The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-05-23
FRIDAY, MAY %, 1902.
DEMOCRATIC "plscussioN."

FOfCe OF naDlC only can be RESPONSE
BILE for the use of the srId discus
sion" as applied to the consideration
of the Philippine government bill by
the senate. If anybody has been able
to discover any discussion" in the
proceedings of that body in which
the bill has been involved it remains
to be heard from. Discussion is gen.
orally accepted as meaning the eX-
animation of something by argument,
a debate, or at all events a disputa-
ton, and that it requires active partic-
ipation by one OF more persons on
either side to the dispute to consti-
tute a discussion is also an accepted
fact. f
Perusal of the Geographic reports
sent out from Washington daily fail
to show wherein the Philippine bill
is discussed in the meaning of the
term. 1t is true that the republican
members of the senate are making
speeches on the bill and advancing
arguments calculated to show why it's
adoption would be proper and good,
but nothing is apparent in those re-
ports showing wherein the democrats
are meeting those arguments. The
opposition they are m%anifesting is
not that of reasonable, intelligent
men, They do not pretend to offer
any suggestions tending to improve
the bill, neither are they Offering any
substitute or in any other manner
doing that which could be construed
as a willingness on their part to help
along a matter of such vital import
ance to the entire American nation.
Their entire line of argument so
far has been restricted to the heaping
of the most undersigned and malici-
GUS abuse upon the heads of the ad-
ministration and the party RESPONSE
bic for the introduction of the bill.
Instead of lending their assistance
in forming a piece of constructive leg
islation, they hold back and content
themselves with simply raising the
cry of %"inhumanity, brutality and
butchery." and pretend to hold the
republican party responsible for per-
sonal acts of soldiers and officers who
may have violated some of the laws
of civilized warfare. Because it has
been made to appear that in the pas
sion and cruelty ever engendered by
a war some of those wearing the gov
eminent uniform have been guilty Of
acts not tolerated by the laws of war,
they say the entire army is composed
of murderers, cutthroats and butch
ers and that it has the sympathy and
support of the administration. U.s.
ing this specious plea as an excuse
they are doing all in their power to
hinder legislation and hope to go be-
fore the country next fall with an els
sue" OF which to lay claims for popu-
lar support.
Disregardant of the fact that the
confessions of those most strenuous
in their obstruction is that the policy
of the party they represent in one por-
ton of the country is that of murder,
cruelty. coercion and deprivation of
rights they continue their arrangement
Of the republican party on the score
Of alleged cruelties in the Philippines.
Well do the older members of the par
tvs representation in congress know
that a continuation of the present
policy Of the obstructionists is bound
to result in injury to the party and
are making desperate efforts to call
OF the mouthers who persist in keep
ing up their TRADE of abuse and vii
LITIGATION. The sort of talk they are
indulging in daily is calculated to
make republican votes, for the Ameri-
can people resent nothing quicker
than malicious and gratuitous abuse
OF the army. They also resent the ef-
forts Of the democrats to haul down
the flag and allow the islands to lapse
into a state of anarchy or become the
prey of European nations. The@hon-
or of the nation is at stake. and it's
people will not permit anything in
tended to stain or sully the national
good name.
Our conduct in the islands and our
administration Of their affairs have
won the admiration of the civilized