Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-14
IN THE HOUSE,
Debate in Lower Branch on Philippinc
Islands Bill.

Washington. April 13.-Tnder n spe-
clai rule the House, lay, devoted it
self to consideration of n bill amend
ing the law relating to the Philippine
Islands The provision in the bill in
reference IL the granting of railroad
franchises and the guaranteeing of ;
per cent. on the cash CAPITAL invest ed
in such railways was opposed by Mr..
Jones of Virginia. who alleged that
British and Belgian capitalists We're.
ready to build the roads without such
guarantee. Messrs. Cooper of Wiscon-
sin and Crumpacker of Indiana, in urr-
ing the passage of the bill, declared
that it properly safeguarded the inter-
ests of the F'ilip;nCs
At the opening of the session Of fhc
House. TO-DAY Mr.. Hemenway GndD. amid
applause. reported the general deficiency
ton bills to be considered at this SEES
sion.
The yeas and nays We're ordered on the
adoption of a special rule to take up and
consider the copper bill amending the
PHILIPPINE government bill and providing
for guaranteeing bonds for building rail-
roads in the islands. BY 4 vote Of l34 to
III the previous question was ordered
tn" resolution furnished an opportunity
Tor McSsrs. Williams and DeArmond to
again criticise the rules of the House.
DeArmond Sarcastically said that the
speaker and committee on rules lad de-
tcrmin"d that the bill and amendments
were so good that no risk must be taken
of getting anything into the bill that
would be harmful or which would lessen
its superb excellence.
Mr.. Crumpacker tRep., Ind) made the
assertion that the minority of the COM
mittte on insulai affairs had not pointed
out any section OF the bill which ought
to be amended, but this was denied by
Mr.. Jones dem. Va. He saic as the
ill is now drafted it admits free the pro
ducts of the steel trust while it con-
customs duty upon ST. eco worth of rice
imported there during the last l. months
Mr.. Dalzell said he had heard no argu-
mrnt against the bill. The bill was sat
isfactory to the majority of the House
hat whether amended or unamended
would not meet the views of the minority.
Why not he said. in these. the clos
ing hours of the session. put the bill
through in accordance with the will of
the majority?
The resolution was agreed to. sc to 1l3
and the bill was taken up. The rules pro-
vide that general debate shall close at l
o'clock. tomorrow, when a vote will be
taken.
Mr. Cooper CWis.). in charge of the bill
EXPLAINED its provisions and said II was
drafted in large part by Secretary Taft
and had the unanimous approval of the
Republican members OF the committee
and the unanimous opposition of the Dem
ocratic minority. He answered the criti-
cisms in the report of the minority men,
bcrs of the committee. with respect to the
establishment of representative govern
ment in the Philippines, by saying that
from the very nature of things no such
government could exist in those islands
| h.pnnCe the EiliDinOS could NOT stand
alone: and in support of his declaration
| he quoted from reports of Admiral Dew
| ely and Gen. Otis and Commissioners
Schurman and Worcester. which enter
| tanned that view. Mr.. Cooper paid trib-
utn to Secretary Taft. who. he said, was
| the idol of the Filpinos.
| MIR Crumpackcr Und) defended the
| policy of the Republican party in the
| Philippines. and Mr.. Patterson CrennD
spoke in opposition to the bill.
! At 80 T. NJ, the House adjourned.