The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-05
EDITOR CUTTINGS CASE
DISCUSSED AT LENGTH In THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
What an American Citizen Says OF
the Pending Observation-Disclosures
Fighting Strength.

today was the debate on the CuttinJ
resolution. After the transaction O
some routine business, the resolution
was reported by Mr. Belmont from thu
Committee on Foreign Affairs, arc
unanimous consent obtained for i'd
immediate consideration.
Mr., Hit, of Illinois, eaid that the
resolutions seemed TO be the uUani
nous report OF the Committee on For
eign Affairs. The resolutions hat
been adopted by the committee yeeter
day, when the correspondence upor
which they were based was in manu-
script, and when the only information
before the committee was contained il
the report of the Secretary of State. Ii
that report it was stated that demand
had been made for the release Of Gut
ting, and that the Mexican Govern.
ment had refused to release him.
Acting upon this, he (Mr. Hitt) had
afsented to the resolutions. Since
then he had read the correspoudence
and instead Of the Mexican Govern.
ment having refused the demand OF
the United States it had shown every
spirit Of compliance. There was nc
evasion, there was no defiance, there
was very nearly humiliation in the
tone OF that feeble government before
the sudden defiant demand OF the
Secretary OF State in the name OF the
President.
Mr. Blount, Of Georgia, inquired
whether Cutting was not still in Jail.
Mr.. Hit replied that he was, but
eaid that upon the interference OF the
Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs
he had been offered his release on
bail, which he scornfully refused.
That was the mischief making Consul
there, who made speeches to crowds
in the streets about indicating the
rights OF his country. That was the
incarnation OF indiscretion who had
charge OF our foreign affairs there.
Cutting, acting by the advice OF the
Consul, declared that his case was no
longer an individual, but an interna.
tional affair, and persisted in sitting
in his prison when he could walk out
any moment he pleased.
Mr.. Grain, of Texas, said that 80 far
from declining the offer to be released
on bail, Cutting had been convicted
and was now awaiting sentence.
Mr.. Hit said that Congress had no
official information about that. He
had heard three or four versions of
that today from various newspapers
and various persone, and one man had
told him that the Mexican authorities
expected to get at the end of the case
today and that the man would he at
liberty. But he did not know that
there was word of truth in sny one
OF these stories. The government was
doing in this case what it had done in
hundred other ,cases-interfering to
secure the release of one of its citizens
There was every prospect OF cordial
co-opera ion by Mexico, aud he did
not believe that the Democratic Secre-
tary OF State was so Incompetent that
he could not successfully carry on this
case with Mexico when he had been so
successful in other cases. Gould Next
co, take England, bring float to bonn
bard New York? No; and gentlemen,
might suggest the answer to the ques-
ton why in the case OF one country
matters were conducted slowly, and in
the case OF the other great swiftnees
was used. He had confidence in the
Secretary OF State, He believed the
Secretary was competent to manage q
diplomatic complication. The demand
he had made had been answered in a
friendly spirit. 1t was for our inter-
eet, it was for the sake of all nations
that we should preserve peace. The
Secretary knew that he had the back.
ing Of all Congress and all Americans
in defending the rights OF Americans
everywhere. Never has there been
any uncertainty OF voice uttered by
this or any other Congress on that
subject
Mr.. King, OF Louisiana, said that
Consul Brigham was a constituent of
his, and he knew him to be man OF
high standing aud learning aud one
fully qualified for the position he held.
Mar. Belmont, of New York, was
somewhat surprised that his Colleague
(Mr. Hitt), should have changed his
opinion on this subjec'. His friend
denied that Mexico mad refused the
of this country, but he could
find no better authority than The Sec
rotary of State, and that officer had
declared that Mexico had refused to
release Cutting. He commented upon
aud denied the correctness OF the po-
sition taken by Mexico and upon
which the case hinges.
At this point the debate closed aud
the House adjourned, without taking
action, until tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock.