New-York tribune., 1902-06-20
PHILIPPINE DEBATE ON.
CIyII, GOVERNMENT BILL TAKEN UP
BY THE HOUSE.
-rtyF, ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY ABLY DE-
PENDED BY CHAIRMAN COOPER or
THE INsULAR COMMITTEE.

PENDED BY CHAIRMAN COOPER OF
THE INsULAR COMMITTEE.
Washington. June 19-The opening day Of
the weeks debate on the Philippine Civil Gov
eminent bill in the House signalized by
remarkably strong and eloquent speech by Mr
Cooper. of Wisconsin. chairman OF the Commit
tee on Insuar Affairs He spoke for almost
three hours and was heard with attention by
both sides Of the House. Much of the speech
was a general defence Of the policy pursued
bv the administration and drew repeated ap-
plause from his side Of the House. He CON
tended that the Philippine problem should not
be a party question, that both political parties
brought on the war with Spain and the votes
of members Of both parties ratified the treaty
which made the islands American territory
The most telling portion Of his speech was the
parallel he drew between the present attitude OF
the opposition and the attitude of the opposi-
fion during and Immediately after the Civil
War.
POINTS MADE BY MR.. COOPER.
MIR. Cooper in beginning his speech. referred
to the momentous and worldwide significance
of the cession Of the Philippines. creating new
era in the history of the world. 1t had brought
The United States forward to the arena of worli
politics; il had given foremost place in the
adjustment of Chinese affairs. Viewed in its
way Of the Orient, where the worlds CONNER
cial conflicts Of the future are 10 be waged
But cur mission in the archipelago vas, he said,
cne far transcending business and commercial
considerations. We in the Philippines TO
perform duty. TO expand the bounds Of free
dom. 10 carry the blessings Of civilization to
benghted race, TO establish in the place of a de
crept old monarchy an invincible young re-
public
had in
Philippines, he said, required the exercise Of
practical sense and good judgment. In answer
TO the assertion that the islands would consu-
tute a continuous charge on the United States
he read from the last report Of the Philippine
Commission the statement that the lnsular
treasury had met all the demands on it since the
American occupation. and the prediction that
not only would the United States never be called
on 70 contribute the support Of the insular
government but that in a few years the insular
government would be able TO make large general
improvements
REPUBLICAN POLICY DEFENDED
The present policy in the Philippines, inaugu-
rated by William Mckinley and pursued by him.
Mr.. Cooper said, had been attacked by the op-
position as cruel and inhuman- He submitted
that the verdict of history would not write down
the best beloved OF Presidents and most humane
OF men as despoiler OF liberty and an enemy
of mankind. (fiepublican applauseD
He did not deny that instances of cruelty may
have occurred in the conduct of the war in the
Philippines But" said he. earnest as is the
demand for justice and deep as is the indigna-
tion the people Of the United States who see
The true proportion of things will not despair.
They know the great work OF civilization that
has been accomplished. Certain soldiers may
have brought disgrace upon themselves, but
they have not brought dishonor upon the ad-
1ninistration of William Mckinley. nor can they
hiring dishonor upon the administration of his
successor who is striving TO do his duty ana
who is nobly and gloriously succeeding. ZAP
plaGseO Isolated instances of cruelty cannot
dim the reputation of Merritt or Otis or Mac
Arthur. nor bIacken the memory Of Lawton or
of any Of the other brave men who gave up
fheir lives for the cause of liberty in the Phil
ippines." Renewed applause)
THE SAME OLD OPPOSITION.
Amid tremendous applause the Republican
side Mir. Cooper compared the present denun-
citation of the administrations policy and the
platform declarations of Democratic conven-
tions with those OF 1864. Now, he said, the
Democrats spoke of Roosevelt the Man on
Horseback then they described Lincoln as the
Emperor at the Other End OF the Avenue, and
firmly resolved that he dangerous TO the
liberties of his countrymen In 1865. he said.
the Democracy had Imperialism in its most Vio-
lent and Firulent FORM In convention lutS uS-
Slared they arraigned the Radical party for its
disregard Of rights and tn unparalleled oppo-
sition and tyranny which has marked its
course" declared that the pillars of govern
Tnent are rocking their base. and that II the
Republicans elect their President we VIII meet
as a subject and conquered people amid the
ruins of liberty and scattered fragments OF
the constitution" Had anybody ever heard any
thing more terrible? IN his opinion this plank
in the Democratic platform OF 1SbS was en-
Titled first place for unique, picturesque
nast5rful asininity- tApplause and laughter
Did members realize that ever since We had
been cropping around the ruins of liberty and
stumping toes the scattered fragments
of the constitution? Laughter-) Who was the
man they feared? The silent man of Apo
Gregor met the only conqueror he ever knew as
his great soul went forth 10 meet his God
Cireat appausel
Mr. Cooper devoted considerable time 10 ex-
planning and arguing the wisdom of the coinage
feature Of the House bill
Mr.. Cooper spoke about three hours He was
enthusiastically applauded when he concluded
and half a hundred of his colleagues crowded
about congratulate him
Mr. Jones, OF Virginia the ranking minority
member of the Committee Insular Affairs,
made ar able presentation OF the Democratic
position. but he yielded the floor after speaking
about an hour. and will resume tomorrow
morning These the only speeches made
to-day The order under which the House is
operating provides for night sessions until
"Wednesday for debate only. but no was
prepared 10 speak tonight the order for the
session this evening was vacated
AMERICAN RULE IN PHILIPPINES