Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-03-20
A LIVELY DEBATE.
Senators Consider Bill for Protec-
tien Of the President.
tilt BE1WREI BACON AID MASON.


Washington, March 19.-For three
hours yesterday the senate had un-
der consideration the bill providing
for the protection Of the president
OF the United States and for the pun
ishment by United States courts Of
those who commit assaults on him.
Senator Bacon, Of Georgia, opposed
the bill and Senator Hoar, of Massa-
chusetts, and Senator Mason, of ILL
nois, supported it. Senator Bacon's
argument followed the lines Of his
speech delivered ten days ago. Sem
ator Hoar's speech was largely lie.
gal and constitutional. He main
tanned the right Of the government
to protect itself against assaults up
on its sovereignty through the presi-
dent. Senator Mason made an at
tack upon anarchy and its methods
and, incidentally, sharply criticised
an amendment to the bill offered by
Senator Bacon. He denounced it as
opening the door to special pleading
for the benefit of assassins of the
president. This drew Senator Ba-
cons fire. He considered Senator
Mason's criticism personal reAec-
ton OH himself and resented 1t with
heat. An explanation by the Illinois
senator cleared the atmosphere.
Earlier in the day lively debate was
precipitated by the effort of Sena-
tor Rawlins, of Utah. to have printed
as q document some Philippine cor
respondence. Eventually the matter
was ordered printed as requested.
Thirty-nine private pension bills
were passed and the calendar cleared.
Senator Mcmillan introduced a bill
providing that all paper currency Of
the United States except bank notes
shall be OF the form known as post
checks. The purpose of the bill is to
secure a safer currency for sending
through the mails.
The general debate on the river and
harbor appropriation bill in the
house was enlivened yesterday by Mr..
Hepburn, of Iowa, who made his an
nual onslaught on the measure. Con-
trary to his usual custom. Mr.. Hep
burn found several things in the bill |
to commend, although some of his
were quite severe. The
other speakers were Messrs. Ball, of
Texas, and Lawrence, of Massachu-
sets, both members of the commit
tee, and Alessrs. White, Of Kentucky,
Thompson and Burnett, of Alabama,
Who spoke in favor of improvements
If interest to their districts. 1t was
agreed that general debate on the
dill should close to-day at three
o'clock. Saturday. April 26, was set
lside for memorial services on the
ate Representative Stokes. of South
arolna, and Representative Crump,
# Michigan.
Mr.. jenkins. of Wisconsin, intro
luced a resolution directing the
'ouse committee on judiciary to re-
'ort ON number of questions re-
ating to the political status Of Cuba, I
IL: rs Cuba, as far as the United I
tates is concerned, foreign or do
nestle territory? Has the United +
tates exercised sovereignty over the 8
'land and people? Has the United a
tates the title to the island, and if T.
OF, where does the title rest?" D
ther questions are asked by the \
esolution. Mr.. Jenkins holds that '
hen the sovereignty of Spain over a
uba ended it was vested in the a
'nited States and cannot be in a sus-
ended condition.
Mr.. Hill, of Connecticut, introduced
bill for the coinage of the silver U
ullion in the treasury under the
ct of July IA, 1892, into subsidiary
liver coin. II
.-F,1.