Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-01-17
THE ARMY MEASURE.
Considerable Progress Made by the
Senate on the Bill.
APPEAL FROM FlLIPINOS PRESENTED


Washington, Jan. H. considerable
progress was made by the senate yes
terday with the army reorganization
bill, but the final vote upon the meas
ure seems to be as far off as ever Yes
terday's proceedings were character
lied by several sharp colloquies, some
of which were Of a decided personal
nature.
An appeal was presented by Senator
Teller, of Colorado, from more than
1000 persons in Manila urging the
United States government to cease
its operations against the Filipinos.
The appeal is sensational in its state
ments and so unusual in form that
Senator lawley, of Connecticut, made
a vigorous objection to its publca-
ton as a document. He declared
that it was a reasonable denunca-
ton of the government and an attack
upon our soldiers.
Consideration was concluded of the
committee amendments as to the
army reorganization bill and the SEN
ate took up the amendments pro-
posed by individual senators. The
amendments providing for the APP
pointment of Gen. James II. Wilson,
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and Gen. Shafter
to be major generals of the regular
army and retired preciptated an ex-
tended and, on the part of Senator
Pettigrew, n bitter debate. The
amendments prevailed, however, de-
spite the opposition.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, read a
letter from a resident of the Indian
territory inquiring whether one NJ.
N. Edmundson had power or author
ity from congress to enroll 10j fami-
lies as Cherokees. The letter stated
that Edmundson represented that he
had q contract with the Indian COM
mittees of congress whereby he was
enabled to enroll certain number
Of families as Cherokees. Senator
Jones vigorously denounced the meth
dds employed by Edmundson, declar-
ing that his statements were "ridicu-
lousy false" and were part Of a
scheme to rob hundreds of poor peo-
Pile of hard earned money"
The announcement from the house
OF the death of the late Representa-
tive Frank G. Clarke, of New Hamp-
shire, was laid before the senate. A
resolution expressive of the sorrow of
the senate at his death was adopted
and, as an additional mark of respect,
the senate then at sos p. m. adj
iourned.
House Debates River and Harbor bill.
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE general
debate ON the river and harbor bill
continued in the house till four
o'clock yesterday, when the death of
Representative Clarke. Of New Hamp-
shire, was announced and the house
adjourned out of respect to his men,
ory. The features of the debate were
the speeches of Mr.. Cushman, OF
Washington, and Mr. Hepburn, Of
Iowa. The latter has been n persist
ent opponent of river and harbor
bills for years and he attacked the
bill all along the line in his usually
vigorous fashion. Mr.. Cushman's
speech was unique in many particu-
lars. lie was in favor of river and
harbor appropriations and his COM
plant was due to the fact that the
members of the committee, accord
ing to his ideas, had located the bulk
OF the appropriations in their own
states and had given scant consider
allon 10 the needs or oIner states, es-
pecially to the Seattle ship canal in
his own state. Mr.. Cushman illus
trated his remarks with a series OF
carefully prepared charts. lie criti-
cised several of the individual men,
bers of the committee in breezy style
and became engaged in half dozen
very spirited encounters before he
concluded.
Members crowded about the area
in front of the speakers desk where
he stood explaining the figures upon
the charts and every one seemed to
enjoy the picturesque performance
immensely. When he wound up with
a glowing appeal for justice to the
Seattle project he got a stirring round
of applause.