Evening journal., 1902-02-21
SBCTARIANINM IN
TARIFF DEBATE
Senator Patterson Talks Of
the Philippine Christians
SAYS Ii They We're PrOIeSIantS, Mem
berS Of Congress Would Fear
to Face Wrath

Washington, Feb. 21.-With the eX-
ception Of a few minutes given to rou-
tine business, the senate yesterday
devoted its entire session to the
Philippine question. Mr.. Patterson,
Of Colorado, one of the minority men,
bers of the Philippine commission, de-
livered his first extended speech in the
senate, and was given a most atten'
tive and careful hearing. He dis
cussed principally the sedition laws
enacted by the Philippine commission
vigorously attacking the authority Of
the commission to enact and enforce
such laws. He maintained that con-
gress alone had the power to put in
force enactments of that character.
He compared information furnished by
the executive departments Of the gov
eminent with some of the statements
of Governor Taft in his testimony be.
fore the Philippine committee. with
respect to the capabilities of the Phil
ippine people, and declared, with some
heat. his belief that Governor Taft
misrepresented the true situation in
the islands for motives unknown.
In conclusion, Mr.. Patterson re.
ferred to the fact that 100000 Of the
people of the islands were Christians.
But" said he, they are not Pro-
testant Christians. Senators may
smile" he continued, "but l have it
in my mind that if the 100000 OF
Filipino Christians had learned their
Christianity in the sanctuaries OF the
Methodist, Presbyterian or Baptist
churches, and were as well founded in
the cardinal principles of Christianity
as they are today, there would be
such an uprising of the Methodist
Presbyterian and Baptist denomina.
tions at the cruel, unconstitutional and
relentless treatment Of their people in
the Philippines that few members Of
the congress supporting that policy
would face their wrath. But the Fill.
pinos are not Protestant Christians"
Mr.. Nelson, of Minnesota, presented
legal and constitutional argument in
support of this governments action in
the Philippine archipelago, and sharp
ly criticised Mr.. Patterson for inject
ing into the controversy the question
of sectarianism.
Mr.. McCumber, of North Dakota,
urged that congress should not bind
the future now by a declaration Of a
definite policy regarding the Philip
pines, as it was desirable that all pos
sible information should be in hand
before permanent policy was deter
mined upon.
Indian Appropriation Bill In House.
The house spent yesterday working
on the Indian appropriation bill. Sew
eral amendments were adopted, but
none of much importance. The ap
preparation for preliminary work on
the reservoir for the ella river valley
went out on a point Of order. MT
Smith, of Arizona, offered an amend
ment to strike out the appropriation
for the Carlisle school, and it became
the text for a general onslaught on
the practice of educating Indians in
eastern schools. His amendment was
defeated Just before the close of the
session Mr.. Fitzgerald, Of New York
made an attack on the superintendent
of the school at Mount Pleasant, Mich.
who, he said, was charged with permit
ting the debauching Of Indian girls
Mr.. Sherman, chairman of the IndiaI
committee, promised to make an in
vestigation at the Indian Office.