The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-26
Fight IN SENATE
BEGUN IN EARNEST
Government Of Philip
pines Subject of Debate.
SPOONER AMENDMENT
Much Opposition Developed Among
the Senators.
SENATOR DANIEL WAS HEARD.
He Cautioned Congress Against Hasty Action
in the Matter-The House Agreed to
Rejection Of Provisions for In
crease of the Navy---Re-
lations With Repub'
lie OF Cuba.
SENATOR DANIEL WAS HEARD
(By Associated Press.)


vAsu1N4TON. Feb. 25.-The real
struggle over insular affairs was peSuh
today in the Senate The army appro-
nriation bill was under consideration anu
the Philippine amendment was reac'ieo
In addition the Cuba amendment was VI
fered and the general debate on these
propositions began
sb,rn onnosition to the. Philippine
| amendment developed on the Democratic
| side, beginning with a point OF oroet
which the Senate overruled ana 1olioWea
with speeches by Senators Tillman, Raw
| Inns, Caffery, Bacon and Morgan. Inc
| amendment was defended by its author,
Mr.. Spooner, who pointed out the neces-
sitv for the legislation. Senator'S vest,
JIoar Racon and Rawlins offered amend
| ments tending to limit the powers con-
| ferred bv the SDooner amendment. Sem
! ator Morgan made an extended speech
( severely crticising the proposed leglsla-
| ton. An evening session was held TO al
| low time to continue the debate. confer
| ences were agreed to on the postof1ice ana
| the diplomatic and consular appropr1a-
ton bills.
A Senate bill creating the eastern di-
| District of Georgia WIS passed.
Mr. Morgan offered resolution declar-
| ing that the Nicara Sul- Canal bill was en-
| titled to be placed in the order OF unfin-
| ished business. The resolution went over
| until tomorrow.
FIGHT BEGINS.
| Then consideration Of the army appro-
| priation bill resumed. MIR. Platt,
| Connecticut, reported the Cuban amend
] ~, rn1o of
| ernment with the proposed government of
| Cuba 1t was referred to the Committee
| on Military Affairs.
| Mr. Pettus, of Alabama. presented
| written statement raising 4 point OF order
| against the committee amendment TO the
| bill comforting authority upon the Pfesl-
| dent to provide a civil government for the
| Philippines. 1t was decided to be IN or
| der by q vote of SO to 30
| Mr. Spooner offered an amendment to
] the amendment providing that untll Il
| permanent government shall have been
established, full reports be made to Con-
| gress the first day of each regular session
! Of all legislative acts and proceedings CT
| the temporary government and that 1uit
! information be supplied to the President
| as to the conditions in the islands, The
| amendment was agreed to.
! Mr. Vest. of Missouri, offered the fol-
! lowing amendment to the Philippine pro-
| vision:
| THAT no judgment order or act, by any
! of said officials, SO appointed, shall con-
| fict with the law and Constitution OF the
! United States.
| Mr. Spooner thought this unnecessary.
| Mr. ,riilman vigorously declared the
! Philippine amendment was a bold ana
! naked proposition to invest the President
with plenary power to govern the Philip
| pine archipelago in a civil way; yet, he
! s,,I Ia
| tuition of the United States being the
I Presidents guiding star. 1t was not pro-
! posed he asserted. that the President
| should be hampered even by the Consti-
| tuition.
] DANIEL SPEAKS.
I! Mr. Tillman declared that the enact
| ment OF the proposition into law together
| with granting of 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 carpet
| bag government.
: Mr.. Daniel made constitutional argu-
ment against the Philippine provision in
| the bill, incidentally supporting the amend
! ment proposed by Mr.. Vest. The author
! Of the proposition, he maintained. lost
sight OF the fact that Congress was the
| supreme judge OF the class of enactments
! to which the proposed provision belonged.
| 1t WAS proposed to confer upon the Presi-
! dent power vested o&y in Congress.
| Mr.. Daniel said he had no disposition to
| be critical or to find fault as to action with
respect to the Philippines. He recognized
/ the treaty of Paris TO be as binding upon
! him as it would have been hnd ne voted
| for its ratification. He was we'll aware
/ he said, OF the complicated condition of
| affairs in the Philippines. In his opinion, 1t
would be a mistake from all standpoints
/ CT sound legislation to do anything more
] than provide temporary arrangements,
| which later might be set aside and an
| nulled.
..rhe leading, bald proposal here is.
/ said Mr. Hoar. Of Massachusetts,, that
+; the public lands and franchises OF twelve
| million o.. people shalt be sold by Ameri-
cans to Americans As upon the whole the
/ best means of pacification.
MANY AMENDMENTS.
Amendments to the Philippine section of
/ the bill were offered. reserving to Con-
sress the right to aniiul or modify grants
/ or privileges conferred or laws enacted by
| any authority granted III this act
! Mr.. ff6ar offered an amendment pro-
| riding that 10 franchise be granted nor.
! any sale or lease OF public property be
! made which is not lndlspehsaoie 70 the
| government of the islands, and which
| cannot. without great public mischief.
| be postponed until the establishment Of
permanent civil government.
Mr.. Pettus' amendment provcides
| that every person in whom shall be
! vested any power In or over the Philip
pine Islands shall take an oath to sup
/ port the Constitution of the United
| States.
Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama. denounced the
action Of the Republican majority in
! bringing into the Senate at this time in
i the session propositions ofzso far-reaching
q character as those relating to the Phil