Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-17

today. by vote of "A to %, passed the
Philippine civil government bill. The
final vote was preceded by the presen-
tation of many amendments and u gem
eral discussion of them as well as pro-
visions of the bill. The discussion was
confined quite generally to the merits
Of the measure On some of the amend
ments suggested by Democratic sena-
tors several Western Republicans
voted in the affirmative. but McCumber
was the only Republican who voted
with the Democrats against the final
passage of the bill
Immediately after the Senate was
called to order, Beveridge, from the
comittee on territories reported the
statehood bill and gave notice that i'm
mediately after the disposal OF the
Philippine government bill he would
move it's consideration.
Representing the minority OF the
committee, Bate notified the Senate
that he would enter a motion to recon-
NIT the bill for the purpose of taking
| further testimony.
Bard gave notice of an amendment
confirming the provisions of the bill to
the state to be formed by the union OF
Oklahoma and Indian Territory and
eliminating all references to Arizona
and New Mexico.
| Gall1nger caused laughter by asking
about an alleged executive session
| agreement not to do any further bust
ness before the holidays after the pas
sage of the Philippine bill. Evidently
| he did not know that the action had
been in executive session. Under the
circumstances the Chair declines to
answer" the President Pro Tenn an
Il swered The manner of the reply was
evidently hint to Gallinger and he
asked to be directed to a source from
which ne might secure the desired in
formation. The Chair referred him to
I Cullom.
The Senate then resumed considera-
ton of the Philippine government bill
taking up an amendment striking out
the provision OF the bill eXempting
from taxation bond issued by the Phil
ippine government which was suggest
ed by German.
In support of the amendment German
said that the proposition was practical
ly unprecedented. He cOntended that
the exemption was wrong in principle
and also argued that the exemption
would be applicable to railroad bonds.
Lodge and Foraker replied to German
holding that the exception would be
of vast benefit in disposing of municipal
bonds, that the exemption did not APP
ply to railroad bonds and that the reve
nue. would be incoasiderab BILE.
German said that ultimately tn"
United States government would be
called upon to pay the principal as well
as the interest on the proposed Philip
pine guaranty.
| Bailey disagreed and suggested an
amendment requiring Philippine hail
road companies to secure the approval
Of the Philippine commission for all
bonds issued by them.
| Dubois presented an amendment pro-
viding for the rigid enforcement Of the
| Chinese exclusion law in the Philip
pines. He said that in time there would
be increased demands for admissions of
coolie labor with the results that if
these demands be granted, the sugar
making industry of the United States
would be destroyed.
| Spooner presented 4 substitute for
section 4 Of the bill, relating to railroad
| bonds. The amendment places the rate
| Of interest at 4 per cent. instead of ;
as in the original provision and re-
stricts bond and stock issues to the
amount Of the actual cash Investment.
The understanding was that the ane Id
ment would be accepted by the COM
mittee.
| Reading a document, entitled What
Has Been Done in the Philippines ?"
CulberGon characterized 1t as a pOliti-
cal pamphlet, Notwithstanding it has
been prepared by the war department
and printed by Congress.
Speaking of the railroad bond provi-
sion Quarles said that it is an ambiti-
Gus scheme to supply the FiIipinos with
railroads, in advance of their civiliza-
ton.
Taking up the railroad bond provision
Carmack said he was opposed to the
railroad bond provision because it
would make it more difficult for the
United States to get gu, of the Philip
pines.
Il don't know" he said, that I
should have the courage to thus ex-
press myself, but for the position TAX
en- by the President in his recent mes
sage" He then quoted the Presidents
hope that our Cuban policy might at
some time be adopted IN the Philippians.
This he characterized as remuneration
of the Republican policy and in line
with the Democratic platform and ex-
pressed the opinion that only the Presi-
dents pride is preventing his coming
into complete accord with the Demo-
Gratis.
we welcome the President to the
ranks Of the anti-imDerialists," he said.
He is almost, if not quite, eligible tn
membership in the Boston anti-imper-
, ialist league"
THE Presidents recent utterance >"
he went on, marks great progress
There is more difference" he added
between the former Theodore Roosa-
welt ard the present Theodore Roose-
welt than there is between the presen-
Theodore Roosevelt and William 7
Bryan and Alton 3. Parker"
At o'clock the voting on the amend
Eents began and the first vote was
taken on Germans motion to strike out