OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11684, 17 March 1900, Page 5

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

(Frou Our Own Cobrespondent.i

CHICAGO, 111., U.S., January 19, 1900.

THE PHILIPPINES.

Few speeenes in the Senate have called out a wove general applause' than the recent j upeech of Albert J. Beveridge, of Indiana, on the Philippine Islands. It was an exciting day in Congress. The speech was a masterful plea for expansion and a broader national life, and, falling as it did from the lips of a man who is not yet 38 years of age, and who was elected by the Legislature of Indiana, onlylast January, it produced a marked stir in the Senate and throughout the country. The fact that so young and inexperienced a senator should so far disregard traditional custom as.to offer his unseasoned views on so important a question and to so dignified an assembly would tend to mark him as a presumptuous upstart and an egotist of the worst type." However, the way in which Senator Beveridge acquitted himself in his maiden speech before the Senate wrung from his hearers an applause which was a recognition of his eloquence, discretion, and logical and convincing power, and which admitted him to the select circle of those who stand as loaders in the Legislature. The resolution offered by Senator Beveridge was as follows:—"Resolved that the Philippine Islands- are territory belonging to the United States; that it is the intention of the United States to retain them as such, and to establish and maintain such governmental control throughout the archipelago as the situation may demand." His opponent was no other than the venerable Mr Hoar, of Massachusetts, and it was generally recognised that the contest was a battle between the old century and the new, between traditional policy and the new era of national life. It is an odd fact that Mr Hoar started upon his legislative career in the same year that Albert J. Beveridge was born. But the contest between the eloquent old man from Now England and the amazing young orator from the middle West-has brought out more plainly the fact that the sympathy of the people is with'-the new era of progress and responsibility as defined in the stirring speech of the latter. Mr Beveridge has but recently returned from a personal visit to the islands in question. While there he conducted a laborious but resolute investigation of the actual state of affairs, and was qualified to discuss the question from an authoritative standpoint. i'resh from the scene of conflict, he was able to bear personal testimony of existing conditions in support of his contention. When the much-heralded young man from Indiana arose to begin his speech lie faced one of the largest audiences ever assembled in the Senate chambers. Every' senator was in his seat, and the galleries were crowded to their utmost capacity. "During the two hours in which ho addressed the audience, and definitely outlined tho policy of expansion, he had the undivided attention of his hearers, and not a man or a woman left the Chamber while he was speaking. After a'short introduction, he proceeded with the following ringing statements:—"iJ.'he Philippines are ours for ever; ' territory belonging to the United States,' as the Constitution calls them. And just beyond the Philippines are China's illimitable markets. We will not retreat from either. We will not repudiate bur duty in the archipelago. We will not abandon our opportunity in the Orient, We will not renounce our part in the mission of our race, trustee, under God, of the civilisation of the world. And we will move forward to our work, not howling our regrets, like slaves whipped to their burdens, but with gratitude for a task worthy of our strength, and thanksgiving to Almighty God that He has marked us as His chosen people, henceforth to lead in the regeneration of the world. This island empire is the. last land left in all the oceans. If it should prove a, mistake to abandon it, the blunder once made would be irretrievable. If it proves a mistake to hold it, the error can be corrected when wo will; every other progressive nation stands ready to relieve.us." Ho pointed out that " China's trade is the mightiest commercial fact in our future! " Of the possibilities of the islands themselves in a commercial way, he made the following statements:—"No land in America surpasses in fertility the plains and valleys of Luzon."

. . . "The wood of the Philippines can supply the furniture of the world for a century to come." . . " Manila as a port of call and exchange will, in the time of men now living, surpass Liverpool." . . " The climate is the best tropic climate in the world." . . " From Hongkong's heights civilisation is irradiating all the Orient. If- this be Imperialism, < its final end will be the empire of the Son of God." Of the inhabitants of the islands he said:—"They are a barbarous people, modified by three centuries of contact with a decadent race." . . " Aguinaldo is a clever) popular leader—able, byave, resourceful, cunning, ambitious, unscrupulous, and masterful. He is a Malay Scylla, not a Filipino Washington." . . "Had Aguinaldo not known it was proclaimed on the stump and in the press of a faction in the United States that every shot fired into the breasts of American soldiers was like the volleys fired by Washington against the soldiers -of King George, his insurrection would have dissolved before it entirely crystallised." Taking up the. form of government in outline, ho continued :—" We must not forget that in dealing with the Filipinos we deal with children ; and so our Government must be simple and strong. The meaning of these two words must be written in every line of Philippine legislation; realised in every act of Philippine administration. A Philippine office in our Department of State; an American Governorgeneral in Manila, with power to meet daily emergencies; possibly an advisory council, with no power except that of discussing measures with the Governor-general, which council would be the germ for future legislatures— a school in practical government: an American Lientenant-Governor in er.ch province, with a like council about him; if possible, an American resident in each district, and a like council grouped about him ; frequent and unannounced visits of provincial Governors to the districts of their province; periodical reports to the Governor-general; an American board of visitation to make semi-annual trips to the archipelago without power of suggestion or interference to officials or people, but only to report and recommend to the Philippine office of our State Department." The long and eloquent speech was ended with the words: "Mr President and Senators, adopt the resolution offered that peace may quickly come, and that we may begin our saving and regenerating and uplifting work. Adopt it, and this bloodshed will cease when these deluded children of our islands 'earn that this is the final action of the representatives of the American people in Congress assembled. Reject it, and the world, history, and the American people will know where to for ever fix the awful responsibility for the consequences that will surely follow such failure to do our manifest duty. How dare we delay when our soldiers' blood is flowing?" The storm of applause which swept through the galleries as Mr Beveridge resumed his seat was loud and long. When lie could be heard Mr Hoar replied with a forceful speech; but it was plain that the verdict of the people was for expansion. It is recognised that the speech delivered by Senator Beveridge is such as is heard in the Senate Chamber once or twice only in a decade.

