Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-20
IN THE SENATE.
Speeches Pro and Con on the Philip
pine Tariff Bill.

Washington, Feb. 13.-Then Senate
continued the consideration of the
Philippine tariff bill. today. the main
speeches being made by Burrows,
Mich, for the bill, and Mooney, Miss,
against it. although Mitchell, Ore,
Foraker. Ohio. Mallory, Fla. and Till
man. s. g.. all took more or less part
in the general debate on the subject.
Burrows maintained that Congress was
dealing with the question as ii Is to-
day and not with any reference to
what took place in the past or might
take place In the future. He main
tanned that the United States occupan-
cy Of the islands was with due regard
to international obligations.
Mallory. Fla. spoke particularly i'm
favor of his amendment to that portion
of the bill relating to the naviga-
laws and said that it was necessary
in the interest OF American shipping.
Money, maintained that il was not 50
much a question Of what could be done
with the Filipinos as it was to legis-
ple. There were several rather lively
exchanges between Foraker and the
opposition senators during the debate.
Soon after the Senate convened. a
resolution offered by Tillman was
adopted directing the civil service
commission to transmit to the Senate a
statement showing the apportionment
Of the employees in the various depart
ments Of the government from the sew
eral states and the district Of Column
bia. together with the percentages Of
employees in the departments.
At the conclusion of routine business.
Burrows. Mich, addressed the Senate
upon the Philippine tariff bill.
He said that 1t was not his purpose %
discuss fully the Philippine question. but
to show simply how the United States
was in the Philippines and why it should
remain there. He said that Congress now
was dealing with questions as they were
found, today, and not as they had been
in the past or might be in tine future.
He felt that the nation was confronted
by condition and not by a theory.
I'VE hold" said he. the Philippine u
lands by a title that cannot be cha
lenged by any court in christendom. We
have become responsible for them to the
nations of the world. The pending bill
simply provides revenue sufficient to NEE.
the needs of the government Of the Phil
ippines."
While the Michigan senator was read
ing the proclamation Of President Nc
Kinley known as the Benevolent Assinl-
ilation' proclamation. Tillman interrupt
ed him to inquire If he contended that
the President had authority TO issue that
proclamation.
mo doubt of IT," replied Burrows.
While the treaty had not been ratified,
he said the President had ample author
ity to issue such "A proclamation as :,
guide to the military commanders in the
Philippines.
Burrows asserted that the FilIpinJs
were not prepared either by education or
experience for independence. and could
not maintain II If 1t were granted 10
them. burrows said the legislation pro-
posed In the pending bill seemed to justi-
fy the continued exercise of American
sovereignty over people advancing In
the scale of civilization and orderly gov.
eminent. As to the future, no man could
foretelI but to his mind to abandon tn
islands now. to give up the great work
OF reform and pacifcation. to turn tn
archipelago over to warning factions
within and to assaults of designing enc
mics without. would be the master crim7
Of the century.
Mallory (Fla) declared his opposition
to the principles underlying the pending
measure and specific provisions Of TIE
bill
Tillman presented a number Of public
documents which. ne said, refuted state
ments made by Burrows in his address
earlier In the uaE. InuSe papers pore
geerally on the treatment OF the inhab-
itants of newly acquired countries by thu
United States and were inteded to show
that in the past they have been received
as citizens. He laid especial street on the
differences In the circumstances In the
acquisition Of louisiana and those in the
acquisition OF the Philippines. The for
mer he characterized as Democratic ex-
pansion and the latter as Republican
subjugation.
Quoting President McKinley's an
nouncement that We must pursue Il meth
od of benevolent assimilation" OF the
Filipinps. Tlllman said that the assimila
ton which had been practiced could be
contrasted to nothing so well as the para
BILE of the lamb and the lion. 1t would be
found. he said. when they should get up
that the lamb would be inside the lion.
He spoke OF the effort OF building up
American schools In the Philippines as
'.mawkish sentimentality." saying that
the system could be of no avail In view
of the fact that the teachers sent ovar
know nothing Of the language OF the Fill
ipinos and the Filipinos know nothing Of
the English language.
Money Miss answered some points in
the speech made by Mitchell a few days
ago, contending that our failure 10 recog
nize the Independence Of the Fiiipinos
at any time could have no bearing on