Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-27
57TH CONGRESS-.
House Passes Philippine Civil
Government Bill.
The Vote: Yes, 141; No, 81; Present
and Not Voting, a.
Senate Passes Isthnnian Canal and
General Deficiency Bills.

Washington, June 26.-At s O'Clock
tonight, at the end of a 9-hour session
and of a debate lasting might and day
for a week, the House passed the
| Philippine civil government bill, prac-
| tically as il came from the committee.
| 1t was a party vote, 141-97, with the
| exception of Mccall of Massachusetts,
who voted with the Democrats. The
minority substitute for the establish
ment of a temporary government in the
islands and their permanent independ-
ence as soon as a stable government
could be established was defeated, 50
to 1876.
The debate during the day was at
| times of lively character. The Demo-
| Gratis offered a multitude of amend
ments but all were voted down, in
| Guiding one offered by Patterson of
Tennessee, to prohibit slavery or invol-
untary servitude in the islands.
| The greatest interest attaches to an
| amendment offered by Mccall, Rep,
Mass, to the end of the bill to declare
| the policy of the United States TO de-
velop the capacity Of the Filipinos for
government ard pledging the faith
of the United States to grant them self
government. He supported the amend
ment in an eloquent speech and the
Democrats challenged their political
adversaries to declare their future
policy.
Grosvenor. Ohio, and Cooper Wis,
said it would be unwise to mortgage
the future by making such a declara-
ton now and the latter quoted Gov.
Taft as saying that such a promise
now would tend to prevent the pacifi-
cation of the islands. The amendment
was lost. 80 to 12S 1t was strict
party vote, except for Mccall and Lit
tleneld, Me, who voted with the Demo-
Gratis for the amendment.
Before the consideration of the
Philippine bill was resumed, today, the
House by vote of 252 to adopted the
conference report on the isthmian canal
BILL thus accepting in toto the Senate
bill The bill now goes to the Presi-
dent.
The substitute for the Senate Philip
pine civil government bill differs from
the bill as it passed the Senate in many
minor particulars.
The House substitute provides for
complete system of civil government
with a Legislature to consist of two
Houses. one Of which shall be a popu-
lar assembly elected by the Filipino
people. The Senate bill contained no
such provision. The Legislature is to
be chosen after the existing insurrec-
ton in the Philippines shall have
ceased and complete peace shall have
been established therein and the fact
certified to the President by the Philip
nine commission" The House SubSti-
tute also amplifies "the bill of rights
enumerated in the Senate measure and
adds to the number of issues which
can be appealed to the supreme court
of the United States.
The House measure also defines with
greater detail than the Senate the
rights of citizenship of those residing
in the islands, and provides that all
residents shall receive the same protec-
ton from the United States in respect
to their relation with foreign govern
ments as is accorded to citizens of the
United States.
One of the most important differences
between the Senate and House bills Is
that relating to coinage. The Senate
provided a silver standard somewhat
in extension and perfection of that now
in existence. The House measure pro-
vides gold standard system with the
gold dollar of the United States as the
standard unit Of value for the islands.
The main coin is to be the peso. made
in silver.bu of gold value, and this
is to be divided into subsidiary pieces
of money bearing devices emblematic
of American sovereignty. Provision
also is made for a system of paper cur
rercy. banks and for complete finan- |
cial system.
In dealing with the grant of fran
chises, the House bill places many more
restrictions on such grants than the
Senate bill.
These bills provide for acquiring the
friar lands and for the issue of bonds !
sufficient to pay for these lands. the
Senate provision making the interest
at Az per cent. and the House 8 per |
cent. Both measures contain extended
provisions relative to timber lands, har-
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