The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-29
Conference Report on River and
HarbOr Bill Accepted.
Net Early to Discuss Philippine
Government Bill.
AN AMENDMENT MADE
Extending "Biu of Rights to
the Filipinos
Except as to Bearing Arms and
Trial by Jury.

Washington, May 29-The senate con-
vened at Il O'Clock in order that addi-
tional time might be afforded for the
discussion of the Philippine bill. A joint
resolution was introduced and passed
j authorizing the secretary of war to de-
liver to the governor of New Jersey
some condemned bronze cannon not
weighing over 1900 pounds, as might be
necessary for the construction of an
equestrian statue of the late General
/ VIM. J. SewalI
The conference report on the river
1 and harbOr bill was presented and with
out comment agreed to.
Consideration was resumed of the
I Philippine government bill Mr. Lodge
| (AGass.) in charge of the measure, Of
fered two or three amendments of
minor character which were agreed to.
/ He then offered an amendment extend
ing TO the inhabitants the bill OF
rights" of the constitution of the United
| States except the right to bear arms
and the right of a. trial by jury. In an
sWer to an inquiry by Mr.. Pettus (Ala.)
Mr.. Lodge explained that, in the opinion
of the majority of the committee on the
/ Philippines, it would be unwise under
the present circumstances to extend
| those rights to the Filipinos. The
amendment was agreed TO.
Other amendments were adopted as
| follows:
Providing that nothing in the pending
Jill S4Ad1A DC UGlQ 10 dtI0lQ VI repeal Ll4S
act providing for revenue for the Phil
| ippineS; providing that a single homes
! stead entry shall not exceed 40 acres
! in extent: providing that the beneficial
1 use of shall be the basis the measure
and the limit of all rights to water in
| the islands and that the government is
/ authorized to make rules for the use of
the water supply, providing that If
bonds or any portion thereof shall be
| paid out of the funds Of the govern
| ment of said islands such municipality
/ shall reimburse said government for the
| sum thus paid and said government is
/ hereby empowered to collect said sum
| by the levyfng and collection of taxes
on such municipality.
Some other amendments were adopted
| but they were of verbal or minor char
| acter-
| Mr.. Morgan (Ala.) then addressed the
i senate on the bill. He cordially approx
ed the measure which he said was a de-
cided Improvement on the law now in
| the islands Certain changes which he
did not indicate, ought to be made in
the bill but in a general way it looked
| toward peace. He read an editorial from
| an Alabama newspaper which he adopt
| ed as his own sentiments. The editorial
| held that the United States had put its
hand to the plow in the Philippines and
! it could not turn back. The insurrec-
ton in the islands, Mr. Morgan said, was
broken and the duty was left to this
government to provide a just and equi-
| table government for the people. Di-
vision in the councils in this country
/ he believed, kept the bOlOmen and la
drones in the field. When that was set
| tied peace would be assured
If Aguinaldo had in fact, driven
Spanish dominion from the islands or
| had destroyed the power of the United
States to hold Manila under the peace
protocol he said, he had worked a mir
acle on the development OF national
| power that no man ever ATTEMPTED.
IF Spain was unable to cope with his
/ - he's said ftif follow thar
Aguinaldo could destroy by an edict the
military and naval forces Of the United
States.
7 excuse those who now see a fatal
policy in the cession of the islands to
| the United States continued Mr. Nor
gan. Il still excuse them for not trying
| to repeal that concession when we
know that the success of such an effort
| would throw the Filipino people ba *
| into the arms of Spain, whose tyrannies
have made her their unforgiving enc
my
ITO have crowned such a war. waged
! with such generous purpose. with such
| a result said he, would have dis
| mayed stronger hearts than those that
beat in the bosons, even of his Demo-
| cratic colleagues.
| There never had been, said Mr. Nor
gan, pretense of organized government
in the Philippine islands. It was un-
Just to criticise Dewey for refusing to
recognize Aguinaldo as president of the
/ Philippine government. Had he done
So said he. he would have given aid
and comfort to the declared enemies Of
| the United States
This was the legal attitude of Agui-
| naldo and every other Filipino because
Dewey had no power to change a decla-
ration of war by congress. Dewey,
he said. believed Aguinaldo was de-
/ voted to the success of American arms
and had no reason to feel that he was
| a self-seeking adventureT.
THE laudations of Aguinaldo's al
legged patriotism and heroisn," said Mr..
| Morgan, that have been poured out in
| his honor here, are as much out Of
place as if they had been uttered in
| honor of the fox in Aesop's fabIes'
| Aguinaldo, he said was only a con-
| venient instrument in the hands of con-
/ spirators. Had he died another agent
| would have been found for the Hong
| Kong junta. had not committed their
fortunes perpetually to him.
ssThe Filipinos are fighting for
| liberty" Mr.. Morgan continued, "but
simply as the savage tools of the Junta
/ at Hong Kong
IN THE HOUSE.
| Washington, May z9.-Some minor
| business was transacted by unanimous
| consent before the house today resumed
the consideration of the bill to increase
| the subsidiary coinage
A bill was passed for theimprovement
and care of Confederate Mound, Oak
wood cemetery, Chicago
Mr. Loud (Ca1) called attention to
the fact that there We're buried at CSl-
| federate Mound twelve union soldiers
and 4039 confederates and expressed
the opinion that the bill would be the
first step in the direction of national
care for the graves of the confederate
dead But he made no objection.
A bill was also passed to reduce the
selection of reserve banks to cities of
600 inhabitants COnsiderat ton of the
bill to increase the subsidiary silver
coinage was then resumed, the pend
frer ol1eSfiOn being on the NeW1ands