meetings held all over the coun-
try evidenced the popular sympathy with
the Beers. But, much as his sympathy
went out to the Beers, he wished only
Tor England's renown. glory and power.
because he believed the glory of England
would rebound TO the benefit of Anglo
Saxon civilization everywhere.
Now, when there was a popular demand
that the president should offer to medi-
ate in the struggle in South Africa, he
thought we could properly wait until the
ripe judgment of the president should de-
eide that the time had come to act. (Ap-
plause.)
IL you want to follow the president"
said Richardson of Tennessee, do you ex-
peet to follow him in his recommendation
of free trade for Puerto Rico, or viii you
follow the ways and means committee
recommendation for % per cent duty
Il am with the president" replied
Smith. He Is the leader OF our party and
the embodiment OF more wisdom than can
be found in all the cohorts OF Democracy"
Republican applause)
After some remarks by III. S. Smith
tMich), supporting the Boer side of the
South African contention, the house, at
p. m, adjourned.