The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-31
A STORM IN THE SENATE
A HURRICANE OF BITTER PERSONAL
ITIeS AND UGLY CHARGES.
PASSIONS REACH FEVER HEAT

and Lodge-Personal Encounter
Imminent-The Filipino and the
Southern Negro the Subjects o,
These Heated Discussions.
Washington. January ga Philip
pine storm was central in the senate
chamber today for nearly three hours,
but was void of definite results. At
times it looked very serious, and the
spectators. who thronged the galleries,
watched it with breathless interest.
Acrimony in senate debates is not
frequent. but old senators say It has
been years since there has been such
hurricane of bitter vituperation, Of per-
sonal taunt. Of ugly charges and of un-
modified criticism as was witnessed to-
day. Not since the discussion of the
resolutions leading UP to the Hispano-
American war have any such scenes
occurred in the senate. Even that de-
bate lacked the personal bitterness
manifested at times today.
Irritation was aroused on both sides
of the chamber and once or twice per-
sonal encounters between Senators
seemed imminent. Once when Senator
Teller taunted the republican senators
by declaring they knew the statements
made in a recent dispatch from Manila
in which General Wheaton was repre-
sented as criticising the opponents of
the governments policy in the Philip
pines were true. a half dozen republt-
cans were on their feet in an instant:
Senator Lodge, at whom the taunt
seemed to be aimed particularly, hur-
riedly crossed from his seat in the GEN.
ter of the republican side to the main
aisle of the senate, and white to the
lips. passionately challenged the state
ment Of the Colorado senator and de-
manded that he withdraw It.
Senator Teller so modified the state
ment that further hostilities at that
time were averted.
One of he sharpeSt colloQuieS of the
session was between Senators Spooner.
of Wisconsin, and Tillman, of South
Carolina. The race problem involving
the lynching of negroes was interjected
into the controversy and much feeling
was manifested. Senators in their ex-
citement seemed for the the moment to
have forgotten the subject Of debate.
ty to maintain order. When the discus
sion finally was ended for the day, the
chair felt called upon seriously to ad-
mOniSh senators that the rules of the
body had not been observed, and after
reading the rule which had been violat-
ed, he expressed the hope that in the
future senators would have a care to
observe it. Such an admonition has not
heen made by the presiding officer of
the senate in many years
Consideration of bill to establish de-
partment of commerce, was resumed,
pending amendment being that of Sen
ator Pettus providing that the depart
ment of labor should not be made a
part Of the proposed new departme
After a brief discussion the amend
ment was rejected-19 to 80.
Senator Bacon then offered an
amendment providing that the name OF
| the new department should be the de-
partment of commerce and labor.
Senator Nelson, in charge of the bill
agreed to the amendment and it was
adopted.
The bill was then passed without
further amendment.
The Philippine tariff bill was then
taken up and Senator Bacon presented
| a Joint resolution providing that the
law restricting to vessels of the United
States the transportation of passengers
1 and merchandise, directly or Indirectly
| from one port Of the United States tc
| another port of the United States shall
not be applicable to foreign vessels en-
| gaging in trade between the Philippine
| archipelago and the United States OIL
| between ports in the Philippine archi-
| pelago.
| Senator Bacon explained that this
1 resolution was an extract from the
| pending Philippine tariff bill and was
! introduced for the purpose Of relieving
| commerce of the difficulties presented
| under present conditions.
| Senator Lodge answered that he die
! not think the resolution would advance
matters at all by passing on it now a:
| other features of the bill were equally
| important. ..t-t
| In a brief discussion Of the PROPOSE
ton of Senator Bacon, Senator Spooner
| of Wisconsin, adverted to statement
made by the Georgia senator a few
days ago indicating that a formal order
had been issued by the secretary Of wal
practically suspendfng the navigation
laws in respect to the participation o.
foreign vessels In the trade between
the United States and the Philippines
| He said an investigation of the subjec
showed that no such order had been is
sued The fact was, he said. that 4
ship containing a cargo OF vegetable:
| ioi thC lioOPS III Lie lSldflUS udO O66I
permitted to clear from San Francisco
because it was most important tina
these supplies should go forward
/ promptly. II feel sure" he added
that the senator from Georgia woult
| have done the same thing had he beer
| secretary of the treasury"
Senator Bacon expressed his gratifi
cation that no general order suspendinf
the navigation laws had been issued.
Senator Lodge objected to the imme.
| date consideration Of the joint resolu,
ton offered by Senator Bacon and Il
| went over
After a rather breezy colloquy De-
tween Senator Spooner and Senato
Tillman. the latter asked Senate
Spooner to say explicitly whether tn
Philippine islands were a part OF th'
United States.
'T recommend" replied Senate
SDooner. that the senator read the de
cisions OF the supreme court"
T have read some Of those decisions
Senator Tillman said. ''but with fou
1pd4es on one side and four on the 9th