Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-24
A BILL DENOUNCED.
Senator kawlips Criticisss Measure
for Government Of Philippines.
HOUSE NON. COyCURS IN CLAIMS BILL


Washington, April 23.-Formal dis
cussion Of the bill temporarily to
provide government for the Philip
pine islands was begun in the senate
yesterday, Senator Rawlins, Of Utah,
the leading minority member OF the
Philippine committee, opening the
debate. He denounced the bill as an
unwarranted imposition on the Fill
pinos, declaring that it would estab-
lish one of the foulest oligarchies
in the history of the world. He
maintained that the Philippine COM
mission was given too great power
by the bill and asserted that under
its provisions the islands would be
exploited for private gain. While he
was speaking two efforts were made
to maintain quorum, the second re-
sulting in lively tilt. among several
senators, Senator Scott, Of West
Virginia, intimating that argument
could not influence any senator.
Senator Hawley, chairman of the
senate committee on military affairs,
introduced a bill to increase the eff
cheney of the army The most i'm
portant section of the bill is the fol-
lowing: Subject to the command
of the president and general direc-
ton of the secretary Of war, the
lieutenant general shall exercise
command over the military forces Of
the United States, shall issue army
orders and direct inspections Of the
troops" The above provision is in
tended to give the commanding gen
eral legal status which at present
he has not, and is understood to be
in the interest of Gen. Miles.
The house yesterday, by vote OF
Is to ", rejected claims attached to
the omnibus claim bill by the senate
aggregating $l,s0O,OOO, and on the
heels of that action non-concurred
in the whole senate amendment (the
various items having been ruled to
constitute Il single amendmeht) and
sent the bill to conference.
Several private bills were passed
and the house resumed consideration
of the military academy appropria-
ton bill. Speaking to pro forma
amendment, Mr.. Feeley, of Illinois,
discussed briefly the question of the
violation Of the neutrality laws in
connection with the shipment Of
mules and horses to South Africa.
When the item relating to the i'm
provements at West Point was
reached, on motion of Mr.. Hull, in
charge of the bill, amendments were
adopted reducing the limit OF cost
of the improvements from $6,5OO,OOO
to $5,50o,OOO and the appropriation
carried by the bill from $3,0OO,OOO to
$2,OOO,OOO. The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Fletcher, of Minnesota, from
the committee on commerce, called
up the bill relating to the London
dock charges. Mr.. Grosvenor raised
the question of consideration, but
the house voted, 1875 to 81, to con-
slider the bill.
Mr.. Tawney explained that the bill
modified the Harter act so as to
make it unlawful for steamship man
ayers or owners to incorporate in
the contracts Of shippers liability
for dock charges. Mr.. Tawney said
that while the bill was general in
terms, it would apply to London,
where dock charge of four shillings
per ton was made when the cargo
was not landed within "a hours after
arrival. No action was taken on the
bill.
The speaker announced the ap-
pointment of Messrs. Mahon, Of
Pennsylvania; Gibson, of Tennessee,
and Sims, Of Tennessee, as conferees
on the omnibus claims bill. The SEN
ate amendments to the river and har-
Dor bill were disagreed to and tho
bill sent to conference, with Messrs.
Burton, of Ohio; Reevs, Of Illinois,
and Lester, Of Georgia, as conferees.