The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-01-24
IN CONGRESS-.

was yesterday in the throes of discus.
sion of the Philippine question. Mr.,
Vest of Missouri voiced the opinion
of many Senators in the remark
that the discussion was of no Conse-
quence as the country was confront I'd
Dy a state of facts that could not be
changed by talk.
Mr.. Pettigrew's resolution of inquiry
and Mr.. Lodges substitute for it were
LAID on the table, and Mr.. Hoar's gener-
al resolution of inquiry as TO the facts
of the Philippine war was taken up.
An effort of Mr.. Pettigrew to amend it
80 as to call for the Presidents instruc-
tions to the Paris peace commissioners
was rejected by vote of Al to 20.
The urgent deficiency appropriation
bill was taken up in the House. 1t was
the general expectation that it would
open up stormy debate upon the ques-
ton of expansion in view of the large
army and navy items it contains, but
the members early became very much
engrossed in a discus sion of an item of
Sl50,000 for rural free delivery, in
which all are personally interested, and
the subject of expansion was barely
touched upon.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II An agree.
ment was easily reached in the Senate
today to take the final vote on the pend
ing bill fixing gold as the standard OF
value in the United States on February
Is. In the intervening time the meas
ure will be discussed.
After several days of debate the drag
net resolution of inquiry regarding the
conduct of the Philippine war was
adopted in the Senate. 1t was intro
duced by Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts
and practically was adopted as gen.
eral substitute for resolutions of sim
liar, but less extended character, offer
ed by Mr.. Pettigrew and Mr.. Lodge.
Beyond a vigorous speech by Mr.. Pet
tigrew the resolution aroused no de
bate as ii is within the discretion of the
President to send or not any informa-
ton required.
The resolution introduced in the
Senate several days ago by Mr.. Hal
of Maine, calling upon the secretary
of state for information relating to the
seizure of American -four by the Brit.
ish authorities in Delagoa Bay, wa
laid before the Senate, and Mr.. Hale
said it needed, he thought, no iuvesti-
CATION by a committee to determine
that flour was not contraband of war.
"a majority of the Senate can stile
this resolution" said Mr.. Hale, warm
ly, "but it cannot be suppressed III
any other way" The resolution was
adopted after spirited debate and Of
ter material amendment.
The House committee on election OF
President and Weep President today
agreed on a favorable report on the
Joint resolution for an amendme nt to
the constitution for the election OF
United States senators by direct vote
of the people.
The House had another inning to.
day over the sale of the New York
custom house by Secretary Gage. Toe
urgent deficiency bill was passed with
only one unimportant amendmen
Senator Ross of Vermont offered a
resolution declaring that the provisions
of the constitution do not, unaided by
an act of Congress, extend over Puerto
Rico and the Philippine Islands; that
by the Paris treaty the United States
takes sovereignty over Puerto Rice
and the Philippines under the duty t.
exercise it for the general welfare of
the inhabitants, and that separate de
partment of the government is de-
manded to take charge of all outlying
dependencies.
Senator Ross gave notice that be
would speak on the resolution mex
Tuesday. ar.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19-In the Sen
ate the Allen resolution inquiring Of
40 IF tat ha
sent representative to Washington
and, if so, the reason Tor refusing tC
recognize him, was called up. Senator
Spooner offered amendment request
ing the President, "if not incompati
BILE with the public interest" Speak
ing for the adoption of amendment Mr.
Spooner repudiated the idea that peo
pie should know everything that is be
ing done in diplomatic circles.