The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-26
Speeches by Vest, Fairbanks, TilIman,
SpOoner, Morgan, HOar and 9th
er Well-known Members.
CANNON AGAIN WATCHDOG
GUARDS THE TREASURY AGAINST AN
ATTACK BY THE NAVY.
II Instrumental I'm Cutting OF PrOvi-
sion for Construction of Two Bat-
tleshfps and Two Cruisers.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The real strug-
gle for insular legislation at this session
began to-day in the Senate. The army ap-
preparation bill was under consideration
and the Philippine amendment was reached.
In addition ,the Cuban amendment was
propositions began. Sharp opposition to
the Philippine amendment developed on the
Democratic side, beginning with a point
of order, which the Senate overruled, and
followed with speeches by Senators Till
man, Rawlins, Caffery, Bacon and Morgan.
The amendment was defended by its author
(Mr. Spooner), who pointed out the
necessity for the legislation. Senator'S
Vest, Hoar, Bacon and Rawlins offered
amendments tending to limit the powers
conferred by the Spooner amendment. SEN
ator Morgan made an extended speech
severely criticising the proposed legislation.
An evening session was held to allow time
to continue the debate.
There is movement on foot looking to a
modification Of the Philippine amendment
which will prohibit the disposal of the pub
bestowal of franchises during the pendency
of the temporary government authorized by
the proposed legislation. The friends of the
measure are disposed to accept the amend
ment. Some of them have indicated will
ingness to make concessions on these lines,
but no concerted action has yet been un-
dertaken. Confidence is expressed i'm the
acceptance of the amendment with these
changes incorporated in it.
At the opening of the session to-day a
resolution offered by Mr.. Gallinger, of the
committee on pensions, authorizing that
committee to make an examination of all
laws granting pensions to soldiers, their
survivors and dependents, to make investi-
cation of special pension legislation and to
make any other inquiry on the general
subject Of pension legislation as the COM
mittee may deem desirable was adopted.
Consideration was then resumed of the
army appropriation bill. Mr.. Platt, of Con-
necticut, reported from the committee on
relations with Cuba an amendment defining
the relations of this government with the
proposed government of Cuba. 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on military af-
fairs.
Mr.. Pettus presented written statement
raising a point of order against the COM
mittee amendment to the bill comforting
authority upon the President to provide a
civil government for the Philippines.
HELD TO BE IN ORDER.
The president pro tem.. Mr.. Frye, SUBJ
mitted the point to the Senate. The
amendment was decided to be in order by
a vote of 80 to g. the detailed vote being as
follows:
Yeas-Aldrich. Allison, Baker, Bard. Bev-
eridge, Burrows, Carter. Chandler. Cullon.
Foster Gallinger. Hanna, Hansbrough.
Mccumber. Fan McMiIian. Milan Mason Mason. "feo9se, Pe1rose,
Perkins. Platt of New York, Platt of Con-
necticut, Proctor, Quarles, Scott, Sewell
Shoup, Simon, Spooner, Stewart, Thlrston,
Wolcott-39.
Nays-Allen. Bacon. Bate Berry. Butler,
Harris, Heitfeld, McEnery, Mallory, Mar
tin, Morgan, Pettigrew, Rawlins, Talia-
ferro. Teller, Tillman, Turley. Vest-23
Mr. Spooner offered an amendment to the
amendment providing that until perma-
nent government shall have been estab-
lished in the Philippine archipelago full re-
ports 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 in
formation shall be supplied to the Presi-
dent as to the condition of the islands The
Spooner amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Vest offered the following amend
ment to the Philippine provisions: THAT
no judgment, order act. by any of said
officials, so appointed shall conflict with
the law and Constitution of the United
States
Mr.. Spconer did not think the proposed
amendment was necessary. He thought
this fact ought to be recognized. especially
by Democrats. Many Of them held that
the Constitution extended to the Philippine
islands ex proprio vigore.
Mr.. Vest replied that the doctrine that
the Constitution was in force in the Phil
irplnes was held by such good Republic
ans as ex-senator Edmunds. ex-President
Harrison, Ex-Governor Boutwell, and many
others He did not know what the de-
cision of the Supreme Court upon this
point .would be- He would be a bold man.
he said, who would venture to say what
the decision would be. but 1t was rumored
that the Supreme Court would not decide
the question at all as to whether the Con-
stitution extended to the islands OF its
own force. Every lawyer knew. he said,
how the court could evade the question,
and II even had been suggested 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 opposed the Phil
ippine amendment He declared It was a
bold and naked proposition 10 invest III
President with plenary powers to govern
the Philippine archipelago In civil way.
Yet he said. objection was raised TO the
Constitution Of the United States being tbs