The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-17
PAYNE MAKES OPENING TALK
Sarcastic Colloquy Between the Ways
and Means Chairman and
Several Democratic
Members.
by Associated Press.)

debate is to continue today and tomor-
row until o'clock, when the vote is to
be taken.
Mr.. Payne, the floor leader uf the ma
jority, opened for his side and owing
to the indisposition of Mr.. Richardson,
the floor leader of the minority. who is
suffering from an attack OF Ia grippe,
the task of opening for the democratic
side devOlved upon Mr.. Swanson Of Vir-
ginia.
There was fair attendance in the
galleHes. Before the DEBATE began some
rel/linary business was transacted.
Messrs. DeArmond (Mo) and Broussard
Na.), who had not heretofore appeared
at this session, took the oath.
After the routine had been disposed
of, Mr.. Payne moved that the house go
into committee Of the whole, Cor the
consider alton of the Philippine revenue
bill.
Two democrats, Vandiver (Mo.) and
Cooper CTex.), attempted to interrupt
the motion with requests for unanimous
consent to consider Schley resolutions
but Mr.. Payne declined to yield the floor
and his motion prevailed.
Opening the Debate.
Mr.. Payne, in opening the debate, care
fully explained the purpose of the bill.
which already has been set forth in his
report.
During Mr.. Payne's speech there was
quite a colloquy between Mr.. Gaines
(Tenn.), who visited the islands last
summer, and Mr.. Payne. The latter de-
scribed the success Of the Philippine
commission and asserted that the re-
publicans were trying to lift the Fill
pinos to American citizenship. Mr.
Gaines declared the constitution and
flag should be carried to the Philippines.
Mr.. Payne said he was surprised that
Mr.. Gaines had not carried the flag and
constitution to the islands.
"You have done that covertly," said
Mr.. Gaines. Il propose to show YOU
up"
Mr.. Payne sarcastically replied that
he supposed Mr.. Gaines had learned
more in brief visit than all the officials
of the United States had in two years
and half.
Mr.. Payne reviewed at some length
the events leading up to the formulation
of the tariff. He contrasted the Spanish
rates with those fixed by the commits
sion. On flour, for instance, he said, the
rate had been reduced from $1SS to so
cents, on rice from 50 cents to 40 cents
and on hams and smoked meats from
1912 to S. Proportionate reductions had
been made on other articles.
Necessity for immediate Action.
Mr. Payne explained that the commits
sion also had deemed it wise to continue
a portion Of the old Spanish export tax
on hemp, sugar and tobacco, owing to
the difficulty of levying and collecting a
land tax.
Personally he said he did not like the
idea of an export tax, but there seemed
no other way at present. There was me-
cessity for immediate action to meet the
situation created by the decision of the
supreme court.
Mr.. Payne also explained the feature
of the bill providing for the extension Of
the navigation laws of the United States
to the islands, and the permission it
granted to foreign vessels to ply between
the Philippine and American ports until
January, 1905.
Mr.. Payne's statement that by that
time 1t was hoped American ships would
be able to take care of this business
aroused scattering applause on his side
OF the house.
Mr.. Payne closed his speech at 1920
and was followed by Mr.. Swanson of
Virginia, who declared that none Of the
benefits for the Filipino people spoken
Of could accrue through the agency of
the pending bill.
The voice of the floor leader of the ma
jority, he said, was the voice Of Jacob,
but the hand was the hand Of Esau.
Mr.. Swanson said that the president
and secretary Of war favored making
generous concessions to sugar and to-
bacco from Cuba, but this bill failed to
make any concessions to the Philippines.
Rnp}nrnoffv in,
ate allow concessions to foreign coun-
tries. but none to the Philippines which
we hold as a part of our own country.
Holding the Philippines by force
weakened instead of strengthened this
country. The money we now wasted in
the Philippines would build us the
largest navy in the world. The solution
of the Philippine problem Was declara-
tion to give them independence as soon
rs stable government could be formed.
Mr.. Thayer (Mass.). opposed the bill.
He said We had overpowered the Fill
pinos but had not conquered them The
same spirit Of liberty which led them to
rebel against Spain still animated them.
Another schley Resolution.
Representative Wheeler of Kentucky
has introduced a resolution to investi-
gate the conduct of Rear Admiral
Schley from the time he took command
of the flying squadron up to and includ-
Ing the destruction Of the Spanish fleet,
July 3, 1888. 1t recites the action Of the
court Of inquiry. and declares the Amer
lean people desire an Investigation by
citizens not connected with the navy de.
partment.
Representative Mudd of Maryland
also introduced a resolution relative to
Admiral Schley, as follows:'
Resolved, That the thanks of con-
gress and of the American people are
hereby rendered to Rear Admira! VIM