The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-08
THE DAY IN THE SENATE.
Mr.. Depew's Disclaimer in Behalf of
Prof. Schurmnn.

AT Ine conclusion OF routine business III
the Senate yesterday Mr.. Depew precipi-
| tated discussion on the Philippine ques-
| tion by calling attention to some remarks
| on the subject which were made by Mr..
| Pettigrew last week.
In the course of these remarks Mr.. Pet
! tigrew quoted an alleged interview with
! President Schurman, of the Philippine
| Commission, which appeared in a Chicago
newspaper. and in which he was quoted
as saying that AguinaIdo was honest; in
fact, that an unsuccessful attempt was
made in behalf of the Government 10 bribe
the insurgents through him. This speech
had been called to the attention of Mr..
Schurman, which resulted in the following
letter to Mr.. Depew:
see from page 1862 Of the Congressional Rec
ord' that Senator Pettigrew. speaking OF myself.
says: The fact of the matter is that he tried
to bribc the insurgents. as pear as we can ascer-
tain, and failed; fer they would not take gold for
peace"
Had this prcposterous statement been made any
where else / should not have paid any attention
TO it; but as it has been made in the Senate OF
the United States desire TO say to you that it
is absolutely without foundation.
Mr.. Depew pointed out that at the time
when Mr.. Pettigrew's speech was being
made Mr.. Schurman was in Washington
as was also Admiral Dewey but that in
stead of calling them as witnesses. he read
an alleged proclamation of Aguinaldo,
translated by some unknown person. with
out any evidence of authenticity. and pub
lished in a New England newspaper. and
then read an interview purporting to have
been had with President Schurman by an
unknown reporter.
That testimony. Mr. Depew declared de-
served no consideration. and was Of no
value. He continued
The facts. OF the alleged facts. stated
by the Senator from South Dakota are like
Aeinaldo's army. Whenever the United
States troops appear there is no army of
Aguinaldo; and whenever the truth is let
in the alleged facts vanish into thin air.
This whole transaction" said Dr. De-
pew. in conclusion, lis nothing better than
Aguinaldo's government, the seat of which
is in Aguinaldo's hat
Mr.. Pettigrew in the course of reply to
Mr.. Depew's remarks. said that it was Well
known that this Government through the
Philippine Commission. offered money for
the rifles of the insurgents, but no rifles
we're turned in except few that had been
captured and given TO friendly Filipinos by
American soldiers. He added that il was
quite as well known that the Schurman
Commission offered to Aguinaldo what
amounted to s., ,000 a year if he would lay
down his arms.
II charge" Mr.. Pettigrew continued,
that the facts Of this question are being
withheld. and what information is sent to
us is garbled; and l charge that We at
tackled an ally and made a compact with
He said he thought it unfortunate for the
Administration that the whole of Admiral
Dewey's letter to Mr.. Lodge had been made
public, as the latter half Of it confirmed
what had been charged-that the Admiral
had treated the Filipinos as allies.
Mr.. Hoar asked Mr. Depew il he had un-
derstood that Prof. Schurman did not re-
gard Aguinaldo as being honest. TO which
Mr.. Depew replied that he had no further
information than was contained in the let
ter from Prof Schurman.
The subject went over without action.
Mr. Chandler announced that be would
not call up the Quay case. as he had given
notice of intention TO do.
Mr. Turner then addressed the Senate in
opposition TO the Currency bill. He was
followed in turn by Messrs. Bate and
Allen.
Mr.. Vest submitted to the Senate an
10 the Currency bill, providing
that the Secretary of the Treasury shall
have prepared 5000 600. 900 of Treasury
notes. to be known as bond Treasury
notes" 1t further provides that these
bonds shall be full legal tender for all
debts. and shall be loaned by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury TO anybody who may
deposit United States honds for them, the
note TO bear the same interest as the bonds
deposited.
A joint resolution was passed increasing |
the limit of cost of the new Government |
Office by $429, 900.
Mr.. Tillman offered 4 resolution which |
was passed. calling for information from /
the Secretary OF the Treasury as 10 the |
of the claims Of South Carolina for |
moneys paid out by the State in the Flor |
ida war.
The Senate at j:15 O'Clock adjourned un-
i'll today.