The Washington times., 1902-06-20
ACQUISITION Marked q
New Era, Says Mr..
Cooper.
SPEECH FAVORlNG MEASURE
Substitute to Be Offered by the Mi
nority-Provides fer Abandonment of
Archipelago-Mr. Jones Opposes the
Pending Bill.

The House yesterday settled down to
a weeks debate Oh the Philippine civil
government bill, and two speeches were
delivered during the afternoon. Repre-
resentative Cooper of Wisconsin, the
chairman of the Committee on Insular
Affairs. which reported the measure,
which is a substitute for the House bill,
inaugurated the discussion. He spoke
for more than three hours, and was
given close attention, especially by his
Republican colleagues, OF which there
was larger attendance than on any
day for more than a week. Mr.. Cooper
does not often address the House, but
this is not because of any inability on
his part to do so, for his speech yester-
day was masterful presentation of
the position of the Republican party in
its dealings with the Philippines, and
was delivered with eloquence. force, and
much earnestness. Mr.. Cooper not only
demonstrated his ability to present an
array of facts, but also showed himself
clever at sarcasm and ridicule, which he
directed toward the minority.
Republicans Arraigned.
Mr.. Jones (Dem., Va.), the ranking
Democratic member of the committee,
followed Mr. Cooper in opposition to the
bill. and severely arraigned the Repub-
lican party for its Philippine policy. He
spoke offhand and much of his speech
was devoted to answering the arguments
of Mr. Cooper. In opening, he took up
the statements of Buencamino. the Fill
pino, who was recently before the in
sular committee, and TO whose state
ments Mr.. Cooper had referred. Mr..
Jones held the Filipino's declarations up
10 ridicule, declared that he had re-
peatedly contradicted himself. and in
his efforts to say things which would be
pleasing to the Administration. In view
Of the fact that he holds $4,000 Gov
ernment position, had made statements
contradictory to the testimony of Gen
eral Otis, and contrary to well-known
| facts. Buencamino, he said, had worn
Spanish uniform, fighting his own
countrymen when Dewey sailed into Ma
nila Harbor; then he had gone over to
the Filipinos. and he was now an of
hceholder under the Philippine Commits
! sion. This renegade Filipino. Mr.
Jones said. was the only native of the
| Islands which either committee Of Con
gress had called to testify as to condi'
tlons in the islands.
Substitute Bill to Be offered.
Mr.. Jones will offer at the proper time
a substitute for the pending bill, bill
supported by his colleagues on the
committee, which provides in the pre-
amblc that the United States shall re-
linquish all claims Of sovereignty over
and title to the Philippine Islands wheI
the people shall be ready and able t'
maintain a stable government.
The attendance upon the speaking
demonstrates that the interest in the
subject has been pretty thoroughly ex
haustcd by the thorough consideration
given to it by the Senate. Mr.. Cooper
having the opening, was fortunate a.
: having as his audience the full member
ship Cf the House present in the Capito
at the time in anticipation of the open
ing and he held them by the develop
mcnt OF unsuspected powers OF oratory
hunor sarcasm and eloquencc. Befor,
the session ended, however. the hall wa
vell-nigh deserted. ana the order fo
an evening session had to be vacated
because no one wanted to speak. Mr.
Jones will resume his remarks in thu
morning.
A New Era.
IN opening. Mr.. Cooper said that th'
cession Of the Philippine Islands mark
ed the beginning of a new era in th'
history OF the United States, and. how
ever. it. may be considered, from an!
aspect, compelled the United States Il
take a commanding place among tn
powers OF the world. The possession o
these islands will prove OF inestimabl'