Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-28
57TH CONGRESS.
Senators Object to Criticism
from Army Officers.
Dubois Of Idaho Thinks Gen. Wheaton
Deserving Of Reprimand.
Arguments for Reduction of War
Revenue Taxes.

Washington, Jan. 27.-An animated
and prolonged discussion was precipi
tated in the Senate, today, over the
right of army officers to criticise ut
terances made in the Senate or else
where on the conduct of affairs in the
Philippines. At times it became some
what acrimonious. officers in the Phil
ippines being taken very sharply to
task for statements attributed to them
in dispatches from Manila.
Rising to question of privilege.
early in the session, Dubois. Idaho. read
an Associated Press dispatch from
Manila in which Gen. Wheaton was
quoted as having criticised some ut
terances of Prof Schurman in a speech
delivered in Boston. Dubois thought
that the President, under the circum-
stances, would be warranted in repri-
manding Gen. Wheaton for his criti-
cisms. He declared that such COM
ment upon the action Of the Senate
was Outrageous and indecent" and
the minority had had quite enough of
threats and blackmail.
The debate thus begun took a wide
range, Lodge. Mass, Spooner, Wis. and
others maintained that no newspaper
Iutterances ought to be accepted as the
basis for a repi Inland of any officer. un-
less it was supported by an investiga-
ton indicating the accuracy of the re-
port.
Rising to the pending question.
Money, Miss, delivered an extended
speech, in the course Of which he went
prettily thoroughly over the whole
Philippine question.
| Platt, Conn, differed sharply with
| the Mississippi senator on. some of his
conclusions of constitutional law. con-
| tending that the United States could
not be expected to grant Independence
10 the Filipinos and to relinquish all
rights in the islands merely because
of the natives desire for liberty.
Soon after the Senate convened,
| Lodge, chairman of the Philippine
| committee. favorably reported reso-
luton authorizing that committee to
make an investigation of the Philippine
question and for that purpose TO Sit
during the sessions OF the Senate The
| resolution was referred to the commit
| tee on contingent expenses.
! Blackburn. KY, presented the Gre
1entials of James 3. McCreary, recent
ly elected a senator from Kentucky.
| for q term of six years beginning on
| March 4, 1903. They were placed on
| file.
Hanna, Ohio. likewise presented the
| credentials of his colleague, Joseph Ben
son Foraker. VINO was reelected re-
| Gently to the Senate for term of six
years, beginning March 4, 1903.
In introducing resolution providing
| for the appointment of the committee
! of experts to ascertain the cost of an
isthmian canal tunnel five miles in
| length by what is known as the Darien
route. Scott, w. Va. gave notice that
at some later time he would address
the Senate upon the subject.
Dubois, Idaho, rising to a question
of personal privilege, directed attention
| to an Associated Press dispatch from
| Manila quoting Gen. Wheaton as
| criticising some remarks of Dr. Schur-
| man in speech at Manila and that the
| opinion was prevalent in the Philip
! pines that men We're sent to prison in
| Manila for less.
II think" said Dubois. that in view
of the statement in this dispatch the
President ought to reprimand Gen.
Wheaton and those officers in the
Philippines who are criticizing the
Senate for its action or statements re-
garding the Philippines. l don't know
| who Gen. Wheato is but he is probab-
! ~ some charity boy appointed to West
Point by senator or representative
| and since supported by the overnment.
Such remarks as he is quoted as kay-
| in made are. however, outrageous and
indecent"
Lodge. Mass. suggested that it would
be wise to ascertain before Gen.
Wheaton was reprimanded whether he
actually made the statements attrib-
uted to him. Gen. Wheaton, he said.
was an officer of ability and character
and no hasty action ought to be taken
in such case.
Teller-"I don't think there's any
doubt that Gen. Wheaton said what is
attributed to him.
Lodge-"There may be a great deal
of doubt of it.
Teller. continuing. said such a situa-
ton as had arisen was one OF the bless
inSs growing out of the conditions in
the Philippines. A paddock, he assert
ed. was to be placed on the mouth Of
every man. congressman or private citi-
zen. and all criticism Of the admins
tration's Philippine policy was to be
sienced. He referred to the criticisms
of senators who had antagonized the
administrations policy in the Philip
pines, declaring they had been charged
even with treason.
Il suppose" said he. that no sena-
tor. after while. will be able to read
on this floor the declaration of inde-
pendence without subjecting himsei.Sto
a charge of melting treason,',.
He said that IL Pros Schurman's
eech IVES published in the Philip
pines it was known over there that he
proposed that the Filipinos ultimately