The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-05
PROGRESS ON SHIP SUBSIDY BILL
An Attempt TO be Made Today for a
Nfght-Session In Order to Hasten
This Measure senator Pettiprexx
Discusses the Philippine Question.
Charges OF Toreurfng of Filfpfuos nv
Our Soldfers-House Passes rortfa-
cations Appropriation Bfu-Resolu-
ton as TO Electoral Vote.
SENATE

0&-GiAkCI al
emit legislative experience. begsnn-
ing with the present session OF congress
and covering abou two months, the
bill for the reorganization OF the United
States army today passed the last stage
IN congress and now only awaits the
presidents signature. The finaI step
was taken in the senate. where by a
vote OF 50 10 %. the conference report
on the bill was agreed 10. The house
of representatives already had agreed
to the report.
An opposition developed on the re-
publican side to the report on the al
legged freedom which the conference
had taken in introducing new proyis-
ions. On the final vote several repub-
lican senators voted with the demo-
Gratis against the report.
Some progress was made with the
shlpolng biz. Senator Chandler an
that q night session would be
moved tomorrow To advance the bill to
its final stages.
Senator PeuIigrew called attention to
IA failure OF the senate 10 pass his
resolutions OF inquiry as 10 the Philip
pine situation. He charged thai the
battie OF February 4th was ordered from
Washington and that only such facts
were given out as suited the purpose
OF the party in power. He also charged
that Notwithstanding the to
the Paris commission had been sent TO
the senate in secret the president had
quoted copiously from them in his let
Ter on acceptance. emitting such pOr-
lions as did not suit his purpose. And
yet" he said, the senate refuses TO
make the document public" He also
charged that General MacArthur's re-
port had been suppressed for partisan
purposes and that the reports of the
Taft commission were colored upon or
derS from Washington to fit the emer-
gency. He took especial exception 20
the provision in the bill authorizing the
enlistment of Filipinos.
senator Peutigrew had read a long
letter from Thomas Mascar, a mill
tary governor Of n of the Philippine
provinces. charging that severer tor
lures upon the Fflipinos by the Ameri-
can troops had been inflicted thai the
Spanlards had ever been guilty of. He
believed these ~barbarities were prac-
ticed by the McAbebes of whom it was
now intended to enlist 10, 900.
Senator Gallinger, of New Hamp-
shire, had a tilt with Senator Petit
grew on this subject, and said he did
~ DOIiCNS american SO1OISIS were cum
hitting atrocities any where.
Senator Teller. of Colorado, said that
two United States officers were being
disciplined for practicing the water
cure" on natives. The senator had also
received recently from a man who came
upon a party just after they had in
fiicted this deplorable torture and who
saw the victim covered with blood and
mangled about the mouth.
The amendments fn tho SHINING hill
inserting fifteen years for twenty years
as the utmost limit that compensation
shah be paid. pursuant to the act, was
agreed to. Another amendment agreed
to changes from twenty 70 fifteen years
the period within which new vessels
must be completed.
A third amendment proposed by Sen.
ator Aldrich changed the rate section
by emitting the clauses on 10, 20 and 81.
knot ships and changing the provision
on 1S-knot ships to e "18-knots and
over 16. 10 cents gross ton"
I Before the nate acted on thi:
amendment Senator Rawiins, of Utah
began a general speech in opposition t
the bill. He had not concluded wher
tie went into executive session
and, at 5:45 O'Clock o. m adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house today passed the fortified
progress with the Eostoffice appropria
ton bill. During the general debat
upon the former bill. Mr.. Lanhan, O
Texas, delivered a notable speech upo
the future of the democratic party, j
which he made a strong plea for tn
necessity Of a united democracy, coun
seled the burial of the Ratchet an
the welcoming back Of those who in tn
last two presidential campaigns hav
declined to support the nominees G
y the party. Many amendments wer
offered to the postofffce appropriate
bill in the interest of various classes
postoffice employees. but they all wen
down before points Of order raised b
by Mr.. Loud, the chairman Of tn
postoffice committee. who was I
charge Of the bill.
i A substitute for the senate resolutio
for counting the electoral vote Fet
uary 18th was adoRted. the senat
measure being, 1t was explained, an oil
el ~abrogated resolution.
The house then adjourned.