Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-22
FEDERAL LAW MAKERS.

contribution to the discussion of the
| Philippine government bill was made
in the senate by Senator Foraker of
States could not leave the islands I'M
| til order had been restored and until
a stable government was established
He declared that this govern
| ment would not come away
from the islands under the present or
next administration, even though the
latter be democratic, because the
American people never would consent
to poltroonery. He held that the
policy adopted in the Philippines was
the kindest and gentlest possible and
in strict accord with the instructions
of President Mckinley. He declared
the minority had attacked the army
from the commanding general to the
humblest private-all because the
army had resented outrages, without
parallel in cruelty, committed by the
Fillpincs. The senate concurred in
the house amendment to the bill ap-
propriating 100000 for the relief of
the people of the French West
Indies.
The house passed by an overwhelm-
| ing majority vote the bill granting
100000 for the relief of the sufferers
in the great calamity in the West
Indies. The bill was a substitute for
the relief measure passed by the
senate and followed the receipt of a
message from the president setting
forth the magnitude of the calamity
and urging an appropriation of $780,
900. A special meeting of the appro-
priation committee was held to facili-
tate action and the bill was reported
to the house within a short time after
the receipt of the presidents message.
Mr.. Hemingway, acting chairman OF
the committee, explained that the
amount was limited TO 100000, owing
to the fact that large private contribu-
lions we're being made. The discus
sion was brief, Mr.. Underwood of Ala
bama being the only one to speak in
opposition. The bill passed by 1876 to
9 votes. Those voting in the mega
| tive were Messrs. Burgess (Tex.)
Gains (Tenn), Lanham (Tex), Moon
| (Tenn.), Snodgrass (Tenn), Tate
(Ga.), Underwood (Ala), and Will
liams (Miss.).
Washington, May 13.-An additional
appropriation of 100000 was made by
the senate for the stricken people ct
the French West Indies, in accordanc
with IF tho
! president that 100000 be appro-
priated. The agricultural appropria-
ton bill was passed. Senator Stewart
| of Nevada, supporting the Philippine
bill, warned the minority that no poll
| tical gain would accrue to them from
their attack on the army. While dis
cussing the proposed coinage of a
silver dollar for the Philippines, Sena-
tor Stewart declared the silver ques-
ton in this country was dead, at least
for the present on account of the
large output Of gold.
The naval appropriation bill, which
provides for two new battleships, two
armored cruisers and two gunboats,
and carries $7,65O,0OO, was taken up
in the house. Mr.. Foss of Illinois
chairman Of the committee, sounded
note of warning against the over.
confident belief that our navy is IN
vincible. He declared that our
victories at Manila and Santiago
were due to the fact that we were
contending with an effete and de
caying nation and that our strength
far out-matched Spain in those con-
tests. Mr.. Rixey of Pennsylvania also
spoke for the bill and most of the
time was given to argument for the
government construction of warships.
The conference report of the omnibus
claims bill was rejected on the
ground that claims not considered nv
either branch of congress had been
inserted in the measure by the con-
ferences and it was returned TO CON.
ference.