New-York tribune., 1901-02-26
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT.
STRUGGLE OVER INsCLAR LEGISLATION
BEGINS IN THE SENATE.
THE sPooNER AMENDMENT TO THE ARMY
APPROPRIATION BILL DISCUSSED AT
DAY AND NIGHT SESSIONS.

Fohilippine amendment was reached. In addi-
tion the cuba amendment was offered. Sharp
oppositioE to the Philippine amendment devel-
oped or the Democratic side, beginning with
a point Of order which the Senate overrued
fv a vote of 80 TO %. and followed with speeches
ry Senators Tillman, Rawlins. Caffery, Bacon
and Morgan. The amendment defended by
its author Mr.. Spooner who pointed out the
necessity for the legislation. Senators Vest.
IIoar. Bacon and Rawlins offered amendments
tending limit the powers conferred by the
Spooner amendment. Senator Morgan made
an extended speech severely criticising the pro-
posed legislation. An evening session was held
10 allow time TO continue the debate.
Mr. Spooner offered amendment to the
amendment providing that until a permanent
government shall have been established in the
Philippine Archipelago full reports shall be
made 10 Congress the first day of each reg
ular session of all legislative acts and proceed
ings OF the temporary government, and that
full information shall he supplied TO the Presi-
dent to the conditions in the islands The
amendment agreed TO.
Mr.. Vest offered the following amendment TO
the Philippine provision:
That. That no judgmsnt order or act by any Of said
and constitution of the United States.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION
amendment was necessary. He thought this
fact ought to be recognized. and especially by
Democrats. Many of them held that the con-
stitution extended TO the Philippines proprio
vigore.
Mr. Vest said the doctrine that the constitu-
tion in force in the Philippines was held
by such good Republicans ex-senator Ed
rnunds ex-President Harrison, Ex-Governor
Boutwell, and many others. He did not know
has. .lna Of he CRr ro1rrr
point would be. but it rumored that the
Supreme Court would not decide the question at
all to whether the constitution extends to the
islands Of its own force Every lawyer he said,
knew how the court could evade the question,
and IL had even been suggested that the court
might say that the government OF the island
possessions of this country entirely within
the military power OF the Government.
Mr. Tillman vigorously opposed the amend
ment. He declared il was a bold and naked
proposition to invest the President with plenary
power to govern the Philippine archipelago in
civil way. He declared that the enactment OF
the proposition into law. together with granting
certain requests of the Taft Commission to sell
public lands and lease mines. would open to the
people of the Philippines all the dangers OF
carpetbag government.
Mr.. Daniel made a constitutional argument
against the Philippine provision. Incidentally
supporting the amendment proposed by Mr.
Nest.
Mr.. caffery made argument against con-
6erring such power on the President con-
templated by the pending proposition.
Mr. Berry inquired whether the authority
conferred included power TO dispose OF public
lands in the islands. r-
Mr.. Caffery replied that undoubtedly It did
snclude such authority.
Mr. Hoar inquired whether it was not one OF
chi 81 of he q
provide for the sale Of the public lands before
the Filipino people had any opportunity TO have
a voice in the sale.
Precisely So" replied Mr.. Caffery. "and II
the Filipinos ever come into their own they will
discover that they have public lands. They
viii all have been alienated."
OPPOSED BY SENATOR HoAR
THE leading, bald proposal here is," said Mr..
iIoar. that the public lands and franchises Of
twelve millions Of people shall be sold by Ameri-
cans TO Americans. upon the whole the
best means of pacifcation. The best means OF
pacifying man." continued Mr.. Hoar sarcas-
tcally lis for one foreigner to take and sell his
property TO another foreigner. And this is the
method by which we are 10 teach the principles
OF liberty and self-governmenL"
Mr. Fairbanks read from the report OF the
Taft Commission to show the necessity for the
proposed authority: and added that unless me
authority WAS conferred there could be no de-
Veldpment of the resources of the islands.
Mr. Tillman interrupted TO say that no nYe
men composing any commission had right to
ask that they be allowed to deal arbitrarily with
ihe rights Of twelve million people, and Con-
gress had no right 10 grant the power
Mr. Fairbanks replied that If the recommenda-
tion OF the Taft Commission We're not granted
there would be no progress in the islands until
the establishment of a complete system Of civil
government and no man could tell when that
would be.
Mr. Rawlins made an extended argument
against the grant Of power unlimited and IL
iimita bic" He declared it would be of advan-
tage only 10 those who wished to advance their
personal interests in the Philippines. They
were he declared, "a band of public plunderers
and thieves"
Three amendments 10 the Philippine section
were offered follows:
BY Mr.. Bacon-That ali grants of franchises
rights and privileges or concessions Of public
conferred by this shall be reported the Con-
gress Of the United States which hereby reserves
The power TO annul modify the same. That all
laws enacted by any governmental authority
shall be reported TO the Congress OF the United
States which hereby reserves the power and u
thOrity. II deemed advisable. to annul the same.
BY Mr.. Hoar-That sale lease of public
property shall be made and franchise
which Is not approved by the President the
United States, and is not in his judgment clearly
ands and indispensable for the interest peo-
pie thereof. and which cannot without great pub
lie mischief be postponed until the establishment
Of permanent civil government.
BY MT Pettus-That every person in whom shall
be vested any power in or over the Philippine ISL
snds before exercising any such power shall take
sn oath 10 support the constitution OF the United
States
Mr.. Morgan denounced the action Of the Re-
publican majority in bringing into the Senate