The state herald., 1902-04-04
LATE WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

The minority members Of the Senate
committee on the Philippines are con-
sldering the advlsabllity of presenting
to the full committee proposition for
u visit to the Philippine Islands during
the next vacation for the purpose of
investigating conditions there and of
taking the testimony Of leading Fill
pinos.
The resolution adopted by the House.
providing for the election of United
States senator's by direct votes Of the
people, was again considered by the
Senate committee on privileges and,
elections, but the committee adjourned
for two weeks without taking action.
The discussion revealed the fact that
majority Of the committee was op-
posed to the resolution. The oppon-
ents of the measure assure its friends,
however, that they will not object to
the making Of n report to the Senate
when the discussion shall be con-
cluded.
President Roosevelt declared the 9TH
er day that so long as he is in Office
no deserter from the army or navy
would find favor with him. The state
ment was made to Captains Frank
Bruner and Fred McDonough of Lytle
Post G. A. r., of Cincinnati, who
handed in set Of resolutions from the
ex-Union soldiers of Cincinnati COLI
demning the restoration of deserters to
the rolls, and approving his course in
vetoing certain bills recently passed by
Congress. They also arranged to pre-
sent to the President at the next an
nual encampment of the G. A. II. the
resolutions passed by the Lytle Post
thanking him for the stand he had TAX
en- In giving preference to Civil War
veterans in the matter of appoint
| ments.
Major General f. S. Otis closed his
active career in the army March 25th
by reason Of age and will go into re-
tirement at Rochester, New York. The
War Department paid the unusual
tribute to him by issuing general or
der reciting his distinguished services,
not only through the Civil War, but in
his management at Manila. The order
recites President McKinley's congratu-
uatory messages on the occasions of
Otis success over the Filiplnos at Ma
lalos and when Manila was captured,
and concludes: General Otis goes in
TO his retirement with consciousness
of duty well done during forty years
OF continuous exceptionally meritorious
service, which entitle him 20 the graft
tude and best wishes of his country
men,"
The answer of the State Department
| to the Richardson resolution directing
an Investigation into the charges that
S50O,000 had been used in bribery,
made In connection with the Danish
West Indian treaty, will disclose the
fact that the United States govern
ment has refused to have anything to
do with any persons not directly con-
nected with the Danish government.
The failure OF Congress TO appropriate
the S5,000,O0O which was to be the
price paid for the islands would not
cause failure of the transfer of the
territory. The construction of the
treaty by the State Department is that
directly upon the exchange OF ratifica-
tIons the islands become the property
OF the United States without waiting
for the payment of the money. and
the failure of Congress to make the ap-
preparation would simply leave out
standing debt OF honor
The Republican members of the
House committee on insular affairs are
rapidly perfecting the bill providing
for civil form OF government for the
Philippines In the main the measure
as perfected follows that introduced by
Chairman Cooper and favored by
Judge Taft, but subcommittee has
made number of changes In matters
OF detail. In Its present form the hill
provides for the institution OF civil
government In the Philippines when
| ha t,un ,I.
dent that n state OF permanent peace
has been secured. Thereafter a census
Is 10 be held and the islands divided
Into districts. A legislative assembly
Is created, consisting OF two houses.
The upper house Is TO some extent n
continuance OF the Philippine Com.
mission. The lower house. or Philip
pine Assembly. Is TO he elected by the
people. The discussion has Indicated
strong preference for applying the
gold standard so the Philippine coin
age. allowing the native coins to be
made OF silver, but In all cases having
their value measured by the gold
standard. II h Intended also TO have
the new coins made of silver Lllllrl
now In the United States treasury.
this being purchased by the lnsular an-
thoritles. This gold rtandnrd plan IL
along the lines recommended by the
War Department. us the silver coin.
age plan proposed before the Senate
Philippine committee found no sup
porters In the House committee.
Representatives Mondcii OF wyo-
ming. Shafroth OF Colorado. Jones OF
Washington and Fordney OF Michigan,
have iiled n minority report against
the Lacey bill TO transfer the control
OF the forest reserves from the inter
lur department 10 the agricultural
department. The transfer of the
reserves as proposed by the bin IL op.
posed ON / he ground that complete
transfer Is impractlcablc because 10
gri questions relative TO the settlement
of rights TO lieu land selections, min
Ing rights, etc, must necessarily be
determined by the Interior Depart.
meni. Further. that the Interior Dc.
partmcnt In well ndnptrd TO admins.
ter nll features Of forest reserve man
agement. including policing. while the
Agricultural Department IL not well
qualified for the ndmlnlsirniiv. func.
tions. The report contends that great
additional expense would bc Incurred
by the transfer. ns the Agricultural
Department would he compelled TO MP
point receivers OF public money aud
I ala.I