Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-31


year. He contended it would be unsafe
to reduce taxes at this time. Mr.. Rich
ardson, minority leader, announced
that he was in favor Of the total repea,
of the war tax on beer.
Washington, May 24.-The duty OF
the United States TOWARD its sisland
POSSESSIONS was the subject of
heated discussion in the senate again.
Soon after the body convened Sena-
tor Bacon (Ga) began an extended
reply to the speech of Senator Platt,
delivered Wednesday. His speech was
largely supplemental to that which he
delivered several days ago, demanding
an investigation of Cuban financial at
fairs. The remainder of the after
noon was occupied by Senator Spoon
er in concluding his speech on the
Philippine question. Many of his
statements were controYerted by
Senators Allen (Neb) and Pettigrew
Is. D., and the controversy at times
became almost personal Senator
Spooner in resuming his speech
maintained the facts proved that an
attack upon the United States troops
was not only made by Aguinaldo but
had been long premeditated. He de-
clared that nobody but an anti-im-
perlallst who by his words and actions
desired to dishonor his country and
make campaign capital in a presiden-
tlal election could have so little of
good faith as to make the brutal
charge against the president that he
had been responsible for the precipi-
tation of hostilities." Continu-
ing the argument, Senator Spoon
er said there had been an at
tempt to make an issue of imperialism
where none actually existed. It was
done merely for political effect and to
obscure the political issue of 1896. The
issue had been employed by Bryan
and was being exploited by every
branch OF the opposition to the repub-
lican party. After an explanation of
the bill under discussion, saving If
was merely a temporary measure to
indicate that congress was behind the
president in his effort to give a good
government to people seven thous-
and miles away, Senator Spooner said.
in conclusion:
The American people will stand
behind the American army wherever
it may be under our flag"
Right or wrong" interjected Sem
ator Pettigrew.
1T will be right" responded Sena-
tor SpOoner, holly. But the
American people will determine
that question; not the
senator from South Dakota. We will
do what is generous and right. We
will give them a good government, an
honest government. If we come upon
a dishonest employe we send him to
the penitentiary. Then the day will
come when those people are ENJOYING
the blessings of prosperity, content
ment and good government, when the
American people will grant them an
autonomous government; when we
nave erected a government In Cuba
stable and strong; when we have con-
ferred the blessings of civil liberty up
on the people of Porto Rico; when we
have given to the Filipinos such a gov
eminent and such an administration
as they never dreamed of,-then we
shall have worked our contamination
more gloriously and given a greater ex-
ample of what liberty can do than has
ever before been seen in the history of
the world"
Washington, May 24.-The house
practically devoted eight hours to con-
slderation of the Alaskan civil govern
ment bill, but the progress was slow.
Washington, May 25.-The discus
sion of the Spooner Philippine bill was
continued in the senate by Senator
Morgan (Ala). On the general oues-
ton of ownership and government by
the United States of the Philippine isl
ands, he was in accord with Senators
Spooner and Lodge, but regarded the
pending bill as unWise and dangerous
legislation because Of the great power
IL placed in the hands of the president.
lie was satisfied however, the measure
would not be passed by this congress,
and declared it was being used as a foil
10 thrust aside the Nicaragua canal bill.
senator Morgan made long argument
IN support of the Nicaragua canal as
douDly necessary now that we are in
the Philippines, with earnestness and
Vlgor, and he arraigned the new Pana-
ma canal company for having been in
strumental in preventing the passage
or the Nicaragua canal bill at the
present session.
washington, May 25.-The house de-
Voted TWO hours to the consideration of
the Alaskan civil government bill with
OUT completing it. Among the bills ia
VoraDly acted upon were the senate
Dllls TO pension the widow of the late
captain Gridley, who commanded the
olympia In the battle of Manila. $50
per month, the widow of the late Com
modore r. w. Meade, $40 per month,
ana the widow of the late Gen. NJ. M.
Force of Ohio $50 per month.
washington, May 2S.-In the course
o1 a speech in favor of the adoption
OF the resolution expressing the
senates sympathy for the beers Sen
ator wellington (Md.) referred to the
secret understanding existing be-
tween the United States and