Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-26
56TH CONGRESS.
Struggle for InsuIar Legis'a-
ton Begins in Senate.
Philippine Amendment Meets With
Opposition From democrats.
Provisions for Twp BattIcshps and Two Cruis.
crs. Defeated In House.

Washington. Feb. 25.-'Thc real atrug-
gle 70" insular legislation at this SEES
sion began. today. in the Senate. The
army appropriation bill was under dis
cussion and the Philippine amendment
was reached. In addition the cuba
amendment was offered and the gem
e"al Dc bate, on these propositions be
gan.
sharp opposition to the Philippine
amendment developed on the Dcmocrl-
tic side. beginning with Il point Of or
der which the Senate over ruled and
followed with speeches by Senators
Tillman, Rawlins, Gallery, Bacon and
Morgan. The amendment was defend
ed by its author, Spooncr, who pointed
cut the necessity for the legislation.
Senators Vest. Hoar, Bacon and Raw
Inns offered amendments tending to
limit the powers conferred by the
Spooner amendment. Senator Morgan
made an extended speech severely
criticsing the proposed legislation. An
evening session was held to allow time
to continue the debate.
At the opening of todays session the
the post office appropriation bill, Sen
tors Wolcott. Chandler and Butler be-
ing named as confcrees on the pant of
| the Senate.
A House bill to relieve the estates of
William r. Moses and l.. ii. Rogers
| from liability as sureties for Captain
| Hnwgatc, Who as the government otii-
cjal was a defaulter. was passed.
The Senate agreed to a conference on
| he diplomatic and consular appropria-
on hill. and senators Cullom, Hale
| md Teller were named as cOnferees.
| A resolution offered by Gallinger Of
| he committee on pensions was adopt
| ID authorizing that committee To make
IN examination Of all laws granting
pensions to soldiers. their survivors
| ma defendants; to make investigation
| II special pension legislation ANA II
| make any other inquiry on the gen
| raj subject of pension legislation the
! committee may deem advisable.
Morgan offered a resolution declaring
| hat tho Nicaragua canal bill was en-
| titled to be placed in the order Of I'M
| finished business. and under the rules
| 4 the Senate is entitled to the prlvil-
| gcd position.
! The resolution went over until to-
| morrow.
| a House bill amending the act pro-
| .iding for civil government for Por-
! o Rico ana to increase the salary of
| he commissioner of education of tho
| Stand. was called up by Foraker.
| The Senate committee reported q
substitute for the House bill. Foraker
\ Az N
| hat all customs and internal taxes Of
| lie ISLAND should be paid into TIE
| treasury of Porto Rico and be expend-
| ID for the benefit of the island. in
| stead If being first presented into the
reasury Of the United States.
| Morgan pointed out that this PROPOSE
| ion was to pay customs revenues into
| he Porto Rican treasury. In his upin-
| on this was a violation of Specifi"
| pfoxision of the constitution which re-
lui.cd that all customs collected be
aid into the United States treasury.
Foraker explained that it was the
lesrc of the committee to 50 amend
| he law as to enable the people of por-
o Rico to got the benefit of the taxes
;evied
Spooncr pointed out that the theory
If the law was that the United States
VAS acting merely as an agent for
Porto Rico in the collection of customs
lutes.
AS the discussion seemed likely to
pe protractcd. Foraker Withdrew the
contested amendment and the bill was
passed.
Consideration was then resumed iOf
he army appropriation bill. Shoup, in
barge Of the bill, asked that the SEN
tie take a recess from $50 until l.. NJ.
oday. and the request was agreed to.
Plat. Conn. reported from the com
nittee on relations with Cuba, an
mcndment defining the relations of
his government with the proposed
government of cuba. 1t was referred to
he committee on military affairs.
Pettus, Ala. presented Il written
statement raising point of order
gainst the committee amendment to
he bill comforting authority upon the
President to provide 4 civil govern
rent for the Philippines.
Pending action Money. Miss, pre-
ented the credentials of Hon. J. A.
IacLauren. elected a senator from
Massachusetts, for a term of six years
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