The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-02-19
pRlLIPPINE TARIFF IN SENATE.
Maryland Republican Scores Ad-
ministration''s: Treatment
of Schley.

Washington, Feb. 1S.-lt was agreed
by the senate today that q. final vote
upon the Philippine tariff bill and the
pending amendments should be taken
up next Monday afternoon at o'clock.
The agreement was reached. a few.
minutes after the senate convened to-
day. The only stipulation made by; the
minority was that Eve days should be
devoted to speeches not exceeding Is
minutes. Two speeches were deliv-
Eered today, one by Senator Wellington
of Maryland, in opposition to the
pending bill and the other by Senator
Stewart Of Nevada in support of the
measure. Mr.. Wellington's address
covered the Philippine question gen
orally and he set forth his we'll known
views forcefully.
Mr.. Stewart spoke biefy making a
legal and constitutional argument in
support of the authority of congress to
hold the Philippines and to provide
proper government for their inhabit-
ants.
Mr.. Wellington stated his points of
disagreement with the party with
which he had been identified through
out bis life. He said he had been a
Republican, a protectionist and a
believer in gold standard of cur
rency. However, he said. the Span
ish war brought the parting of the
ways. He was opposed to that war.
and believed that Cuban independence
could have been brought about by
diplomatic negotiations. Then came
the 'imperialistic tendencies of the
Republican party and with them be
could not agree.
Without the Spanish war, he said,
Cuba might have been free, might
have enjoyed indeed larger measure
of freedom and independence than she
was enjoying now or would enjoy in
the future. The only thing Cuba had
been taught was how postal official
could ,embezzle half million dollars.
Referring to the bill under discus
son, Nj Wellington declared his op-
position to it on the broad ground of
the minority" that there was no right
to enact such legislation.
Mr.. Wellington referred to the bat
tie of Santi ago where the American
squadron, he said, was under the
command of Rear Admiral Sampson,
but was led by the Maryland hero,
Admiral Scbley." (Applause in one
of the galleries.
'sFrom that moment" he continued,
.the end was won. Admiral Schley
commanded the vessels of the Ameri-
can squadron in that engagement. He
stood in the midst of that battle and
won out as no battle ever was won
before. But the administration has
been as unjust to him as it has been
to the Cubans and Filipinos. He has
not received that need of praise and
credit that belongs to him but an effort
mas been made to besmirch him and
to detract from his character and from
his truth and bravery -
Mr. Wellington referred incidental
ly to his conference with the late
President Mckinley concerning the
ratification of the treaty of Paris. Fe
went ever the whole situation with
the president, he said and made plain
to him that he Wellington never
would consent to vote for any PROPOSE
tion which contemplated the perma-
nent occupation of the Philippine ISL
ands by the United States
He maintained that orr victories in
the Spanish war had induced rever-
sal OF the policy of more than 100
years. lie accused the administra-
tion of having no definite Philippine
police, and adverted biefy to the Boer
cause to which, ne said, we would
have extended our sympathy had our
own skirts been clear.
The cadet battalion of the Sumter
Military Academy will give dress
parade and drill this afternoon
at O'Clock.