Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-10
DIVISION AMONG DEMO- RATS
Hsus. Minority Uhsbls TO Agree on Phil
ippile Tariff Bill
WILLIAMS fAvoRs PENDING MEASURE
Burgess OF Texas says Position of
Minority Leader is Inconsistent
with Position of the
Party.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 9.-rhe Philippine
tariff measure was the single topic of con-
sideration in the house today The speeches
were uniformly against the measure and
were allowed to go In general without an
swer. DEPRESSION in the form of tariff re-
vision discussion was made in brief
speech by Mr.. Glllett OF Massachusetts
who favored Canadian reciprocity. Mr.
| Bonynge of Colorado discussed the bill
| from the standpoint of the beet sugar in
dustry. Mr.. Burgess OF Texas opposed 1t
on constitutional grounds and had a lively
colloquy with the minority leader. Mr.. Will
liams. on this point. He charged that dem
ocrats TO be consistent should oppose any
thing but free trade with the Philippines
on the ground that 1t was an American
! possession. Mr., Williams defended the
! minority position by stating that he was
supporting the bill because 1t was near
approach to free trade 1t was possible
to obtain from the majority. The issue
was drawn sharp between the two mem
bers of the minority and furnished the in
teresting situation of the day. Mr.. Cassel
of Pennsylvania spoke In opposition in
behalf of the tobacco raisers of his district.
Mr. Henry of Connecticut took the same
position for his constituents. Mr.. Goulden
of New York closed the debate for the
day with "a brief reference to the need of
taking the protection of the Dingley rates
from the giant trusts OF the country.
The house at o'clock adjourned until to-
morrow. when the discussion will he
sumed
BonynRe Opens Debate.
There was no delay i'm beginning the de-
bate on the Philippine tariff debate in the
A,,,i -hata rNra-
ceded the discussion; which opened by
Mr. Bonynge of Colorado, who opposed the
bill In the interest of the beet sugar in
dustry. Mr.. Bonynge received many con-
CALCULATIONS when he concluded.
Mr. Burgess CTexas) followed. II want to
see the Philippines treated as foreign ter
ritory" he declared. II want to see the
time approach rapidly when we can cut
loose from that pestferous gang over
there"
Mr. Williams, the minority leader, inter
iected. II take it, the gentleman will agree
with me that whatever the Philippines
ought To be, they are at the present time
colonies of the United States"
II did not create existing conditions, and
III not recognize them" replied Mr.. Bur
CESS.
A colloquy ensued between the minority
leader and Mr.. Burgess in which Mr.. Will
liams was put on the defense of his posi-
ton on the bill
Mr.. Burgess wanted to know IL Mr.. Will
lams believed the constitution extended to
the Philippines
r Question of Consistency.
Mr.. Williams recognized that the supreme
! court had extended 1t there.
Then how could Mr.. williams vote for
l this bill which levied duties against a part
of the United States?" inquired Mr.. Bur
, CESS.
Mr.. Williams explained that the minority
/ substitute for the bill provided free trade
knowing that it was impossible to get that
{ he should vote for the republican reduction.
: Mr.. Burgess regarded any tariff between
/ the United States and the Philippines as
1 unconstitutional, and said he should vote
against the bill He suggested that IL the
democrats would Join forces with the re-
publican opponents to the bill It would be
defeated.
This was preferring grand larceny to petit
larceny. according to Mr.. williams because
to defeat the bill would be to leave the
present higher schedules in force.
Mr.. Burgess retorted that the whole
thing was mess of pottage. "Give us n
square deal" he demanded. quit cutting
down the schedules on agricultural
, and steel"
At this point Mr. Clark CMoD appealed
to the republican recalctrants to Join the
democrats and pass a measure ito turn
these islands loose-cut loose forever from
= them"
n Resolution for Independence.
II Mr.. Burgess had read resolution for
;, the establishment Of free government
= in the Philippines which he advocated.
- Turning his attention to the expansion
of the Office of the executive" Mr.. I(lrgess
said the constitution made no meHtion OF
a cabinet officers they were mere clerks to
a the president. hence an administration
. measure or policy ought to have no weight
q with the American people. For this reason
% he gave no weight to the administration
$ policy in the Philippines. He spoke at
: length I'm support of his proposition for in
: dependence FOR the Philippines
Mr.. Gillett CMass.) replied to the speech
u of Mr. Sullivan on yesterday, in which
- Massachusetts republicans were criticised
) lie did not believe tariff schedules were
. sacred. but should content himself IN abid
: ing by the action of the republican ma
II jority. Answering a question by Mr.. Sulli
% van, Mr. Gillett said he favored free hide.
and free coal He was doubtful about fire,
~ lumber and free wood pups.
A. 'The gentleman stands exactly on tn,
a democratic platform asserted Mr. sull
=. ! van.
=. Mr. Gillett admitted frankly that h,
az should follow the action Of the republican
ID majority in the house on the tariff. III
personally favored free trade with Can
AZ ada. That cordially might be develope.
,e in that direction. he favored Canadian
n reciprocity.
a. Opposition was made to the bill 10y Mr.
-. Cassel pa because OF the Tobacco In