The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-01-11
Senators Have Lively Tilt While
Discussing the Measure.
SHARP CRITICISM INDUCED IN
Some Republicans Were Arrayed
With Democrats In OppOsi-
tiOn--President Scored.

For five hours Friday the senate
discussed the army reorganization bill.
The debate took a wide range at times,
but was confined principally to the
question Of the necessity for the in
crease in the regular army provided
for in the pending measure.
The Philippine question was thresh-
ed over at great length, but few really
new points were advanced. Speeches
were made by Mr.. Carter, OF Mon
tana; Mr.. Teller, Of Colorado; Mr..
Hoar, of Massachusetts,; Mr.. Stewart,
of Nevada, and Mr.. Gallery, of Louisi-
ana. One of the sharpest colloquies
of the session was between Mr.. Carter
and Mr.. Wellington, of Maryland.
Mr.. Hoar advanced a proposition to
create a commission, to be composed
of all shades of political opinion, to in
vestlgate the entire Philippine ques-
ton and report it's findings to congress
in order that basis might be formed
for intelligent action. Some slight
progress was made toward the compile
ton of the pending measure.
The resolution offered Thursday by
Mr.. Pettigrew calling for information
with reference to the Philippines was
laid before the senate. and Mr.. Lodge
moved that it be referred to the COM
mittee on Philippines, and it was
finally so referred. Mr.. Pettigrew
said the president maintained there
was no war in the Philippines. The
military committee declared that war
existed there, and that at least 60, 900
men would be required to suppress
the rebellion. He, therefore, demand
ed the facts,
Another of Mr.. Pettigrew's resolu-
tions calling upon the president for
information as to the necessity for an
increase in the strength of the army
was referred to the committee on nil
itary affairs. On demand of Mr.. Pet
tigrew the committee report on the
army bill was read. Mr.. Carter asked
unanimous consent to pass upon the
unobjected amendments. Mr.. Petit
grew objected.
Mr.. Wellington, of Maryland, de-
manded to know the intention of the
administration with reference to the
Philippine islands. If it was to force
an annexation of the Philippines, then
large army would be necessary. Two
campaigns had been fought out and
the situation was worse than ever. Mr..
Wellington was opposed to an increase
Of the army, if the government pur-
poses to try to deprive the Filipinos
of self-government.
Mr.. Carter replied that ''the presi-
dent has no authority to decide what
shall be done with the PHILIPPINES.
''The moment the treaty of peace
was ratified" said he, "that moment
it became the supreme law Of the land
If the president had refused to main
tain sovereignty of the United States
there, he would have laid himself liza
BILE to impeachment.
"Has he not already given up soyer
eighty over a portion of Alaskan" in
quired Mr.. Wellington.
Mr. Carter replied that what tn,
president had done as to the Alaskan
boundary had been accomplished
through modus vivendi, q purel.
temporary arrangement. cit is nev
ertheless fact" declared Mr.. Wei
lington, "that territory over which "
had undisputed sovereignty has bee
abandoned. The British flag has beeI
raised over it, and it is controlled b,
British constabulary. That is th
fact"
: Mr.. Hoar suggested general amend
ment to the bill looking to the con
Citation of the Filipinos and express
ing the opinion that in time of peac
we should have one soldier to eac
: 1000 of our population. He did moi
therefore, he said, oppose the bill o
the score of increase, but he did oT
pose it because of the avowed policy {
military control of the Philippines
l cit is idle" he said, ''to tell us tina
| these people gre not ft for self-goy
eminent. The way to prepare thel
, for liberty is to set them free"
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