Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-04-23
RAWLINs RAISES LOUD CRY
Utah Senator Says Proposed Philip
pine Bill Contemplate Gross
ImpOsItiOns.

WASHINGTON April 22.-Formal discus
sion of the bill temporarily to provide a
government for the Philippine islands was
begun in the senate today, Mr. Rawlins of
Utah, leading minority member of the Phil
ippine committee, opening the debate. He
denounced the bill as unwarrsnted impo-
sition on the Filipinos, declaring that it
would establish one of the foulest oligarch-
les OF the world.
He maintained that the Philippine COM
mission was given too great power by the
bill and asserted that under It's provisions
the islands would be exploited for private
gain. While he was speaking two efforts
we're made to maintain a quorum, the Sec
ond resulting in a lively tilt among sew
eral senators, Mr. Scott of West Virginia
intlmating that the argument could not in
fuence any senator.
The senate passed a bill providing for
the &ntry into this country free OF duty
of replica Of bronze statue of Rocham-
beau to be erected in Washington.
RavIins Opens His Batteries.
I'VE seem to have arrived at that point
in our history" said Mr.. Rawlins in oppo-
sition to the Philippine bill. where there
are those who affect to believe that ii is
treason to think and to talk. For Gods
sake, let us keep silent until the war is
over exclaimed peripatetic hero and
graduate from the Philippines. who wants
to make free speech treason and to cart us
away to the gallows.
Congress no longer has to declare war
An Otis or Chaffee is prepared to attend
to this any day in the week.
"a few days ago a message came to us
that Malvar the last OF the insurrectoe
had surrendered The next day It was an
nounced that General Chaffee had declared
new war and had dispatched an army
to wage 1t against 100000 OF people in
the island OF MIndsnao. But mum is to be
the word as long as there is any disturb
ance anywhere within our borders, or in
any one of the more than 1000 Islands be-
yond the sea.
Cries Absolute Power.
This bill strikes It's roots into and derives
It's support from that excrescence in the
army bill of 1901 known as the Spooner
amendment The qualification of the abso-
Lutte power therein conferred. adopted at
the instance of the senator from Massachu-
setIs by this bill, is eliminated.
IAN property rights in the island and the
future OF their inhabitants are turned over
to the disposal Of the commission without
any Qualification of Importance.
The commission may declare war and
make piece, raise armies and provide ma
vies. regulate commerce with all sorts OF
determinations between islands and ports
levy taxes without limit and without uni
formity. It may coin money and regulate
the value thereof, and may establish re-
ligion and punish these who do not conform
to its tenets. II may destroy free speech
and punish as an act OF sedition the publi-
cation Of the truth IL can establish an in
quisition. devise aud apply methods Of ex-
crutiating torture, compelling persons to be
witnesses against themselves. and disclose
information which the commission may de-
sire to extort."
scott PFectpttates n CrOsshre.
Does the senator think" inquired Mr..
Scott OF West Virginia that any senator
on this floor viii be Influenced by any argu-
ment that may be made on this question -
Mr.. Rawlins replied tartly that he never
INDUCED the thought that the senator from
West Virginia (seotD would be influenced
by any argument on any question. An oil
garchy as foul as any ever established was
about to be forced on the Filipinos by the
pending bill, yet" said he. while this
measure is under consideration senators
stink away, declaring that no argument that
can be made can have any effect upon
them"
Mr. HoAr requested Mr.. Rawlins to with
draw the expression "slink away" urging
that no unworthy motives ought 10 be i'm
puted to any senator.
Mr. Rawlins said he would change the
expression to walk away" or go away"
Mr. Teller said there was nothing much
more diseouTteous to a senator than for an
entire body OF senators representing one
side OF a chamber 20 leave the chamber
while he was speaking.