The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-17
PHILIPPINE
 BILL PASSED McCumber Voted With
 Democrats. MANY NEW PROVISIONS Knox Joined Opposition Tor
 Amendments. Government of United states Under Provisions of Act stands sponsor For Muniespal Bonded In-
 debtedness. of Islands.
 

Washington, Dec. 16.--The Senate today by a vote of forty-four to twen- ty-three passed the Philippine civil government bill
 The final vote was preceded by the presentation of many amendments and Q general discussion of them as well as of the provisions of the bill. The discussion was confined quite general ly to the merits of the measure. One of the amendments suggested by Dem- ocratic senators was voted on in the affirmative by several Western Repub- licans, but MT. McCumber was the only Republican who voted with the Dem ocrats against the final passage of the bill V4
 The most notable change made dur ing the day was the lowering of the rate of interest on railroad bonds to be guaranteed by the Philippine gov- ernment from to 4 per cent The bill as passed exempts from taxation all bonds issued by the Philippine and Porto Rican governments; authorizes municipalities in the Philippines to in- cur a bonded indebtedness amounting to five per cent of the assessed valua- tion of their property at five per cent interest; authorizes the Philippine gov ernment to incur a bonded indebted ness of $5,000,000 for Improvements at four and a half percent interest; au- thorizes the Philippine government to guarantee the payment of the interest on railroad bondes at the ratS of four per cent per annum; provides for the administration of the immigration laws by the Philippine government; estab- fishes a system for the location and patenting of mineral coal and saline lands; fixes the metric system for the islands and gives the civil governor the title of governor general.
 During the day MT. Beveridge. for the committee of territories. reported the statehood bill and he will make motion on the first day that the Senate convenes in January that the consid- eration of the bill shall be entered on at once. :. MT. Newlaads amendment for tax ta the recd2,ts ot' railroads was voted down. as was MT. Bailey's amendment recurring railroad companies to abide, by rates fixed by the Philipine govern ment requiring railroads to secure the approval by the government of all issues of stocks and bonds. The vote for this amendment was 33 to 39. Mir. Knox was among the Republicans vot- Ing in the affirmative.
 e~Othen amendments lifting the cost Cha railroads to $S5,000 per mile and linn ig the continuance of bonds to rom snty years instead of thirty were Banled down without division. The vote Thie then taken on the substitution of lend Spooner provision for the original junction (, resulting 52 to AS in favor it nieh. le substitute. The railroad bond e6mni CT being disposed of. considera- heaut, of other features of the bill was were seded with.
 roses Government Stands Sponsor. the pa amendment by MT. Stone ex- siiIeny relieving the government of tbe United States of respibsibiiity of the municipal bonds lights orized by the bill was defeated. cred e matters occurred in committee were le whole. When reported to the s. anu ite. MT. Cuberson moved to strike green section l. the railroad bond pro- abou n. The motion was lost-32 to 39 |" following Republicans joined with the Democrats In the affirmative vote: Clapp, Gamble, Kittredge. McCumber Nelson, Perkins and Quarles.
 An amendment by MT Culberson to devote one-half the proceeds of the public lands in the Philippines to edu- cational purposes was voted down 24 to A. The bill then passed. A to 23 MT. McCumber was the only Republi- can who voted with the Democrats against the bill.
 When the result v-as announced Mir Spooner, for the committee on rules presented a resolution authorizing the appointment of judicial committee consisting of three members of the sen ate and three members of the house to prepare for the inauguration of the president on the Fourth nf March, next and asked for immediate considera- ton.
 "Is there objection to the reauest?" asked the chairman
 If objection would prevent the event. I would object" said Mir. Bailey, in 1ocular spirit. but as it will not, I remain silent"
 The resolution was agreed to- MT. Hepburn and MT. McCumber sought to get up the pure food bill, but Mir. Lodge moved an executive session and his motion on roll call prevailed. The Senate therefore. at 4:fO D. m. went in executive session. adjourning at sos 2. m until Monday.