New-York tribune., 1902-02-22
THE PHILIPPINE DEBATE.
SENATOR SPOONER URGES CONGRESS
TO SUPPORT THE POLICIES OF
MKINLEY AND ROOSEVELT.


M'KINLEY AND ROOSEVELT.
Washington. Feb. 21.-For more than six hours to-
day the Senate had the Philippine Tariff bill under
discussion
Mr.. SpOoner. OF Wisconsin. made brilliant de-
fence Of the Republican policy in the Philippines
He frequently became involved in heated colloquies
with members Of the minority and closed with
appeal to Congress 70 stand by the policies of Nc
Kinley and Roosevelt
Mr., Bate, of Tennessee spoke in opposition to the
bill
Mr.. Tillnar. Of South Carolina. began a charac-
teristc arrasnment of tho administration in the
Philippines. hut had not finished lis speech when
TIE Senate adjourned until tomorrow
Mr. Spooner said the pending bill entirely
free from complications II simply revenue
bill Whatever difficulties Senator's others had
in reconrilinc the difficulties Of the Supreme
COURTS decisions in the insuar cases he was salts
d'Id that the proposed bill was constitutional. as
the Foraker Porto Ricau hill was constitutional
He referred TO some recent statements by William
J. Bryan in his newspaper i'm support Of the minor
ity in the Senate He pointed out that these very
who crticising the government
were instrumental i'm placing the problem before
Congress. He declared thar Mr. Bryan had
come to Washington and advocated the ratif-
cation of the Paris Treaty. and he ventured
the opinion that If it had been for Mr BryaU's
efforts the treaty would not have been ratified. \
solution of the Philippine question. presented to
Congress and to the country now. was demanded
rot by any uottcal Marty hut by the people 0f the
~ountry. He asserted the right Of The majority to
deal with the question as It saw fit. as y had
been placed in responsibility nv the people and
was held to accountability Nv the American people
Mr. Spooner discussed a length the ratification
of the Treaty Paris In the course Of his state
meut he was interrupted hv Mr.. Wellington. who
said
II would give of my life 70 recall the
which for that treaty He declared
that the promises made to him at that time by the
administration with respect to the treaty were
broken.
Mr.. Spooner sharply arraigned the Democratic
party for the encouragement which it's utterances
had given the rebellion in the Philippines. and
declared that the motive which actuaJed the Dem
ocratic leaders A blind greed for political
power. which made them forget the army at the
front. He denounced the substitute proposition
made by the minority Of the Senate Committee on
the Philippines the most miscrievous project
that could be devised by the wit Of man in the
present status of affairs.
1T is he exclaimed. "a bill to raise h. in the
Philippine Archipelago bin which has merit
whatever in it!'
Mr. Spooner characterized Senator Wellington s
criticism Of the administration as unjust. and read
from a speech of Mr. Teller. same year ago. in
which the latter said that the flag would not he
hauled down over territory when raised.
Mr. Teller said that II a. question OF the
desires of the people. and At one time IT vas said
that they wanted the United States there. but now
they did
Mr. spooner recalled the records of votes on the
treaty and resolutions.
Mr. Teller replied that Mr Spooner evidently
wanted to show Inconsistency on the part OF him
self and others when 1t the policy Of the party
in power that he had criticised.
Mr.. Spooner suggested that all Fhese Senators had
voted send troops to the Phil ppnes TO put down
the nsurrection. The minority had supported bills
for the army knowing that the army was to be used
In the Philippines and for the very purpose for
which it being used, although they now
advocated the withdrawal OF troops. The allega-
tons tha' independence had been promised to
AguinaIdo had been denied by those who were said
to have made them.
Mr.. Bate, Of Tennessee delivered an extended
speech against the pending bill. Few things had
occurred in the Senate chamber. he said. more
fateful involving delicate issues and
greater results than the ratification OF the Treaty
OF Paris. He asserted that the payment of $20.O00
oOO for the Philippine Islands commercial
rather than sentimental transaction. and was
the first step toward colonial policy antagonists
TO the American form Of government While he
regarded the acquisition of the Philippines hurt
fu - the American system as destitute Of benefit
Fiipnos the present was MOI the time to continue
the discussion or to propose remedy for the evils
that had sprung from the ratification OF the Paris
Treaty. He declared that it was only after the
ratification OF that treaty that the apprehension
than II could chew Then It was that the new
extend the operafion Of the constftIItion beyond
the States and. II held, in addition. that Con-
SiFSS "ouiu Iol tue pIONIS'Il9 VI liI'
stitution 70 the philippines except with the string
II which denied equality Of administration, taxa
ton and citizenship How many millions of dollars
had been expended in the sentimental programme
of eXpIoita ton was unknown 10 the American peo-
pile but thus far there has been no money return
from this war for trade SpOatiOn.
The present tariff bill Mr. Bate said would he
come laW~/but II would no. bridge the Chasm that
separated a people struggling for independence.
and the Republican par Y bent upon conquest.
exploitation and commercialtsm.' II was given
finite wisdom to distinguish the form which ret
ributon for that trade in Paris would take. but
when tariff bill had been passed the Republi-
can party again might he heard to exclaim,
"Erring sister depart in peace for there would be
no more money to be made out OF the Fplnos.
and they might then take their place again among
natonS OF the world.
The telegraph service between Washington and
New-York was interrupted by the storm. that
only meagre reports the proceedings of Congress
were received.