The Portland daily press., 1901-02-26
Philippine Amendment Under Dis
cuSsiOn.
Incurred Democratic Op.
position.
Gives President Power to Estab-
lish Government.

Washington, February 25-rhe real
struggle for insular legislation at this
session began today in the Senate. The
army appropriation bill was under dis
cussion and the Philippine amendment
was reached. In addition the Cuban
amendment was offered and the general
debate on these propositions began
Sharp opposition to the Philippine
amendment developed on the Democratic
side beginning with point Of order
which the Senate overruled and followed
with speeches By Senators Tillman. Raw
Inns, Gallery, Bacon and Morgan The
amendment was defended by It's author,
Mr. Spooner, who pointed out the neoes-
sity for the lsgislation. Senators Vest,
Hoar, Rsonn and kawlins offered amend
ments tending to limit the powers con
ferred by the Spooner amendment. SEN
at or Morgan made an extended speech
severely oriticising the proposed legisIa-
tion. An evening session was held 20
allow time to continue the debate.
Washington, February 25.-At the
opening OF today's session the senate
agreed TO o conference upon the post
Offices appropriation BILL Senators VOL
colt, Chandler and Butler being named
as confsnsss on the part of the Senate.
The Senate agreed to a conference on
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill and Senators Hale, Cullom aud
Teller were name as conferees-
Mr.. Morgan offered a resolution de-
elsrinS that the Nicaragua canal bill was
entitled to he placed IN the order OF un-
finished business and under the rules Of
the Senate, Is entitled to the privileged
position. The resolution went over until
tomorrow.
A House hill amending this act provid-
ing for civil governsmnt for Porto Rioo
and to increase the salary of the commits
noner OF education OF the island was
called up by MIR. Foraker. Mr.. Foraker
presented an amendment providing that
all customs and internal taxes of the
island should be paid Into the treasury OF
Porto Rico and be expended for ths hene-
fit of the island, instead of being first
paid into the treasury OF the United
States. As the discussion seemed likely
to be protraoted, Mr.. Foraker withdrew
the contested amendment and the bill
was passed. Consideration was then re-
sumed of the army appropriation bill.
Mr.. Shoup, in charge of the bill, asked
that the Senate take O recess from 80
until p. NJ, today and ths request was
agreed to. Mr.. Platt of Connecticut re-
81 lafN
with Cuba ana amendment defining the
relations OF this government with the
proposed government or CUBA. 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on military
affairs.
Mr.. Pettus of Alabama presented a
written statement raising point of or
der against the committee amendment to
the bill comforting authority on the
President to provide civil government
for the Philippines.
Pending action Mr.. Money OF Missis
Gippi. presented the credentials of Hon. j.
A. MacLaurin, elected q Senator from
Mississippi for term of six years begin
ming March 4, 1901. The credentials were
fIed. When the rsading of the bill was
called up. The president. pro tenn, Mr..
Frye, submitted the point to the Senate.
The amendment was decided to be In or
der by a vote OF 35 to 90.
MIR. Spooner offered an amendment to
the amendment providing that until
a permanent government shall have been
esta blished In the Philippine archipelago
IA a.
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 conditions In the islands.
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Vest OF Missouri offered the follow
ing amendment to the Philippine propo-
sition:
'That no judgment order or act. by
any OF the said officials 80 appointed shall
conflict with the law and constitution of
the United States.''
MIR. Spooner thought this fact ought to
be recognized and especially by Demo-
tuition extended to the Philippine Islands
ex proprlo vigore.
Mr.. Vest replied that the doctrine that
the constitution was In force in the
Philippines was held BY such good Re.
pubIlcans as ex-senator Edmunds. ex-
President Harrison, Ex-Governor Bout
well and many others.
He did not know what the decision OF
ths supreme court upon this point would
be. but fs was rumored that the supreme