Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-01
57TH CONGRESS-.
Speech on the Philippine Tariff
Bill by Morgan.
With His Amendment It Would Stanc
Every Legal Test.
Order from President On Increacc in
Officials Salaries.

Washington. Jan. 31-An extended
speech on the pending Philippine tar
if bill was delivered in the Senate,
today, by Morgan of Alabama, who de-
voted particular attention to an amend
ment he offered to the bill, last week.
He maintained that the enactment of
the bill as it stands now would not be
q constitutional remedy for the situa-
ton the measure is designed to relieve.
but, he said, with The adoption OF his
amendment the bill would stand the
closest scrutiny of the courts. The
Alabama senator did not discuss the
political phases of the Philippine ques-
ton, devoting his entire speech TO q
consideration of the legal and constitu-
tional questions raised by the presen-
tation of the tariff measure.
An hour and Il half was devoted to
consideration of bill to increase the
salaries of judges of United States
courts, but no action was taken.
When the Senate met it adopted a
resolution offered a few days ago by
Rawlins. Utah, providing for general
inquiry by the committee on Indian af-
fairs into the matter Of leasing mineral
lands by Indians, into the authority OF
the Inferior department to approve
such leases and into the subject OF the
connection of government officials with
the making of such leases.
A. tle conclusion of routine business,
the resolution offered. yesterday, by
Rawlins, directing the secretary Of war
to inform the Senate whether what is
known as the "sedition laws have
,l.r f1l t1.o It'll;
commission. and if SO, the date of such.
promulgation. was passed without COM
ment.
The Senate then decided, on motion
OF Hala that when it adjourn. today. it
be until Monday next.
The bill recently reported from the
judiciary committee fixing the salaries
of certain United States judges. was
taken up for consideration at the in
stance of Hoar. chairman of the COM
mittee. Without action the judicial
salary bin went over and at o'clock.
Morgan. Ala, addressed the Senate on
the Philippine tariff bill
He said lie had not heard as yet any
objection to the tariff that is proposed
to be laid and took it for granted that
the tariff was just and necessary. He
argued that Congress had no constitu-
tiOnal authority to levy a discriminate
ing tariff either upon imports or ex-
ports between the United States and
the Philippines.
II believe in the doctrine of free
trade in all parts of the United States
whether covered by the constitution,
the flag. or BOTH" he said, and con-
tended that an export duty is plainly
forbidden even though. in the case of
the Philippines, the duty was levied here
Speaking Of the claims which had
teen made that there was no lawful
government in the Philippines. Morgan
said there is government there, and
he was glad to say, a very good gov
eminent, suitable to the character of
those people and the circumstances in
which we found them
It would advance the estimate of the
Filipinos for the United States if they
could have a delegate in Congress, as
in the case of Hawaii. said Morgan.
Referring to the work of the Philip
pine commission, he paid a tribute to
the late President Mckinley. who. he
said. was the happiest man in the
world in making selections Of men for
i'oi'ohsiciS poSltlOIS, W no always cOulU
be relied on to do the right thing at the
right time ana in the right way
Morgan pleaded for a government in
The Philippines which could be prepared
10 meet emergencies in accordance with
the laws OF the United States, because.
he said. there may be a time when the
Philippines are cut off from cable COM
munication with this country. He urged
the establishment of an executive de-
partment for the control Of the islands.
In concluding, Morgan said that he
had purposely refrained from referring
10 any political phase of this question.
He urged the adoption of his amend
ment. but" he said. eff the bin stands
as ii is and will break the uniformity
of taxation in the Philippines. / shall
feel that the constitution has been vio-
lated
After a brief executive session. the
Senate at 4.25 p NJ. adjourned until