New-York tribune., 1902-05-29
VOTE IN SIGHT AT LAST.
ACTION ON PHILIPPINE BILL
NEXT TUESDAY.
CUBAN RECIPROCITY AND CANAL MEAS
URES TO FOLLOW-SESSION OF
CONGRESS NEARING AN END.
GBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUxE.l

CONGRESS NEARING AN END
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
Washington, May 2S-The debate on the Phil
iPpine Civil Government bill. protracted beyond
all legitimate rhyme or reason by a minority
grasping at straws Of any sort for political
capital. is at last to end. BY unanimous agree
ment this afternoon the Senate pledged itself to
take a vote the Passage of the bill on Tues
day, June 5. at o'clock. Tomorrow and Sat
urday viii he the last days of general debate
There viii be no session of the Senate on Fri
day. which is Memorial Day. and Monday and
Tuesday will he devoted TO the consideration
Of amendments under the fifteen minute rule
The passage of the bill in its present form is
Of course, foregone conclusion To-day's
agreement has been foreshadowed for several
days past, and there are signs abroad of gen
eTal weakening of the Democratic opposition's
policy of obstruction. The Cuban Reciprocity
and Isthmian Canal bills Will probably en-
counter little serious opposition after the Re-
publican steering committee announces its plans
for winding up the present session, and there Is
Frightening prospect of the final adjournment
Of the two houses within the next five or six
weeks
THE INQUIRY TO CONTINUE
When consideration Of the Philippine bill was
resumed to-day. Mr.. Lodge asked that a time
be fixed for vote
Mr.. Culberson inquired if Mr. Lodge could
give any idea of the scope of the inquiry now
being made by the Philippine Committee and
when the inquiry would be closed
Mr. Lodge said he thought the inquiry would
continue as long as the session lasted.
Unaffected by the disposition of the pending
bill?' inquired Mr. Culberson.
Entirely unaffected by the disposition of the
bill" replied Mr.. Lodge.
Some discussion followed as to the time of
taking the final vote In response 10 inquiries
by Mr. Hoar as to amendments Mr. Lodge said
that. far he knew. no general changes in
the features policy of the measure were in
tended by the committee.
1t then agreed that the Senate should
meet at II a. m, on Thursday Saturday Mon
day and Tuesday next that the debate
Monday and Tuesday should be limited to fif-
teen minute speeches, and that the final vote
the bill and amendments should be taken at +
o'clock next Tuesday.
SENATOR HOAR CORRECTED.
Mr.. Hoar presented letter from General
N. p. Miller. correcting what he said was an
error in the recent speech of Mr.. Hoar. who
had said that General Miller notoriously did
want an attack. and Aguinaldo met it with
speedy defiance" The reference was to the is
suance by general Miller of President McKin
ley's proclamation, part Of which was sup
pressed by General Otis. In his letter. General
Miller said Mr.. Hosr was in error. General Otis
had ret Informed him that the Presidents proc
lanauon was not to he issued in full He was
rot anxious for fight and always had advised
the Filipinos To accept the sovereignty Of the
United States. as he believed the United States
would grant their reasonable desires.
Mr. Hoar said the letter evidently was that
of sincere and honest gentleman. He abso-
lutely acquitted General Miller OF publishing
the proclamation in order to bring on hostilities
Mr.. Lodge then offered some amendments all
teinE Of minor character except those reducing
the amount Of land 70 be taken up by one per-
son from 100 acres 10 forty acres. The amend
rnents were agreed 20. Mr.. Lodge said the
Philippine Committee had not determined yet
what change. if any. should be made in the
thousand acres OF land He thought some
change might be made. but what il would be
he could not say.
Mr.. BURROWS DEFENDS THE BILL.
Mr. Burrows then addressed the Senate
the general features OF the pending bill He
said he believed the time had come when the
future course of this government as 10 the ISL
ands must he determined. If the present course
was to be followed he thought that fact could
NOT be too clearly pointed out. He believed the
enactment of the measure of the majority would
promote the interests of the Filipinos and ad-
vance the prosperity of the islands
Mr.. Burrows said he did not believe that the
Fiipinos fitted for self government. II
he thought they he would unhesitatingly
urge that independence be granted to them.
He believed, therefore that for the United States
surrender its sovereignty over the Islands
would result disastrously 10 the Filipinos them
selves, and perhaps IL the ruin of the islands.
Mr.. Burrows, in conclusion, maintained that
the adoption of the majority report on this
bill the only safe and honorable course for
the United States to take. Eventually, ne De
lieved. the hope OF the dead President Mckinley
would be realized and the Filipinos would look
back with rejoicing the day when the Ameri-
cans landed in the islands.