Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-16
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. June IS,

.5. u WASHINGTON, June Is.
SENATE. The bill confirming the title OF
Mrs. Harriet Parker to two guano islands in
the Pacific Ocean, discovered by her late hus-
band, was passed, and then the franking bill
was proceeded with, and after a long discus
sion Senate adjourned. III
House. The House resumed considera-
ton of the resolution in regard to Cuba, and
was addressed by Mr.. Wood, a member of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who said
he had not supported either report. and did
not think that either gave any practical or
substantial aid to the Cuban cause. He
thought it a very singular circumstance that
the gentleman from Mass, {Butler) who had
been instructed to inquire into the premature
publication of the report of the Gold Investi-
CATION Committee, should have extended that
inquiry without authority, into the issue and
use of Cuban bonds, and the President in his
recent message should have taken up the
same point
Mr.. Butler stated that the public statement
upon the Cuban bonds, did not come from
any information obtained from his Commit
tee. FL. F..
Mr.. Banks asked his colleague if he had
not exhibited the Cuban bonds to all the
members of the House.
MIR. Butler replied that he exhibited half
a dozen Cuban bonds taken from the pocket
of reporter of city newspaper, by paying
him fifteen cents on dollar for them.
Mr. Banks asked his colleague further,
why he had not made his report having had
the subject under consideration for nearly
three months.
Mr. Butler replied that he had brought be-
fore the Judiciary Committee, ~ question of
compelling the Attorney of the Cubans to
disclose the contract under which two millions
of bonds had been deposited, and the ques-
ton was still before the Committee.
Mr.. Eldridge of Wis, objected to the dis
closure OF the matter before the Committee,
and the Speaker sustained the objection.
In conclusion Mr.. Wood recapitulated at
considerable length, the reasons in which he
said he found more than justification for the
recognition of Cuban belGeerency.
He argued that the United States would be
justified in demanding of Spain autonomy
for Cuba, like that which England grants
Canada and all her colonies, or as an alter
native, that she reinquish at once her claim
to the Island, which at best cannot long be
maintained.
Mr.. Willard, another member of the Com,
mittee, next addressed the House in opposi-
ton to the resolution of the majority He
indicated the strength of the insurgent cause,
and said that the object of those who were
pressing the matter upon Congress, was that
they might be able to sell Cuban bonds. He
thought if any lesson had been burned into
the very heart and mind of the American
people by the late rebellion, it was that they
should mind their own business. He COM
mented on the fact that the head and front of
what was left of the Cuban rebellion, was an
Ex-Confederate General, who had been lob
bying on the floor of the House, and who as
stated by his principal newspaper organ in
New York, approached over one hundred
members on the subject, and received but
one repulse from the gentleman from Mass.
Mr.. Willard defended the President and his
message, and sustained the course Of Secre-
tary Fish, concluding with an appeal to the
House, not to be drawn into any quixotic en-
terprize by Cuban bonds and Cuban agents,
in New York and Washington.
Mr.. Butler spoke at some length against
the resolution.
Mr. Logan of ILL.,, replied to Mr.. Butler
in a very animated manner.
After long discussion, without action, the
House adjourned.
The resolution will be brought up to-mor-
row as unfinished business.