Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-05-02
WASHINGTON LETTER,

tfTOm OuI EekulhI COET6SpOuU6uL.J
Washington, April 28.-The past
week in the Senate has been charac-
terized by ascathing Augment of the
republican policy in the Philippine Is
lands. During the major portion of
three sessions Senator Rawlins, of
Utah, delivered a speech which set
forth the aims and Intentions of the
administration and pointed out how
the franchises and special concessions
of the islands were to be farmed out to
administration taYOrites at the expense
Of the Filipino people. On Friday and
Saturday Senator Carmack delivered a
brilliant address especially noteworthy
for its demonstration of the inconsis-
tency OF the President in condemning
those who have defended the rights of
the Filipn0s and its denunciation Of
Brig. General Funston, whom he de-
scribed as the ''most valiant captain
that ever marshalled q dictionary to
battle array, the mightiest Samson
that ever welded the jawbone of an
ass as a weapon of war" The un-
qualified condemnation and the accom-
panying bitter sarcasm of the Tennes-
see Senator produced their effect on
his opponents and there are prospects
that Senator Lodges edict. "Let the
democrats do all the talking" will be
defied and that those senators who will
soon be compelled to 60 before their
constituents for re- election will insist
on making some reply to the charges
which have been made against their
spirit of justice and Americanism.
In almost entire support of the DEM
ocratic position, has been the testi-
mOny recently taken before the Philip
pines committee, and finally the news
has come from Manila that General
Jacob II. Smith has admitted to the
COurt-Martial, before which be is be-
ing tried, that he gave orders to Ma
jor Waller to kill and burn and make
Samar bowling wilderness and that
he especially ordered the killing of all
F1llp1nos over ten years Of age. AS if
to substantiate democratic claims that
the islands have been the scene of I'M
told Outrages, and that the policy of
the administration has been to sup
press the facts, continually augment.
ed evidence has been presented of the
use OF the water curen and other
forms OF torture and oppression, in abb
Olute violation of all the tenets of a
civilized and enlightened nation.
"Tariff reform will be one of the
leading issues of the next, especially of
the next presidential campaign, essaid
Senator Money, of Mississippi, yester-
day, when asked him of the prospects
OF Cuban reciprocity in the Senate.
The republican party" Continued the
Senator, dare not reduce the tariff
which it has built up. Great mOneyed
interests protest at any reduction be-
cause such reduction curtails their
profits and these interests are stronger
than the party. The removal of the
differential on refined sugar was step
In the right direction. The profits of
the Sugar Trust would have been re.
1uced to the material benefit of the
people but the bill was not amended in
the House with the expectation that
lt would pass, but rather with the be- |
lief that the amendment would kill il
and there is no chance for the bill, as |
In the Senate. Notwith.
the fact that many of the
Dfngley rates we're made purposelv
high with view to providing margin
or the negotiation of reciprocity
;reaties, no treaties are confirmed by
he dominant party, no reduction of
ar1H rates is made and the people ma.
'urally turn to the democratic party
or relief and they will get it,
Opinion in the Senate is still greatly
divided as to the outcome of the Cuban
bill. 1t is now certain that
straight reciprocity bill will be re-
'orted and, as far as can learn. the
democrats will try to amend it as was
lOne in the House. That they will be
uccessful is possible as they are likely
o have the support of the Beet Sugar
enators and if theysdo so it will prob
bly, kill the bill on its final passage.
he present indications are that the
epublican senators will be satisfied if
hey can secure the passage of a straight
i'll in the Senate and will permit it to
lie in conference with little regret.
The republicans will shed few tears
YER the death Of the bill in confer
ice. was the reply of a democratic
,nator who is in position to know,
hsn l questioned him on the suject
aturday. Il