Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-01-10
59TH CONGRESS.
House Opens Debate on
the Philippine Tariff.
Democrats Indulge IN Much
F|oweTy Speech Against It.
Senate Would Inquire Into Panama Canal
and Exchange on Isthmus.

and Exchange on Isthmus.
| Washington. Jan. 9.-Thc Philippine
| tariff measure was the single topic of
| consideration i'll the House today. The
| speeches were uniformly against the
| measure and were allowed to go in
general without answer. DEPRESSION in
| the form of tariff revision discussion
| was made in a brief speech by Mr..
| Gillett Of Massachusetts who favored
| Canadian reciprocity. Mr.. BonyGne of
Colorado discussed the bill from the
standpoint of the beet sugar industry.
| Mr.. Burgess of Texas opposed it on
| constitutional grounds and had a lively
| colloquy with the minority leader, Mr.
Williams, on this point. He charged
| that Democrats to be consistent should
| oppose anything but free trade with the
Philippines on the ground that it was
an American possession. Mr.. Williams
defended the minority position by stat
| ing that he was supporting the bill be-
| Cause 1t was as necessary free trade as
| 1t was possible to obtain from the ma
| JOrity. The issues We're drawn sharp be-
tween the two members of the minor
| ity and furnished the interesting stu
| alton of the day. Mr.. Cassel of Penn
| sylvania spoke in opposition. in behalf
| Of the tobacco raisers of his district
| and Mr.. Henry of Connecticut tok the
same position for his constituents. Mr.
Goulden of New York closed the de-
bate for the day with Il brief reference
| to the need Of taking the protection of
NO
| trusts of the country.
The House at ) O'Clock adjourned I'M
til tomorrow when the discussion will
be resumed.
When the House met today the de-
bate on the Philippine tariff rebate was
| opened by Bonynge, Col. who opposed
the bill in the interest of the beet SUI
gar industry.
Referring to the initial speech on the
bill by Payne. chairman of the ways
and means committee. Bonynge re-
marked that Payne advocated putting
American labor-the best paid labor in
the world-in competition with Philip
pine labor, the cheapest labor in the
world.
Bonyngc received many congratula-
tions when he concluded
Burgess. Texas. followed 81 want to
see the Philippines treated as foreign
t ,rritOry," he declared. Il want to see
the time approach rapidly when we can
cut loose from that pestiferous gang
over there"
Williams, the minority leader, inter-
jectod: Il take it the gentleman will
agree with me ihat whatever the Phil
ippiEns ought to be they are ct the
present time colonies of the United
States.
81 did not create existing conditions
and I'll not recognize them,' replied
Burgess.
Burgess wanted to know if Williams
believed the constitution extended to
the Philippines.
Williams recognized that the supreme
court had extended it there.
'Thcn. how could Williams vote for
this bill which levied duties against a
part of the United States?" inquired
Burgess.
Williams explained that the minority
substitute for the bill provided free
trade. knowing that it was impossible
to get that. he would vote for the Re-
publican reduction.
Burgess regarded any tariff between
the United States and the Philippines as
unconstitutional and said he should vote
against the bill. He suggested that If
the Democrats would join forces with tho
Republican opponents to the bill it would
bc defeated
This was preferring grand larceny to
petit larceny, according to Williams. be-
cause to defeat the bill would be to leave
the present higher schedule in force
At this point Clark. Mo. appealed to
the Republican rccalcitrants to Join the
Democrats and pass a measure Ito turn
these islands lO0Sc-tO cut loose forever
from them"
Burgess had read resolution for the
establishment of a free government in the
Philippines which he advocated.
Gillett. Mass. took the floor to reply to
the speech of Sullivan yesterday in which
Massachusetts Republicans were critic;z-
cd. lie welcomed Democratic criticism
hut did not think Massachusetts, Republic
cans deserved Republican criticism for
wanting tariff revision. He did not be
lieve tariff schedules were sacred bu.
should content himself in abiding by the
action of the Republican majority. lie
had respect for the speaker. but said he
was not always exceedingly anxious to
he in accord with him.
Answering questions by Sullivan. Gill
lett said he favored free hides and free
coal He was doubtful about free lum-
Der and free wood pulp.
s'The gentleman stands exactly on the
Democratic platform asserted Sullivan.
Gillett explained that it was his private
opinion that not near the benefit which
the citizens of his state anticipated would
result from free raw material.
His declaration that he considered hides
= bv-product of beef brought Lacey, Ia,
to his feet.
"Dces the gentleman contend that
norterhouse steak az by-product?" he
asked.
"Of course not"
"N-ell. the hides bring the most money
NJ the two" concluded Lacey.
Continued on Page TwOl