THE NICARAGUA CANAL.

It lias been announced that Congressmen have reached a definite , understanding with regard to the much discussed Niearaguan Umal, and tliat early action will be taken by Congress for the actual construction of a ship canal to connect the oceans. The fact that Senator Morgan, from the committee on inter-oceanic canals, has reported the Hepburn House Bill with but slight changes is not only a concession to the House, but his action intimates that no serious objection will be raised against the American plan by England. It is believed also that negotiations between this country and the Central America Uoyermnents are so far advanced, as to insure the early commencement of the actual work on the canal, provided the Senate upholds the bill. The friends of the project are sanguine that that latter will become a law in the near future, possifcly within 60 days. Although there is some talk about protests from Germany and England, it is believed that it is the aim of the commercial nations to secure merely the neutrality of the cn.iv.il when built. Of eouse, the main object of the construction of the canal will be to enable American ships of war to pass through', and the waterway will be wholly American. Outside of this it will doubtless be conducted upon a basis of strict neutrality, with the exception that no vessels belonging to any nation at war with tbe United States will be allowed to use the channel. Future treaties will regulate the rights of commercial -nations in general, but. it ie not expected that these questions will delay the beginning of: the enterprise. .It is urged that the treasury of the United States is in a splendid condition to meet the drain which will be made upon it in the event of the carrying out of the project. At least eight years will probably be required to complete the channel, and oven if it'could be finished in much less timo, the condition of the treasury is such that not a dollar would have to be borrowed i"or the. work. The prospect for

the canal,seems particularly bright, for the reason that, not only the outside onposition, but the antagonism of the Pacific railroads,' which has all along been a serious obstacle' to canal legislation, have seemingly melted

REPUBLICAN PARTY'S POLICY.

One of tho most important of the new bills brought before the Senate is that introduced by Mr John C. Spooner, of Wisconsin. Tnis bill.is believed to represent the policy : 5 the Republican party in Congress, and is favoured by the President himself. It is as follows: " When all insurrection against the authority and sovereignty of the United States in the Philippine Islands shall have been completely suppressed by the military and naval forces of the United States, all military, civil, and judicial powers necessary to govern the said islands shall, until otherwise provided by Congress, be vested in such persons and shall bo exercised in such a manner as the President of the United States phall direct, for maintaining and protecting the inhabitants of the said islands in the full enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion." It is the evident intention of the author of this bill to follow up the general resolution offered by Mr Beveridge with a definite law of Congress giving President M'Kinley full authority m the Philippines. Although, according to the Constitution, the President already holds this authority, it is obvious, if the present situation is to continue indefinitely, that lie should have the express authorisation of Congress to that end. The President's policy will thus bo placed upon a basis' of law and above criticism, and no one will be m doubt as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the future-of-the islands. As tho bill is endorsed by most of the Republican leaders of the Senate, as well as by the President, it is thought, that it nan be pushed to adoption. It is doubtful if a scheme of civil government for the islands will be adopted by Congress this session. The insurrection still continues, and until this country has absolute military control the exact need cannot be determined, nor can the details of a competent form of government be arranged. It is steadily becoming more evident that the financial bill, which is ponding in the Senate is of secondary interest There is little doubt that the coming campaign issue, will rest upon the question of expansion. That this issue will divide tho existing parties is inevitable. Among the Republicans in the Senate there are a number who are carrying on a vigorous anti-expansion contest. On the other hand, there are many avowed expansionists in the Democratic ranks, and it is said that most of the silver men from the far west are expansionists. The Beveridge resolution and the Spooner bill seem to have the support of the entire country, and it is not unlikely that the policy defined in the latter will be the main plank in the Picpublican platform.

CHICAGO'S DRAINAGE CHANNEL.

