The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1902-03-06
wILLTHEY INVESTIGATES?

Texas, the democratic minority IN th'
Senate scored signal victory last wees
and forced President pro tenn Frye tt
recede from the autocratic position
which he had assumed. Following
the personal encounter between Sena
tors Tillman and McLaurin which had
occurred last Saturday, and to which
only the un]ustifable action of Sena-
tor Frye leads me to refer, the Presi-
dent pro tenn caused to be erased from
the rolls of the Senate the names oil
the two senators from South Carolina.
For the reason named, when the Phil
ippine bill was passed on Monday after
noon neither senator was given an OPP
portunity to vote. Senator Bailey,
however, so ably presented the uncon-
| stitutionality of the action of the
Chair that their names we're restored
on the following day day and the re
publicans caused an immediate ad-
iournment of Tuesdays and Wednes-
days sessions because they feared to
act in the matter until the Committee
en- Privileges and Elections had re-
ported. Thursday the Senate met in
Joint session with the House to partici-
pate in the memorial services held for
President Mckinley and on Friday
the above committe reported, censur-
ing both senators for having violated
the dignity of the Senate and remov-
ing from them the stigma of contempt
which had been placed upon them by
the whole Senate in executive session.
There is further report due from
the above named committee. It has
been instructed to investigate the
charges of Senator Tillman that Mr..
McLaurin was b1ibed with the prom
Use Of the federal patronage OF the
state. to vote for the ratification OF the
treaty OF Paris. As is wellknown, the
Junior Senator from South Carolina
had made speech in the Senate de-
nouncing the treaty, and later, after
call at the White House, he voted for
Its ratification. He has since been
adopted by the republican caucus and
has dictated the federal appointments
in his state. The democratic senators
declare that the republicans dare not |
pursue the investigation of Mr.. Till.
mans charges and say that no further
report will be brought in.
On Friday the Senate passed the
permanent census bill. It was passed
by tie House on the same day and the
President will have now an opportuE-
ity OF demonstrating how sincere he is
IA his protestatlons OF regard for civil
service reform, as the bill is the sever
est blow to the reform and the aims of
the Commission which has been struck
by Congress in years. By its provis-
ions it gives precedent: In the line of
appointment, to about 1900 EMPLOYEES
If the census office who were appoint.
I'd by tie "spoils system" over a near
y equal number who have passed CIV
/ service examinations and are eliqih,e
% appointment as soon as vacancies
occur.
Senator Rawins of Utah, who is a
member OF the Philippines committee,
md has been in constant attendance
1t the hearings of that Committee
gave me yesterday some OF the impress
ions and views which he has formed
IN the Philippine question. "Tbe
,oilcy OF the administration" he said
AS is made evident by the investiga-
Ion and testimony before the com
nittee and the polio OF the republi-
'ans SO lar as they have announced If
s contrary, not only to democratic
principles but to every precedent In
he government of this country and
be only outcome must be, it these :
'lans are carried into execution. tie
ritual surrender Of the islands to
arge capitalists and the attendant en-
lavement OF the people. AS you know.
here is scheme now on foot t, mn
;hase the land held by the friars.
That is all right as far as it goes but
iow the Iaft Commission represents
hat 1t VIII be impractical to dlsnose
i these lands, as has been the custom
Win government lands in this country
the small owners and settlers. Groot
ap'taI, they say, is needed to deyelon
he Islands and accordine,g ,bov i
would sell or lease immense taacts 81
ana TO large corporations. r. will!