The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-26
DAY OF SPEAKING
IN THE j. S. SENATE
--------~--~---4-----------
Army Appropriation Bill I'm
der Consideration.
PHILIPPINE AMEN DMENT
Senators Tilman, Rawlins, Caffery
Bacon and Morgan Criticize.
SENATOR sPOONER DEFENDS MOTION
An Evening Session Held 10 Allow Debate
Conference Agreed to on P. o.; the
Diplomatic and Appropria-
ton Bills.
ton Bills.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 25.-The struggle for
insular legislation at this session was be-
gun today in the Senate. The Army APP
preparation Bill was under consideration
and the Philippine amendment was
reached. In addition the Cuba amend
ment was offred and the general debate
on these propositions began. Sharp OPP
position to the Philippine amendment de-
veloped on the Democratic side, begin
ming with a point OF order which the SEN
ate overruled and followed with speeches
by Senator's Tillman. Rawlins, Gallery,
Bacon and Morgan. The amendment was
defended by its author, Mr.. Spooner, who
pointed out the necessity for the legisla-
tion. Senators Vest, Hoar, Bacon and
Rawlins offered amendments tending TO
limit the powers conferred by the Spooner
amendment. Senator Morgan made an ex-
tended speech severely criticising the pro-
posed legislation. An evening session
was held TO allow time to continue the
debate. Conferences we're agreed to OH
the Pcstofice and the Diplomatic and
/ Appropriation bills. Mr.. Butler (NOrth
Carolina) being one OF the conferees ON
the former
A Senate bill creating the Eastern
Division of the Northern Federal Judicial
District Of Georgia was passed Mr..
Morgan offered resolution declaring that
the Nicaragua Canal Bill was entitled to
be placed in the order OF unfinished bust
ness. The resolution went over until to-
| morrow.
House bill amending the act provid-
! ing a civil government for Porto Rico
and to Increase the salary OF the Commits
sioner Of Education OF the island, was
called up by Mr. Foraker. The Senate
| committee reported a substitute for the
House bill. Mr. Foraker presented an
| amendment providing that all customs
and internal taxes of the island should
be paid into the Treasury of Porto Rico
island instead of being paid first into the
! Treasury Of the United States.
| Mir. Bacon Georgia. thought it very
| Important that all moneys collected as
revenues should go into the Treasury or
the United States in accordance with the
Constitution Il was fundamental fact
chat all revenues must be paid into the
Treasury OF the United States Mr..
Foraker finally withdrew the contested
amendment and the bill was passed.
| Consideration then was resumed of the
Army Appropriation Bill.
| Mr.. Plat (ConnecticuD reported the
| Cuban amendment defining the relations
of this Government with the proposed
| Government of Cuba 1t was referred to
the Committee ON Military Affairs
! Mr.. Pettus (Alabama) presented a writ
ten statement raising a point OF order
| against the committee amendment to the
| bill comforting authority upon the Presi-
! Gent to provide civil government for the
Philippines. 1t was decided to be in order
| by a vote of 80 to %
| Mr.. Spooner offered an amendment to
| the amendment providing that until a
permanent government shall have been
established in the Philippines archipelago
| full reports shall be made to Congress
On the first day Of each regular session
! of all legislative acts and proceedings OF
! the temporary government and that full
! information shall be supplied to the
! President IS to the conditions in the
islands. Tie amendment was agreed to,
| Mr., Vest (MissourD offered the follow
ms amendment to the Philippine proyis-
| on
That no Judgment. order or act, by
any Of said officials, so appointed. shall
conflict with the law and Constitution OF
the United States"
Mr.. Spooned thought this unnecessary.
Mr.. Vest replied that the doctrine thar
| the Constitution was in force in the
Philippines was held by such good Re-
publicans as ex-senator Edmunds. ex-
President Harrison. Ex-Governor Bouteil
and many others. Re said it was ru-
nIored that the Supreme Court would not
decide the question ut all az to whether
the Constitution extended to the Islands
OF It's own force. 1t had even been sug-
gested that the court might say that the
government of the island possessions OF
this country was entirely within the
military power Of the government.
Mr.. Tillman vigorously declared the
PHILIPPINE amendment was d bold and
naked proposition TO invest the Presi-
dent with plenary power to govern the
Philippine archipelago in civil way.
Yet he said, objection was raised to the
Constitution Of the United States being
the Presidents guiding star 1T was
not proposed. he asserted that the
President should be hampered even by
the Constitution.
Mr.. Tillman declared that the enact
ment of the proposition into law to-
gether with granting of certain requests