The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1902-02-14
PHILIPPINE MATTERS.
Proposed Legislation to Go
Through This Session.
MONEY SYSTEM MAY BE PROVIDED
PRECEDENT 40 select Practical Men to
Take Charge OF Western Forest
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In Revenue

cutter Servtce-Mr. Moody's Humor.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.-[Special.l l.
There has been some intimation lately
that there would be no attempt to pass
a general government bill for the Phil
ippine Islands, although measures are
pending in both houses for this pur-
pose. Because the committees have
taken their time in the matter of con-
sidering them the idea occurred TO
some one that the bills would not be
pressed. This might very well be true
IL 1t were not thought necessary by
those in charge of the Philippines to
repeal that part Of the Spooner amend
ment which prevents the granting of
franchises in the islands and disposing
of timber and public lands. That pro-
hibition was not a part of the SpOoner
amendment originally, but was offered
by Senator HOar and accepted because
some fear was expressed that the
whole provision would be lost and an
extra session of congress result. There
is determination to repeal this provi-
sion at this session besides providing
for financial system in the islands
and the purchase of the lands owned
by the friars. The managers are not
going to be content to simply pass a
tariff bill and do no more. l do not
expect that the hearings that have been
held will change the proposed legisla-
ton. 1t was known pretty well AT the
war department what was wanted be-
fore the bills We're introduced. and the
testimony before the committees will
not cause alterations to be made.
Wants Practical Men.
President Roosevelt has made Il
plain that he wants practical men to
care for the forest reservations of the
west. He prefers man who has lived
in the forests or i'm the west and has
learned from nature the lessons of
life to those young men Of college edu-
cation who have had no experience.
There seems TO be an element in con-
nection with the management of the
forests which thought that men of
high education were the kind best fit
ted for runners and "foresters," as
it is said they would have the theory
of forestry from reading and research.
TO this class Of men the western con-
gressmen objected. saying that their
theories, based on old world systems,
were not practicable in the great re-
serves. The president agreed with
them and has told the secretary Of the
interior that he wanted practical west
ern men selected where possible.
Revenue Cutter Service
The revenue cutter service bill has
been reported favorably in both house
and senate, and it may get conSidera-
ton some day. 1t gives the officers of
this service advanced rank and oppor-
tunity 10 retire. as army and navy Off
GERS do AS there has been no ,provi-
sion for their retirement heretofore, the
places of the highest rank, that of cap
tain, have been filled by men who for
the most part have long since passed
the age thet they can satisfactorily
perform The ,eXacting sea duties. and it
is the younger officers who are now
doing the major part of the duty and
who will take the command rank
which they have earned if the bill
passes.
"UncIe Joe" Owns Up.
1t was in one Of the running debates
of the house on a, claim bill which was
being opposed by Cannon of Illinois
that Loud Of California said:
"Now, the gentleman is getting old.
His time is too valuable And Can
non broke in with. We'll, l will say to
my friend that / am fOrty-seven years
DID," and the house laughed. for every
one knows that Uncle Joe" owns up
to sixty-six years. Gtaff of Illinois had
charge of the bill, and a little later this
colloquy occurred
Loud-This bill will be here until
men who are familiar with it are dead
and gone. and then it will pass. Go
CannenD And now is it worth the wear
and tear and the spending of your val
liable time?
CannoD-I sometimes think that
when my friend from California and
myself die wisdom will take its de-
parture; but, after all. do not know.
Graff-We hope the republic will
still live after you are gone.
Cannon-After all, with 357 people
here and 3S6 people soon to be here, I
apprehend that the gentlemen will per-
form their duty. and then my beautiful
and reliable friend and colleague from
the Peoria district in Illinois Mr..
Craft, for whom j have great respect,
Is mere youth, and he will be here
for fifty years. and | am willing to
trust him.
Mr.. Moodys Query.
There was distinct impression in
the house that many members support
ed the oleomargarine bill because they
knew that If they did not do so they
could not come back to congress. 1t.
was Moody, the brilliant representa-
tive from Massachusetts, who voiced
this sentiment during the debate when
he inquired whether it is not our duty
to our country to vote for this bill in
order that we shall preserve to our
respective constituencies the advan-
tages Of experienced and well trained
representatives Amid the laughter