Evening journal., 1902-02-22
OPPOSITION TO THE
PHILIPPINE TARIFF
Bates Declares It Is Step
Toward Colonial Policy
Nc. SpGOnCr CharacterileS Mr.. Wei
lingtOR'S Criticism Of the ADJ
miniStratiOn as Unjust

washington, Feb. 22.-The senate
yesterday entered upon the considera-
ton of the Philippine tariff bill. Mr..
Bates, of Tennessee, spoke in opposi-
ton to the bill. He delivered an ex-
tended speech, In which he covered
pretty fully the general Philippine
question Few things had occurred in
the senate chamber, he said, more fate
full, or involving more delicate issues
and greater results than the ratifica-
ton Of the treaty of Paris. He as
serted that the payment of 100000
for the Philippine Islands was a COM
mercial, rather than sentimental
transaction, and was the first step
toward colonial policy, antagonistic
to the American form Of government
While he regarded the acquisition of
the Philippine Islands as hurtful to the
American system, as destitute Of bene
fit to the American people and as
wrongful to the Filipinos, the present
was not the time to continue that dis
cussion or to propose a remedy for the
evils that had sprung from the ratif-
cation of the Paris treaty. He de-
clared that it was only after the rati-
fcaton of that treaty that the ap-
prehension arose that the Republican
party had dit of more than it could
chew" Then it was that the new idea
had blossomed out that only congress
could extend the operation Of the con-
stitution beyond the states; and it was
held, in addition, that congress would
not extend the provisions of the con-
stitution to the people of the Philip
pines except with the string to it
which denied equality of administra-
ton, taxation and citizenship. How
many millions of dollars had been ex-
pended in the sensational programme
of exploitation was unknown to the
American people, but thus far there
had been no money return Of this war
for trade spoliation.
The present tariff bill, the Tennes-
see senator said, would become a law,
but it would not bridge the chasm that
separated a people struggling for indie
pendence and the Republican party,
bent upon conquest, exploitation and
commercialism."
II was not given to finite wisdom to
distinguish the form which retribution
for that trade at Paris would take;
but when the tariff bill had been passed
the Republican party might again be
heard to exclaim: "Erring sister, part
in peace, for there would be no more
money to be made out Of the Fllipinos
and they might then take their place
again among the nations Of the world
After Senator Bates had finished
Mr.. Spooner took the floor He char
acterized Mr.. Wellingtons criticism OF
the administration as unjust He read
from a speech Of Mr. Teller's some
years ago, in which the latter said the
flag should not be hauled down over
territory when once raised.
Mr.. Spooner's reference to the vote
of the senator from Maryland, Mr.
Wellington, brought from the latter q
repetition of the charge that the late
President Mckinley had betrayed him
my vote on the treaty cannot be re
called, as has been said," Mr.. Wei
lington responded, but I would give
ten years of my life If it could. I wan
to say that l make no accusation
against the dead that would no
make were he still the occupant o
the White House"
Mr.. Wellington denounced tn
growth of executive power, declaring
that there seemed nothing left II
legislation but the will Of the presi
dent. His frequent interruption
finally met with a refusal on the par
OF Mr.. Spooner to recognize him.
81 demand my right to vindication,
Mr.. Wellington shouted. 81 will TAX
up the matter later. can't be shut Of
in that way"
The house yesterday passed the II
dian appropriation BILL No amend
ments of importance were attached t
it. The latter part of the session wa
devoted to the consideration Of pr
yate claim bills. a number of whic
were passed. The house adjourne
until Monday