Chicago's great drainage channel, connecting the Chicago and Desplaines Rivers, is at last open, and the Chicago River no longer runs into Lake Michigan. The river now runs south, and the water from tho lake will make its way through the river and down to the Gulf of Mexico. The building of this canal is admitted to be one of the greatest engineering projects of the age. This gigantic undertaking lias been in progress for eight years and represents a -total expenditure of 33,525,691.00 dollars. The main reason for tho building of this great channel was to divert the sewerage of the city of Chicago from the lake to the Mississippi River. It is said,that the first person to suggest an artificial waterway from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River was .loliet, who, with Marquette, over 300 years ago explored the valleys of the Desplaines and Illinois Rivers. In the early part of the present century the project of building such a canal for the accommodation of .western commerce was widely discussed, and it was urged that ocean craft would one day be able to pass through the St. Lawrence River«and the locks, across the lakes to the Chicago River, thence via the sanitary canal to the Illinois River, and through the Hennepin Canal to the MississipDi and the gulf Tho Government furthered "these designs by mapping out the Hennepin'Canal, and the State, in co-operation with' the Government, built the Illinois and Michigan Canals. But the State canal encountered many obstacles, and it was found that a ship canal from the lake to the Mississippi would lie more feasible. Finally the drainage channel was proposed, not alone as a solution of the Chicago sanitary problem, but as a deep waterway. With the sewage pouring into the lake from which Chicago gets its water supply, the situation became from year to year more perilous to the city, and Ihe need of a sanitary canal became more urgent.

Engineers and hydraulic experts were called upon to solve the question, and finally there was evolved the daring plan of sending a flow of water through the Chicago River, the Desplaines River, and the Illinois and Michigan Canal to the Mississipi. Although a provision in the law demands that at least 5000 cubic feet a second shall flow through the channel to dilute the sewage, with a proportionate increase for every additional 100,000 population above 1,500,000, there has been a vigorous protest since the intent of this project became known. At the first alarm, the people of the Illinois and Desplaines "Valleys prepared to fight the thing in the courts if necessary. During the years in which tho canal has been building the trustees have had to battle against the strongest opposition imaginable, and it may be looked upon as a remarkable achievement that they have at last succeeded in their enterprise. Isham Randolph, who engineered the big channel, began his scientific career as a farmer boy of 20, and in the capacity of a man in the survey of the Baltimore and Ohio road—the very smallest position attached to the corp3. Within four years, by the closest application to his studies; Mr Randolph had risen to the position of engineer in the same service. In 1880 he was called to Chicago as chief engineer of the Chicago and Western Indiana road, and in 1891—having meanwhile oraened a genepi engineering office of his own in Chicagohe was appointed consulting engineer of the big road in whose employ he began his noted career. Mr Randolph is an international authority on excavations and bridges.

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF UTAH.

The special committee appointed to investigate the charges against. Brigham H. Roberts, of Utah, mentioned in our last correspondence, has reached a final conclusion, and has announced the following statement of facts:—

We find that B. H. Koberts was elected as a representative to the fifty-sixth Congress from the State of Utah, and was at the date of his election above the age of 25 years; that he had been for more than sever, years a naturalised citizen of the United States and was an inhaVtant of the State of "Utah ■

We further find that about 187S he married Louisa Smith, his first and lawful wife, with whom he has ever since lived as such, and who, since their marriage, has borne him six children.

r ,^. bou'l&^ he married as ins niuial wife Celia Dibble, with whom he lias ever since lived as such, and who, since their marriage has borne him six children, of which (.lie last iver° twins, bom, Aug. 11, 1897. ha^- s,°, me ye:irs after his E;licl marriage to Celia Dibble he contracted another plural marriage with Margaret C. Shipp, with whom he ha.3 ever since lived in the habit and repute of

1 J OUf.f<? mmuto. 3 la unable t0 flx the exact elate of tins marriage. It does not appear that le held her out as his wife before January 1, 1& i, or that before that date she held him o-it as Her husband, or that before that date they were reputed to be husband and wife I'hat these facts were generally known in Utah, publicly charged against him divrin" his S Paign clcctio "' alld were "°t 'l^ied by

lhat the testimony bearing on those facts was taken m the presence of Mr Roberts, and that he fully cross-exammeel the witnesses, but stand" *° PltlCe himselt °" t!le witness

The enormity of this charge against the Congressmaivelect is .admitted by all of the members, and the majority of them favor his exclusion at the outset. However a minority report will be presented, which'will favour the seating of Roberts on his pr ma facie righs and then expelling him. The main point of the minority report is that the House cannot add to the requirements provided by the constitution for admission to the House, which does not look beyond the properly-cer-,VM n°frm" n credentlals> to determine the nght of a Congressman-elect to take his seat ilie report will urge that the only constitutional remedy is to admit and then expel on tUo finding of facts.

THE COLOURED PEOPLE Senator Cullon, of Illinois, has recently presented to the Senate a most significant petition, which is signed by over 3000 coloured persons asking for speedy legislation that will protect the coloured men of this country from the barbarous practice of lynching and burning coloured men." During the past year lynching, have.been of frequent occurrence m the south. In fact, it is to be doubted that tins inhuman custom is becoming less prevalent than in years gone by. Although every Senator would be glad to witness the adoption of a measure that would suppress the wrongdoing, it is pointed out that " there is no power in Congress to prevent or to punish crimes committed in the various States If the {states do not punish crimes, for the punishment of which they have enacted laws, no federal law can take the placo.of useless State laws. This at best is recognised as a deplorable state of affairs, and it is' hoped that the various states will enter upoii a vigorous war against this evil, wliich brands the South as a notoriously lawless section in tho eyes of tue outside world.