The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-12-18
PHILIPPINE BILL
DEBATE IN HOUSE
Payne, Leaderoi the Republicans,
Opened the Debate in Favor
Of Majority Report.
DEMOCRATSOPP0SE MEASURE
Representative DcrmOnd, of Mis-
souri,, In imprisoned Speech
Opposes Retention of
the Islands.

WASHINGTON. Dec IA bin 70
provide temporary revenues for the
Philippine Islands was debated In the
house today and will be- voted on to-
morrow at o'clock II was the FIRST
debate Of the session and was con.
ductrd calmly and without display of
temper Several lively exchanges and
an lmpassioncd speech by Dcrmond u
Missouri. who has just returned from
a trip 10 the Philippines. In opposition
Ia retention ~ the islands were the
features Payne noor leader II the
majority. opened the debate owing
20 the lndlspoIllon uf Richardson. the
duty " opening for the minority de-
yolycd upon swanson Of Virginia The
other speakers were Gruscvcnor NlcpJ,
NJ Ohio. and Robertson tDcm). of
Louisiana Tor the bin and McssrH. Sha.
frph tsnycritrl. ot Colorado. Dear
mOnd prml. of Missouri Thayer
ipcml. ot Massachusetts, and Patler-
ron tpcmD. ~ Tennessee. against It,
Tomorrow Mccall ORcpl. member Of
tho ways and means committee from
Massachusetts,, will oppose the bill,
time having been granted by the Dem
ocrIts
Ppync In opening the debate, care
inlly explained the purpose of the bill.
which already has been set forth In
his report
Mr. Payne reviewed at some length
the events leading up to the formu-
lntion of the tnrin He oontrastel the
spanish rates with those hNcd by the
commission on Hour. for instance he
said. the rate had been reduced from
tlSS TO 90 cents, on rice. from 80 cents
tu 20 cents. and on hams and smoked
meats from Ssls to 81 Proportionate
reductions had been made on other
Inrticlcs Mr. Payne explained that
the commission also had deemed II
wise TO continue a portion NJ the old
| spanish export tax on hemp. sugar and
tobacco. owing TO the ditflculty OF
lcyyinR and collecting a land tax. Per
sonally. hr said he did no, like the
idea OF an export tax. but there seemed
no other way at present There was
necessity for immediate action to mee,
the situation created by the decision Of
the supreme court.
Mr. Payne also explained the feature
~ the hill providing FOR the extension
OF the navigation laws OF the United
states TO the islands and the permls-
sion II granted TO foreign vessels IL
ply between the Philippines and Amer
lean ports until January, 1905, Mr.
Payne's statement that by that time II
was hoped American ships would b,
able TO take care OF this business
aroused scattering applause on his
side " the house
During Mr. Pnyne's speech there wa'
quite coloquy between Mr. Gaines
~ Tennessee, who visited the islands
last summer and Mr., Payne The lat,
ter described the success OF the Phil
lppine commission and asserted tha
the Republicans were trying to IN
the FilIpinos to American citizenship
Mr. Gaines declared the constitution
and the flag should be carried to tn,
Philippines,
MIR, Thnyer. OF Massachusetts, onpos
ed the bill, He said we had oyerpow
cred the Fillpinos, but had not con
quered them. The same spirit OF llDer
~ which led them to rebel agains
Spain stlll animated them,