Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-02-13

The PHILIPPINE BILL.
Heated Discussion Over the Meas
ure In the Senate.
4 NATIONAL SYSTEM OF IRRIGATION.
Senator Hansbrough Speaks on the Bill
A New Route for the Isthmian Canal
Advooated-Ths Legislative Appro-
priati0n Bill In the House.

pristion Bill In the House.
Washington, Feb. For fou
hours yesterday the senate had tn
Philippine tariff bill under discussion
The measure was completed, so fa
a. the Philippine committee Is cor
cerned, all Of the committee amend
ments being adopted. Several, othei
amendments, however, will DO Of
fered, one or two being pending. To
ward the close Of the session the dis
cussion became heated. In response
to . resolution offered several dry.
ago by Senator Rawlins, Of Utah, the
secretary Of war transmitted to the
senate the sedition laws enacted by
the Philippine commission. They
were read In full and Immediately
drew the fire Of the opponents Of the
governments Philippine policy. Sen.
ator Hoar, Of Massachusetts, ex.
pressed his establishment that such
laws should be enforced by the gov
eminent authorities.
Senator Foraker, of Ohio, had read
from the revised statutes Of the
United States, the laws of congress
relating to the crime of treason and
similar offenses against the govern
ment and said that the acts passed
by the Philippine commission were
almost identical in their language
in the laws enacted by congress in
the days of the fathers OF the re-.
public and that there was nothing
unprecedented or unusual about
them. The Ohio senator was inter-
rupted continually and had several
warm colloquies with senators who
were opposing him. In one Of them
he announced with great earnestness
that the American army never would
return from the Philippines until 1t
returned victorious and that gentle
men in and out Of congress, rail about
1t as they might, ought thoroughly
to understand that fact.
In concluding the debate, Senator
Hoar poured oil on the troubled wa
tiers Of the senate, maintaining that
men might well differ on any Of the
great questions now before the coun-
try, but that all were thoroughly
loyal to the country and were doing
their duty as they saw it.
Senator Hansbrough made care
fully prepared address on the bill to
provide a national system of irrlga-
ton of arid lands.
Senator Scott, of West virginia.
called up his resolution providing for
the appointment of commission to |
examine what Is known as the San
Bias or Mandingo bay route for an
isthmian waterway. He said that,
after thorough investigation, he was
convinced that the San BIAS route
met practically every requirement of
the proposed waterway, but because
the adoption of that route involved
the driving of a tunnel through the
granite of mountain range suffi-
GENTLY large to admit of the passage
of any ship ahoat, the route had been
regarded as impracticable. Person
ally he was convinced that such a tun-
mel could be constructed at a reason.
able cost Including the five-mile tun-
mel the canal would be 30 miles long.
Senator Platt, of New York, intro
duced a joint resolution providing for
the appointment of a joint commits
sion by the United States and Can
ada to examine and report upon the
diversion of the waters between the
two countries.
The house spent the day on the leg
lslative, executive and judicial appro-
prlation bill. Very rapid progress
was made, "a of the 1870 pages of the
bill being disposed OF before adj
lournment. No debate Of Importance
developed during the consideration of
The bill and no amendments of i'm.
portance were adopted.
Mr.. Griffith, of Indiana, introduced
a bill to provide for coupon currency
in order that small sums, in multi.
pies of five cents, may be conven-
lently sent by mail.
Mr., jenkins, of Wisconsin, proposed
m amendment to the constitution
that senator's shall succeed
to the presidency instead of members
OF the cabinet,