Barton County democrat., 1902-06-06
WORK OF CONGRESS.

In the senate on the 9th Senator Pat
terson (Co1) discussed the Philippine
bill, particularly its provisions regarding
the holding of lands. He declared that
1t was monstrous and never should be
enacted into law He urged that the
Filipinos be granted their independence.
He quoted newspaper stories of the al
legged tOrturing of native priests by
American troops in order to extort in
formation and he also referred to what
he considered the large proportion of
Filipinos killed in battle to those
wounded. in instance the proportion
being 20 killed and one wounded. These
startling figures he said, '.give room
for thought-for reflection. Are they not
the result of the kind of war urged by
Gen. Bell?' A fruitless effort was made
to get agreement on a time for a
vote on the bill 1.-The house passed the
Shattuc immigration bill The feature
of the day was lively debate the
question of prohibiting the sale of intox-
icating liquors at immigrant stations. 1t
was precipitated by amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Bowersock (Kan.) to pro-
hibit such sale, which was carried So to
Is. Mr. Lands Qnd) followed this VIC
tory with an amendment to prohibit the
sale of intoxicants in the capitol and it
prevailed by a still larger majority, 1O3
to 19. The bill brings together into
act all the scattered legislation hereto
fore enacted in regard to the fmmigra-
tion of aliens into the United States.
Just before the session closed a special
rule was presented make the Dill Tor
coming subsidiary silver continuing
order until disposed of.
An agreement was reached In the
ate on the 2Sth by which final vote
the pending Philippine government bill
and all amendments will be taken up on
June at four o'clock p. m. Senator
Burrows CMich.) explained the bill at
length and urged its enactment, MAIN
tanning that it would advance the inter-
ests and promote the prosperity of the
islands In his Judgment it would be a
mistake to accord to the Filipinos
self-government and independence. Such
a proceeding could result, he said, only
in disaster to the Inhabitants and posi-
bic anarchy in the islands. Senator Hoar
(MasS.) offered a substitute for the reso-
luton of Senator Wellington (Md.), dis
charging the senate committee on priv
ilegeS and elections from consideration
of the house joint resolution for the elec-
ton of senators by direct vote of the
people. 1t asks the committee to report
all about the resolution and the wisdom
of passing it,. The house debated the
bill to increase the subsidiary coinage
by coming the silver bullion in the treas
ury and to retain standard silver dol
lars the public necessities may require.
The debate drifted into general dis
cussion of the silver question. Mr.. New
lands (Nev) finally offered amend
ment to make subsidiary silver a legal
tender. Mr.. Cochran (Mo) supported
the Newiands amendment al the same
the members Of the majority that the
time would come in their defense of the
proposed legislation when they would be
as Jack rabbits before the hounds
Without action the amendment the
house at 4:50 adjourned.
Senator Lodge (Mass.), in charge of the
Philippine bill. offered in the senate on
the 29th several amendments to the meas
ure, the most important extending to
the Philippines the provision of the bill
of rights Of the constitution of the
United States, excepting only the right
to bear arms and the right to a trial by
jury. All of them were agreed to.
Senator Morgan (Ala.) delivered an ex-
tended speech in which he supported in
the main the bill presented by the
committee. He took sharply to task
those in and out of the senate who
had extolled Aguinaldo and asserted
that the Filipfnos were not fighting for
liberty, but simply the savage tools
of the Hong Kong junta. Senator Clay
lGa) opposed the pending measure. He
regarded the action of the United States
since the ratification of the treaty of
Paris a great mistake and urged that
this government ought to declare it's
purposes in the Philippines. He main
tanned that the bill ought not to be
passed, it would confer greater power
on the Philippine commission than ever
had been possessed by king potentate.
Late in the afternoon Senator Spooner
CWis.) began a speech in support of the
bill. He declared that never in the an
nails of time had army carried to a
people so much of ameliOratiOn, SO much
of upbuilding, so much of kindness and
tenderness, as the American army had
carried to the F'ilipinos by direction of
Mckinley. An adjournment was then
taken till the 31st....The house passed
the bill to increase the subsidiary silver
coinage. The democrats directed their
fight chiefly against the provision to
coin the standard silver dollars into sub
sidiary coin public necessities might
require. half dozen roll calls were
forced. The conference reports the
omnibus public building and fortifica-
tions appropriation bills were adopted
and the house adjourned until the I'd.
Ia