The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-20
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
PHILIPPINE CIVIL GOVERNMENT
BILL UNDER DISCUSSION.
Republican Position Stated by Mr..
Cooper, of Wisconsin-Virgin
Jones Spoke for Democrats.

WASHINGTON, June f9.-The opening
day of the weeks debate on the Philippine
government bill in the House was signal
lied by a remarkably strong and ex-
haustive speech by Mr. Cooper, OF Wiscon-
sin, chairman of the committee on insular
affairs. He spoke for almost three hours,
and was given close attention by both sides
of the House. Much of the speech was
general defense of the policy pursued by
the administration, and drew repeated ap-
plause from his side of the House. He
contended that the problem of the Philip
pines should not be a party question, that
both political parties brought on the war
with Spain, and the votes of members of
both parties ratified the treaty which made
the islands American territory. The most
telling portion of his speech was the par
allel he drew between the present attitude
of the opposition and the attitude of the
opposition during and Immediately succeed
ing the civil war.
The present policy in the Philippines. in
augurated by William Mckinley and pur-
sued by him, Mr.. Cooper said, has been
attacked by the opposition as cruel and
inhuman. He submitted that the verdict
of history would not write down the best
beloved of Presidents and most humane of
men as a despoiler of liberty and enemy
of mankind. Republican applause.] He
did not deny that instances of cruelty may
have occurred in the conduct of the war
in the Philippines. But" said he, earn
est as is the demand for justice and deep
as is the indignation, the people of the
United States who see the true portion of
things will not despair They know the
great work of civilization that has been
accomplished. Certain soldiers may have
brought disgrace upon themselves. but they
baH 6ichn d
ministra ton of William Mckinley, nor can
they bring dishonor upon the administra-
ton of his successor, who is striving TO do
his duty and who is nobly and gloriously
succeeding. GApplause.l Isolated instances
of cruelty cannot dim the reputation of
Merritt or Otis or Macarthur, nor blacken
the memory of Lawton or of any of the
other brave men who gave up their lives
for the cause of liberty in the Philippines.
IRenewed applause
Amid tremendous applause on the Repub-
lican side Mr.. Cooper contrasted the pres
ent denunciation of the administrations
policy and the platform declarations of
Democratic conventions with those of 1864.
Now, he said the Democrats spoke of
Roosevelt as the man on horseback"
then they described Lincoln as the EN-
peror at the other end of the avenue" and
firmly resolved that he was dangerous to
the liberties of his countrymen. In 1868
he said the Democracy had Imperialism in
its most violent and virulent forms. In
convention they arragned the radical
party for it's disregard of rights and the
unparalleled oppression and tyranny which
has marked its course" declared that the
pillars of government are rocking on their
base" and that if the Republicans elect
their President I'VE will meet as a subject
and conquered people amid the ruins of
liberty and scattered fragments of the Con-
stitution." Had anybody ever heard any
thing more terrible? In his opinion this
plank i'm the Democratic platform of 1868
turesque, masterful assininity. Applause
and laughter.] Did members realize that
ever since we had been cropping around the
ruins OF liberty and stumping our toes on
the scattered fragments OF the Consttu-
ton? Laughter Who was the man they
feared? The silent man of AppomattoX,
who, Oh the heights of Mount McGregor,
met the only cOnqueror he ever knew as
his great soul went forth to meet his God
[Great applause.l
Mr.. Cooper devoted considerable time to
explaining and arguing the wisdom of the
coinage feature of the House bill. Mr..
Cooper spoke about three hours. He was
enthusiastically .applauded when he con-
Guided. and a half hundred of his col
leagues crowded about to congratulate him.
Mr.. Jones. of Virginia. the ranking men,
Der of the minority of the committee. made
an able presentation of the Democratic po-
sition. but he Welded the floor after speak
ing about an hour. and will resume to-mor-
row morning. Those were the only speeches
made to-day. The order under which the
House is operating provides for no ses
sion until Wednesday for debate only. but.
one was prepared to speak tonight
the order for the session this evening was
vacated.
Early to-day the following bills were
passed: To authorize the Charleston Su-
burban & Somerville Bridge Company TO
construct two bridges across the Ashley
river South Carolina, TO authorize the ap-
pointment and retirement of James W
Long a captain of infantry; 10 declare
the Usage river above Benton and St Clair
counties. Missouri, TO be not a navigable
stream: TO fix the salaries of district sup
erintendents in the hfe-saving service al
M I'M hoe
exceeding $1,000 certain real estate at Will
mington, y. g. for revenue and customs
purposes, and 10 authorize the secretary
Of war 10 furnish condemned cannon for
an equestrian statue OF the late Gen Will
liam j. Sewell.
a number of conference reports were
adopted. The Senate amendments 10 the
uara conptrred IN