The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-05-15
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.
Washington, May IL, 1909.

On Monday afternoon Senator
Lodge delivered his vic ely heralded
speech IN support of his Philippine
bill and a more brilliant array of cru
dite platitudes and pdnegyrlcs one
SELDOM hears. 1t bore every evil
dence of being the production OF the
cultured sophist. Assuming, what
was not the case, that the democrats
had attacked the American army, and
totally avoiding the democratic pro-
position that the cruelty and abuses
which had been proven to exist were
inseparable from a war of conquest
conducted by superior race, he in
dulged in glowing tribute to the
army. Referring to the crueltles and
tortures practiced, he cited similar
atrocities by the Filipinos supporting,
by implication, the theory that two
wrongs make a right. Democratic
charges, that the privileges and franch.
ises of the islands we're being farmed
out to the favored few as a result of
the policy of the administration, he
passed over with an eloquent testi-
monial to the character of the mem
bers of the Philippine Commission.
Reviewing Mr.. Lodges speech, out
side of the sympathetic atmosphere
created by the magnetism of the
speaker, one is led to deplore the fact
that SO able statesman should have
been guilty of employing his except
ional talents in an effort to create
partisan feeling by gross misrepre-
sentation of the real attitude OF his
opponents.
On Tuesday and Wednesday Sena-
tors Beverldge and McComas, taking
their cue from their leader, made
speeches alleged TO be in favor of
the Philippine bill but apparently with
the purpose of creating campaign ma
terial which would counteract the
presentation of the Philippine situa-
tion which has heretofore been made
by the democrats. Mr.. Lodge tells
me that he believes he will be able to
dispose OF his bill this month and it is
understood that Cuban reciprocity
will be the next subject considered by
the Senate. There is still a deter
mlnation by the Senate to take up the
question OF an isthman canal but it
is impossible to say at this date
whether the determination will be full.
filled. Several appropriation bills re-
main for senatorial action with the
prospects that they will carry the
session into the heated term and al
ready the members of the lower
chamber are talking of adjournment
X.
Three times within the past week
the House Of Representatives ha:
learned of the loss by death of one oI
its members. Hon. Amos J. Cum
mings of New York, Hon. Peter J.
Otey of Virginia and Hon. Joshua S
Salmon of New Jersey all passed ovel
within the short space of five days
Never before in the history of tht
House has death visited three mem
bers within so short a space of time
All three were democrats. As mari
of respect the House adjourned with
out the transaction of business or
Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, anC
only yesterday did the Omnibus terri
torial bill come up for action. All o
the territorial delegates have assured
me of their faith in the success of thi
measure in so far as the lower hous
is concerned and all have more o
less hope that it will pass the Senate
They have been indefatlgable in thel
efforts to promote the success of th'
measure and their hard work woul(
seem to deserve success.
*
There is reason to believe that tn
Naval appropriation bill, which will b
considered in the House, probabl
Immediately after the passage of tn
territorial bill, will precipitate prett
fight. The measure as reported cor
tains a provision that one or more {