The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

of such an important subject az legisla-
tion affecting the future government OF
Cuba.
Mr. Pettus made the point of order that
the Spooner amendment as to the govern
ment of the Philippine Islands was not in
order as being general legislation ON an
appropriation bill: but the Presiding OH
cer Mr. Frye declined to rule upon the
point of order until the amendment was
reached.
When the amendment was reached he
said that he would submit the question to
the Senate for its decision. He did so,
and the amendment was decided to be in
order-yeas, 50; nays ga strict party
vote, the Republicans in the affirmative
Id the Democrats and Messrs. Allen.
Butler. Heitfeld, Pettigrew. and Teller in
the negative. Mr.. Hoar did not vote.
The Spooner amendment is as follows:
IAN military, civil. and judicial
powers necessary to govern the Phil
ippine Islands, acquired from Spain by
the treaties concluded at Paris on the
10th day of December, 1898. and at
Washington on the 9TH day OF Novem-
ber. 1900. shall, until otherwise pro-
vided by Congress, be vested in such
person and persons and shall be ex-
ercised in such manner as the PreSi-
dent of the United States shall direct,
for the establishment of civil govern
ment and for maintaining and protect
ing the inhabitants of said islands in
the free enjoyment of their Liberty,
property and religion: Provided, That
all franchises granted under the au-
thority hereof shall contain reserya-
tion of the right to alter, amend, or
repeal the same
Mr.. Pettigrew enquired how the Chair
had voted on the question.
rs. that a question of order?" asked Mr..
Frye.
TT is a question of privilege" Mr.. Pet
tigrew replied.
''The Chair did lot vote" the Presiding
Officer said.
81 think the Chair was wise" Mr.. Pet
tigrew commented, amid laughter.
Mr.. Vest moved to amend the amend
ment by adding TO it the words:
Provided, That no judgment. order, or
act by any of the said officials so ap-
pointed shall conflict with the Constitu
tion and law of the United States"
Opposed by MIR. spooncr.
Mr.. Spooner opposed Mr. Vests amend
ment as unnecessary, inasmuch the
Democratic doctrine was that the Consti
tuition extended to the Philippine Islands
proprio vigore. Mr. Vest expressed his
astonishment at MIR. Spooners referring
to that as Democratic doctrine when it
had been endorsed by such Republican
statesmen as ex-senator Edmunds, ex-
President Harrison, ex-senator Boutwell,
ex-senator Henderson. and others. As to
waiting for the decision of the Supreme
Court on the subject Mr.. Vest said that he
would be bold man, in view of the for
mer incidents. who would say what that
decision would be. But it was rumored-
and somehow such rumors seemed to come
from an authoritative source-that the Su-
preme Court proposed not TO decide that
question at all.
Mr.. Spooner said that he had heard no
such rumors; and that If he had heard
them he would have treated them as abso-
lutely idle.
In the course Of legal argument on the
subject MIR. Spooner asserted that Con-
grsss mad never legislated the Constitution
into an unOrganized Territory; and that if
there ever was a ease where that should
not be done ii was the case of the Philip
pine Islands.
Mr.. Tillman complained that the people
could not tell what the situation in the
Philippines really was. First the condition
there was represented as war: and then
the army was increased to 100000 men.
And nov the condition was represented as
one OF peace; and civil government was
to be established by the President.
The milk in the cocoanut'' he said. "is
the purpose OF the Taft Commission and Of
carpetbaggers there to get control of the
public lands and 10 sell the mines
There was nothing else. he asserted in
the proposition. The object was simply
to establish a carpetbag government in
the Philippine Islands and to produce
condition Of things in comparison with |
which the direct period OF carpetbagism /
in the Southern States would pale into in /
significance.
Mr.. Daniel said that there was great |
danger in this class Of legislation. He |
argued that too much power was placed |
in the Presidents hands. He spoke for |
nearly an hour on the conditions in the |
archipelago and the chances for crooked /
work. He advised a provision for tenn
porary legislation and hoped that the /
Spooner amendment would be stricken !
from the bill
Mr. Gallery then spoke against the |
amendment, saying that ii was an attempt
10 thrust absolute despotism into the
hands of the President. He argued that
under the amendment If the Filipinos
ever came into possession OF their own |
they would have no public lands, as these |
would all have been stolen by the Ameri- |
cans in power.
Mr. Hoar interrupted to side with the |
Democrats and say that the Spooner
amendment gave all power 10 the Taft /
Commission.
The Action Not Authorized.
Mr. Cafery resumed his speech. saying |
that the Taft Commission was not salts |
fed with absolute authority in the Philip |
pines. but desired Congress to place the |
property of the FiIipinos in the hands of
the commission. He held that the Senate
had no right to delegate its lawmaking
powers to the President as the amend
ment provides.
Mr. Rawlins also spoke al length /
against the amendment
The following notices Of amendments |
10 the Spooner amendment were given
BY Mr.. Bacon Requiring all grants Of |
franchises and concessions TO be report
cd TO Congress. which reserves the power 1
70 ahnul and modify them.
By Mr.. Pettus: Requiring the persons |
in whom power l. vested in the Philip /
pine Islands 10 take the oath TO support 7
the Constitution of the United States
BY Mr.. Hoar: That no sale or lease 1
shall be made or franchise granted. that 1
is not approved by the President OF the |
United States. and is not ia his judgment |
clearly necessary.
Nr Morgan spoke OF the pending propO- |
sitior as the most portentous and dan
gerous movement that had taken place in !
this country since the civil war What /
had taken place upon the Spooner amend |
ment was but preliminary skirmish TO l
get il in shape He condemned the action |
OF Republican Senators in putting legis-
lation as to the Philippine Islands and 1
fo4 Tor 1r tha a,I