The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-30

the session ne could not consent TO put
aside the bill without debate or without
the fixing of "A reasonable time for vote.
lie was willing 90 make a. liberal an ar
rangement as possible for vote. lie
hoped to speak briefly on the measure him.
self. but he would not allow his desire 10
speak on the bin 20 interfere with a vote
TELLER DECLARES.
Mr.. Teller declared that so far as he was
concerned no time should be fixed for
vote until IL Was evident that a different
course was TO be pursued by the majority.
he said that unless he knew there was no
disposition on the part OF the majority TO
take Up the greater part Of the time after
a time for a vote had been fixed there
would be no unanimous consent for a vote.
He said it would not do for Republican
senators TO say that they would not debate
the pending bill. In almost a quarter Of a
century OF experience in the Senate ne
never had heard such an arraignment of
the policy OF an administration as had
been made by Mr. Rawlins, Of Utah. The
credit and honor Of the government were az
stake and senators on the Republican side
ought II they could 10 attempt 10 retute
or disavow the utterances made.
Discussing the alleged order OF General
Smith Mr.. Teller said he understood that
General Smith had tried 10 justify his or
der By what is known as the Tom Ewing
order" During the civil war by this order
the population of two counties in Missouri
was depOrted and the property destroyed
He was proceeding 10 characterize the
action OF the American army in the Philip
pines as most cruel and barbarous when he
was interrupted by Mr.. Sp0oner. of Wis
cOnsin, With the inquiry: Does the Sena-
tor not remember Fort Pillow?
What does the senator mean by his
reference TO Fort Pillow inquired MI
Carmack, Of Tennessee.
Il had in mind" replied Mr. Spooner,
what has been considered massacre Of
colOred troops there"
Mr.. Carmack insisted with some heat that
there was no massacre of troops or killins
Of prisoners at Fort Pillow.
Mr. Teller continuing his remarks
about General Smiths order when ne was
interrupted by Mr.. Fairbanks. Il do not
understand" said ne. that the govern
nent approves Of General Smith s alleged
order cOurt-maTtial 10 Try General
Smith was ordered as soon as the informa-
ton concerning the matter reached WASH
ington.'
Nj. Teller replied that according TO a
newspaper article he had read TO the Sen
ate the information had been in Washing
ton many months. but he knew nothing
about the matter himself.
WANTS a COMMISSION.
Mr.. Teller offered an amendment to the
bill. providing for a commission TO be APP
pointed by the President and TO consist
% not less than seven nor more than ff-
teen persons to proceed 10 the Philippines
and try TO secure a lasting peace between
the United States and the Filipinos. the
United States to pay the commissioners
salaries Of $4,000 a year and all expenses.
sIr- Teller said that II it be true that
General Smith issued the alleged order
he ought TO be dismissed from the service.
In the records OF all the great wars since
the middle ages, he declared you can
not find such a dsgraceful and wicked
order that issued by General smith,
Mr.. Lodge said nothing was known here
OF General Smiths order until il was plead
ed by Major Waller as defense for his
action in Samar. As soon as Waller had
pleaded that order as his defense the Pres
ident himself had decided that General
Smith be court-martialed. He said he did
not know whether the order of General
Smith was verbal or written.
Mr. Carmack. of Tennessee, insisted the
evidence indicated that orders of a very
extreme character issued in the Philippines
were being suppressed, not, he believed,
by the War Department. but by the milf
tdry authorities in the Philippines.
In calling attention to the report of the
secretary Of Batangas province that there
had been SO great a mortality in the prov.
600 TO about 10000. the mortality being
due to disease, Mr.. Tillman inquired wheth.
er the Philippine commission had investi-
When informed that il had not he ex.
claimed: well. how long are we going to
hold onto this bag OF cats? What benefit
Is II 10 the American people to pursue this
infamous polcy?"
As the running cOloquy continued Mr..
Culberson asked Mr. Lodge If he Endorsed
the order issued by General Bell No"
replied Mr.. Lodge 4 do not indorse cruel
methods OF warfare. General Smiths or
der is one which every American should re.
greet On the surface those orders seem to
me to be revolving
Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia, expressed the be,
lief that the disease and great mortality
among the natives of Batangas province