The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-08
OLMSTED SUFFRAGE RESOLUTION
A Spirited Struggle In the House-The
Measure Finally Referred to the Gen.
sus Committee-The Southern Men,
bers Make a Vigorous Fight to Secure
This Some Exciting Scenes-A sharp
Tilt in the senate Overt the Philippine
Question.
SENATE.

army reorganization bill. The debate
took a wide range at times, but was
confined principally to the question of
the necessity for the increase in the
regular army provided for in the pend
ing measure. The Philippine question
was threshed over at great length, but
few really good points were advanced.
Speeches were made by Senator's Car
ter, of Montana; Teller. of Colorado;
Hoar, of Massachusetts,; Stewart, of
Nevada, and Caffery. of Louisiana
Senator Hoar advanced a PROPOSE
ton to create a commission to be COM
posed of all shades of political opinion,
to investigate the entire Philippine
question and report its findings to con-
gress, in order that a basis might be
formed for intelligent action.
Some slight progress was made to-
ward the completion of the pending
measure.
A resolution was adopted favoring
enactment of such laws and making of
such treaties as will e~ffectually pro-
hibit the sale of opium and intoxicat-
ing beverages by the signatory powers
to aboriginal tribes and uncivilized
races.
Senate Jones, of Arkansas. offered a
resolution directing the committee on
military affairs to inquire upon what
alleged facts the charges against Ma
jor HeiStand. of the United States
army, by Erastus j.. Hawkes. are based
and report to the senate.
Senator Jones said an army officer
had been removed because of some al
Inoal hnI conduct Tho PharOoc in6i-
Gated that the army officer who re-
manned in the service was as guilty as
he who was removed. If so he ought
to be removed. too.
The resolution finally was referred
to the committee on military affairs.
On demand of Senator Pettigrew the
committee report on The army bill was
read
Senator Carter asked unanimous con-
sent to pass upon the unobjected
amendments. but Senator P~ettigrew
objected.
Senator Wellington, of Maryland, de-
manded to know the of the
administration with reference to the
Philippines. If it was to force an an
nexation of the Philippines then a
large army would be necessary. Two
campaigns had been fought out, and
the situation was worse than ever.
senator Wellington was opposed to an
increase of the army if the govern
ment purposes to try TO deprive the
FilipinOs of self-government.
Senator Carter replied that the
president had no authority to decide
what shall be done with the Philip
pines. The moment the treaty of peace
was ratified, that moment it became
the supreme law of the land. If the
president had refused to maintain the
sovereignty of the United States there
he would have aid himself liable to
impeachment"
Senator Wellington contended that
the president had already abandoned
territory in Alaska over which we had
u~ndisputed sovereignty. He said that
if the president should be impeached if
he ~relinquished territory in the Philip
pines, he should likewise be impeached
for relinQuishing sovereignty in
Alaska.
Senator Wellington charged that he
nae been deceived into voting for. the
appropriation of $40. 0O0. 900 for the pur-
chase of the Philippines and concluded
with the assertion that the United
States did not have possession of the
islands and could not obtain possession
Of e with an army of any size.
Senator Garter declared it was the
intention OF the United States to main.
tain the laws in the Philippines, to re,
store order and to protect property
Beyond that point congress would de
termine What the ultimate disposition
u lIIS ISNdLiu "OuIu OS.
The senate then devoted an hour o.
more in perfecting the army bill BY
the adoption of committee amendment!
to which no objection was raised
The senate at 500 O'Clock D. m. wen
into executive session and at SO
O'Clock adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house today had another spirit
ed struggle over the Olmsted reSolu
tIQn f0 INVESTIGATE the ahri6QmPnt q
the suffrage in certain southern states
with a view to reapportionment upol
the actual basis of suffrage 1t wa
finally referred to the census committe
where the opposition desired 1t to g
originally. Some Of the republica
leaders were not in sympathy with tn
resolution and gave their support t
the reference, on condition that tina
would be the ina outcome. Mr.. Ohm
Sted tried to get Mr.. Hopkins to agre
that the committee would consider tn
resolution within a week. but tn
chairman of the census committee de
clined to make any pledge to that ei
feet, although he said the Commute
always did it's duty. The debate upo
the reSolutio was marked by exceed
ing Some of the souther
members avowed that the attempt
~enfranchiSe the negro had been Iamen
able failure and the action of certai
states in legally eliminating the blacl
as factors at the polls. they said, WI
in the interest of civilization ar
progress.
Mr.. McDermott, of New Jersey,
the course of his remarks. asserts
that every state in the union eith'
added to or subtracted from the col
Stitutional requirements of voters ar
challenged any member to show, to Il
contrary, one that did not.
After the resolution had been TIL
disposed of the reapportionment b
was taken up and debated by Mr.. HoI
kins, of Illinois. and Mr.. Shafroth,
Colorado.
An attempt to agree Dol a time I
the final vote on the bill failed, q
though the general impression is tn
the debate will conclude early ne
week.
Mr.. Burton, of Ohio, presented t
> river and harbor bill.
4Ae1aa. 4ho for a