Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-01
Philippine Bill Discussed in
the Senate.
OPPOSED BY DEMOCRATS
ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF
CoNFEREES.
General Deficiency and Naval APP
preparation Bills Dis
posed Of.

| When the Senate convened today at IL
O'Clock for what appeared to be the clos
ing session of this term of the Fifty-sev-
enth Congress- there were no indications
of the exciting scenes of yesterday.
The scenes this afternoon when the close
of Congress was approaching were devoid
of special interest The galleries were but
partly filed. and Senator Patterson of Colo
RADIO consumed a large part of the time in
discussing the Philippine question In con-
nectiOn with the conference report on the
Philippine bill. Senators generally re-
manned about, hoping that as little time as
possible might be consumed in disposing of
the questions in dispute, that an ad-
journment might be taken Yesterday and
today it expected that a resolution
could be agreed upon for adjournment
at 3 o'clock but the delay that occurred
indicated early this afternoon that this
would not be possible. but that adjourn-
ment would probably take place somewhat
later.
During the morning both Senators Bailey
and Beveridge were on the floor of the
Senate. appearing as usual. and there was
nothing to indicate their encounter last
evening. Senator Spoener was in CONVEX
sati'n with MI. Bailey for some time and
later with Mr.. Beveridge Other senator's
talked to both the Texas and the Indiana
senators, there being a desire on the part
OF many to have them part a the close Of
the session on good terms and il is hoped
bE them mat before the present session is
C'hciuded there may be some sort of truce
HNed up by which the two senators will be
on better terms
Mr. Bailey Texas) entered the chamber
from the democratic cloak room soon after
the invocation had been pronounced and
took his seat on the democratic side He
was Joined by Mr.. Spooner and they chat
ted together for a few minutes Represen-
Texas Mr.
Bailey and had an extended talk with him.
Mr. Beveridge did not appear in the Sem
ate during the early part of the session.
After his chat with Mr.. BureSon Mr. Bal
ley left the chamber.
MI BeVerldge, who had been engaged in
his committee room, entered the chamber
about half an hour after the Senate con-
Vened- As he went TO his seat on the ex-
trene democratic side other senators Join
ed him ard shook him cordially by the
hand
Later he was Joined by Mr.. Hansbrough
N D.. who was present during the scene
with Mr. Bailey. and Mr.. Warren (WyoD,
VITO mad an extended chat with him. Mr.
btFetidSe then went over on the republic
can side and talked fol- some time with Mr.
Allison Uowa)
General Deficiency Bill.
Nj Hale CMeD presented the final report
OF the conferees on the general deficiency
Dill. and it was agreed to without debate.
This diSDoses of the bill
mi mi tee
on fhlhpplneS, called up the conference re-
port on the bill to provide a temporary civil
government for the Philippine Islands The
agreement of the Conferees. which already
mas been published, read in full
At the conclusion of the reading of the
report on the Philippine bill the House
amendments to a bill reserving certain
public lands and public buildings in Porto
Rico for public was laid before the
Senate On motion of Mr.. Foraker (Ohiol
me senate agreed to a conference. and
Messrs- Foraker, WetmOre Or. l. and
Cockrell (MOD We're named as conferees
Mr. Lodge then moved the adoption of
The conference report on the Philippine
Mr.. Culberson's Opposition.
Mr. Culberson CTex). one of the Senate
conferees. said he had declined to sign the
conference report because he could not con-
scientiousiy vote for the measure as agreed
upon or recommend its passage TO the SEN
ate He thought it would serve no good
his DOsition.
Mr. Culberson said the report of the Sec
retarV of War indicated that from May l.
1S:S. to April ~. 1902. the expenditures for
the army were $685.. 600 900 in round nuu
bers- while OF this sum only $4,000 OOO
were expended in the Philippines. This
statement Mr. CulbersOn questioned. and
inquired up an expenditure by the United
States of S222 436 400 on account of the
philippines. and even these figures he said
did not include some of the expenditures
made for the Philippines.
Mr.. Patterson's Criticisms.
Mr.. Patterson (Colorado) declared that
from every standpoint wherever the Senate
bill has been changed the bill as agreed
TO by the conference had been made worse
than it was passed by the Senate He
discussed at length the provisions of the
proposed measure, CritiCising the bill as
agreed upon by the conferees.
Adverting TO the provision for a legis-
lative assembly in the Philippines. he de-
clared ii would require at least four years
Tor the taking and publication of the CEN
suS. How long the President of the United
States would require to proclaim the result
OF the census and call for an election of
an assembly nobody now could tell He
said one might as we'll stand with lighted
torch in a powder magazine a to create a
popular assemblage in a subjugated coun-
try. Those who made the bill knew fun
well. he said. that with free speech in the
islands there would be turbulence and dis
order. which would have TO be restrained
by a large army.
Naval Bill Goes Through
While Mr.. Patterson was speaking Mr.
Hale interrupted to present the final con-
ference report the naval appropriation
bill The report was agreed TO without dis
cuSSiOn.
Mr.. Patterson discussed the investigation
made by the Philippine committee. He as
serted that the witnesses before the COM
mittee had consisted in the main of army
officers. and 1t must be understood that
their testimony would not give the country
the unbiased view that the people want
Latterly the investigation had dragged
along at snails pace, Notwithstanding
there was now and then list of witnesses
as long as d mans arm before the commit
tee As soon, he asserted, matters were
disclosed the reins Were drawn and with
the passage OF the bill the investigation
had practically concluded, Notwithstanding
the assurances of the chairman to the con-
traTy
MIR. Patterson also referred to Admiral
Deweys testimony concerning the agree
ment for the surrender of Manila before
the attack of August IL. 1888. He said this
understanding provided that no American
soldier should be killed. but that notwith-
standing this agreement Gen. Merritt per-
United the soldiers to make the assault
without any knowledge of the agreement
He asserted that this revelation calls for a.
court-martial or board OF inquiry The
lives Of American soldiers were too precious
to be sacrificed to serve the purposes of any
one. The blame should be placed where
Il belonged.
Mr D.aff. Il,