Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-27

At the opening of the session Loud.
Cal. asked unanimous consent that the
bill to classify the rural free delivery
service be taken up, next Monday, and
be made a continuing order until dis
posed of. The order was made.
Tawney, Mimi, made a personal
statement to correct a statement he
made on the floor few days ago that
the Governor of Montana was not op-
posed to the Northwestern railroad
merger. He said the Governor of Mon
tana was doing all he could to aid the
Governor of Minnesota in his fight
against the movement.
Payne, N. Y, chairman of the ways
and means committee, asked unanimous
consent that the Senate amendments
to the Philippine tariff bill be dis
agreed to and that conference with
the Senate be requested. To this Rich
ardson, the minority leader, objected.
He demanded the regular order which
required the consideration of these
amendments in the House, making the
point of order also that the amendment
must first be considered in the commit
tee of the whole.
Payne cOntroverted the point of order.
but admitted that one of the amendments.
at least was subject to the point of or
der. But as Richardson disclaimed any
intention of desiring to use obstructive
tactics, and agreed that the debate should
proceed under the 5-minute rule, on
Paynes motion the House went into i'm
mediate committee of the whole and took
up the amendments seriatim. Payne
moved that the committee recommend
inconvenience in the first amendment t.
reduce the rates on goods coming into
the United States from the Philippines
to Is per cent. of the Dingley rates, while
Mcclellan (N.\Y) moved non-concurrence
to 25 per cent. of the Dingley rates.
Payne indicated willingness to con-
cede the 25 per cent reduction of the
Senate. but he urged Inconvenience in
order to- simplify the phraseology.
Mcclellan said he would be glad to see
free trade with the Philippines and his
amendment was designed to improve a
bad bill by adopting the tariff reductions
urged by Gov. Taft. McClellan's motion
was lost by 81 to 1O7.
Richardson moved concurrence with an
amendment to remove all duties on goods
coming into the United States from the
Philippines. On a rising vote the amend
ment prevailed, 60 to 81, but when tellers
were demanded the amendment was lost,
IS to 100
Kitchen IN. CO. proposed a broadening
of the clause exempting certain persons
from prosecution for treason by exempt
ing any person falling to give informal
ton against another. After debate the
amendment was lost. sc to H.
Richardson CTenn.) offered a proviso TO
the last Senate amendment that the
United States reinquish all claim to SOW
ereignty over the Philippine islands ana
that hereafter the archipelago shall be
considered as foreign territory; that all
trade between the United States and the
Philippines shall be free; that the Unit
ed States shall protect the islands and
their inhabitants while they are forming
a suitable government and that thereaf-
ter the United States shall withdraw from
control of the archipelago, retaining only
coaling and naval stations.
The amendment was declared to be out
Of order by the chairman at the instance
of Payne.
The measure was then reported to the
House. On motion of Payne the House
non-concurred in the Senate amendments
and asked for a conference, Payne IN.
W, Dalzell (Pa.) and Richardson (Tenn.)
being named as conferees.
Then at 2.05 o'clock. on motion of Payne
the House adjourned.