The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-23
Country Put Above Party by an Old
Soldier Who Once Won Congress
sionaI Medal for GalIantry.
DRAMATIC SCENE YESTERDAY
WHEN HE SHOOK HIS CLINCHED FIST
AT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
And Said He Hoped to Be Paralyzed
when He Refused to Vote to Pro-
tect an American Soldier.

old partisan fire was injected into the pro-
ceedings of the House to-day when the
item in the urgent deficiency bill appro-
priating 100000 for a military post at Ma
nila which the Democrats have been using
as text for speeches in opposition TO the
Philippine policy of the administration for
the last three days, was reached. Mr.. Can
non in charge of the bill, confessed that
the appropriation was subject to point of
order and 1t went out. In lieu thereof ne
offered an amendment to appropriate the
same sum for shelter and protection" or
the officers and enlisted men of the army
on duty in the Philippines. This the chair
held TO be in order, and it at once became
the subject of very spirited debate, In
which Mr.. Richardson, the minority lead
er, Mr.. Williams of Mississippi and Mr.
De Almond of Missouri were pitted against
the chairman of the appropriations COM
mittee. Partisan applause rang out on
each side to cheer on the respective cham
pions, and there seemed to be a solid line
up on each side OF the political aisle. But
when the vote came to be taken Mr.. Cum
mings, a New York Democrat, voted with
the Republicans, turning angrily on his po-
Htical brethren as he did so and, with
clinched fist in their faces, crying out that
he hoped he might be paralyzed when he
refused to vote to protect an American SOL
der. The vote on the adoption of the
amendment stood yeas 127, nays 100
Before the general debate closed Mr..
Watson, of Indiana, paid a beautiful trib-
ute to the late President Mckinley Mr.
Zenor. of Indiana. had proceeded him in a
speech on the bill. Mr.. Watson spoke for
ministratiOn's Philippine policy. He de-
nOunced the statement which, he said, was
made on the other side that the United
States had taken the place of Spain as
the despoiler of the Philippines. He pro-
dUced figures from the Spanish budget to
show that 80 per cent. of all the revenues
of the islands under the Spanish regime
was diverted TO the mother country. On
the other hand, he said every dollar raised
from taxation since the American occupa-
ton had gone into the insular treasury.
He then contrasted what we were doing in
the islands in the way of education, public
improvement etc, with what was done in
the old Spanish days. While he was speak
ing Mr.. Gaines attempted TO ask him a
question. oh This is too much" cried
Mr.. Watson, amid great laughter on the
Republican side. He declined TO yield. Then
he proceeded with his speech, as printed
elsewhere in the Journal.
The bill was read for amendment under
the fiVe-minute rule.
Mr.. Cochran (MissourD declared that the
attempts TO SuDJuSate the Filipino people
already had cost the United States more
than enough to build the Nicaragua canal
and to construct three hundred warships to
defend it, yet the end was not in sight
ACTION ON THE BILL.
When the appropriation of 100000 for a
military post at Manila was reached a half
dozen Democrats, including Mr. Richard
son, of Tennessee, were on their feet. but
the chair recognized Mr.. Hull, who raised
the point of order that it was new legisla-
ton. Mr.. Cannon urged Mr.. Hull to let
the other side make the point of order.
Il hope the gentleman will not lecture
his own side of the House." observed Mr.
Thereupon Mr. Cannon confessed the
point of order, and the appropriation was
ruled out.
In lieu of the provision Mr. Cannon Of
fered the following amendment: For the
proper shelter and protection of officers
and enlisted men of the United States army
on duty in the Philippines, to be expended
In the discretion of the President, $500 600. -
Mr.. Richardson Immediately raised the
same point of order against this, contend
ing that ii was in effect identical with the
cy appropriation. Mr.. Cannon argued that
the amendment was in order in that it was
necessary TO carry out existing law for the
maintenance of the army in the Philippines.
A sharp exchange followed between Mr..
Richardson and Mr.. Cannon, the former
seeking TO force an admission from the
appropriations
that the purpose of the appropriation was
to build the army post at Manila.
Does the gentleman know" interposed
Mr. Hay, of Virginia that the secretary
of war has submitted to the committee on
military affairs recommendations for ap-
preparations. amounting to s2OOO,OOO for
army posts in the Philippines"
THAT is for next year." answered Mr..
Cannon
Several other Democrats were drawn into
the discussion, including Mr.. Fitzgerald, OF
t,t&
scored were applauded on the Democratic
side. The discussion over the point of order
was drawn out for an hour. at the end of
which time Mr. Sherman of New York
who was in the chair overruled it and was
sustained by the House-l2 TO 10. Mr..
Fleming, of Georgia, voted with the Re-
publicans to sustain the chair.
Mr.. Padgett, Of Tennessee, then offered
as an amendment TO the amendment the
following: The government of the United
States hereby declares its policy and pur-
pose is to relinquish the sovereignty OF
the Philippine islands, acquired under the
treaty of Paris, and to restore the SOW
ereignty thereof TO the people of said
islands so soon as they shall make mani
fest their fitness and capacity for self
government"
II make three points of order against
that amendment" said Mr.. Cannon. first
that ii is not germane; second. that il
changes existing laws; third. that il is
idiotic." Applause and laughter on the
Republican sidel
THE chair sustains the first two points
Of order" announced the chair Laugh
teri
The vote then required upon Mr. Can
mons amendment. AS it was being taken
a dramatic incident occurred. The solid
Republican side arose in support of it, and
with the Republicans solitary Democrat
Mr.. Cummings, of New York, stood up.
Turning upon his acknowledgements and
shaking his fist in their faces, Mr. Cum
mings shouted: when refuse TO vote to
protect the life of an American soldier
hope 1 may be paralyzed." A round OF
Republican applause greeted this state
ment, while several Democrats cried: reg
ular order" The amendment was adopted
-127 to 100.
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