The herald., 1896-03-03
1HEF|FTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
The Senate Bill Passed to In-
crease the Navy
SPANISH.CUBAN QUESTIONS
Receive Due Attention Ia Both Houses
Of Congress
The House by Almost Unanimous Vote Passes
Resolutions Recognizing the Belliger.
ency Of the Cubans

ency Of the Cubans
Associat tsd Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The bill passed
by the senate today for the increase of the
navy attracted considerable attention in
view of the tension over the Spanish affairs.
In explaining the measure, Mr.. Hale of
Maine, who reported it from the naval
committee, said that while he did not be-
lisve the United States would be involved
in war as result of the present troubles,
yet he considered it desirable to give the
president authority in case Of emergency
to call out the naval militia and charter
private ships for naval transports. The
bill, as passed, authorizes the addition of
1000 enlisted men to the navy, the enlist
ing for not more than two years of the
naval militia forces in case of emergency
and the chartering of transport ships in
case Of emergency. The bill passed under
the flve-minute rule and by unanimous
vote. Another bill of general interest
passed which established a retired list for
the revenue marine service. Most of the
day was given to the senate calendar and
many minor bills were passed.
The Spanish-C Cuban question came to the
attention of the senate soon after the days
session opened. when Mr.. Call urged the
adoption Of the following resolution:
Resolved, By the senate, that the presi.
dent Of the United States be requested to
demand from the government of Spain a
statement as to the truth of the charges
made in a letter published in the newspa-
pers purporting to be from Gomez, late
editor of the La Lucha, a newspaper pub
lished in Havana, that he had been tor
tured while confined in a dungeon on the
bare ground for two months in Ceuta, the
penal colony of Spain, to extort from him
evidence against Julius Sanguilly, natur-
allied citizen of the United States, and
subsequently killing said Gomez; also to in
sist on full report Of the evidence and all
proceedings in the alleged civil trial of
Sanguilly, in which it is charged that the
said Sanguilly was condemned to impris-
onment for life at Eeuta on suspicion only
and without evidence; also, then demand
the release of Charles Michaelson and Lo-
renzO Betancolrt, correspondents of New
York newspapers, who are charged only
with entering within the insurgent lines to
obtain information; also, to demand of
Spain that all American citizens who
shall be captured by the Spanish forces
shall be treated as prisoners OF war and be
accorded humane treatment, and to inform
the Spanish government that the United
States will insist on this demand.
Mr.. Call read from newspaper extracts
the report of the barbarities perpetrated on
Gomez and others. These set forth that
the wife of Gomez had received letter
from him written in his own blood shortly
before he died in the Spanish penal colony
In Africa.
The senator declared that Americans
serving in the Cuban army were being shot
- A. <xsn uA Al
recent action of the senate shonld be sup
plemented by steps to secure humane
treatment of prisoners taken by the Span
ish troops.
Mr.. Sherman moved to refer the resolu-
ton to the foreign relations committee,
which was agreed to.
Senator Gear presented Senator Allison's
credentials for the term beginning March
4, 1897.
A resolution by Mr. Allen of Nebraska
was agreed to, calling on the secretary of
the treasury for information on the earn
ings of the Pacific roads from the time of
their organization.
ing Arizona lands, with report from the
house that the bill had been passed over
the veto in that body, and the entire SUBJ
ject referred to the committee on public
lands.
A bill was passed to prevent the carrying
of obscene literature and articles designed
for indecent and immoral use from one
state and territory to another.
The following bills were passed.:
Providing certain requirements for ves-
sells propelled by Iaptha, gas, fluid or
electric motors; establishing naval train
ing station on Goat island, in the harbor of
San Francisco; appropriatlng $11 900 to
the Fort Donaldson national cemetery,
Dover, Tenn; for the promotion of Conn
modores L. G. Sartori and o. C. Badger, to
be rear.admirals; to authorize the St. Louis
and Oklahoma City railroad company to
construct the railway through the Indian
and Oklahoma territories; appropriating
$l5O,OOO for revenue cutter for service
in the Gulf of Mexico and tributaries, and
marking of vessels names on their bows
and sterns. and for marking the draft.
The bill to prevent the Dissertation of the
national flag was made the special order
for Friday next at 2 o'clock.
The house resolutions on Cuba were re-
ported, and on motion of Mr.. Lodge were
referred to the committee on foreign rela-
tons.
At 4:4O the senate held a brief execu.
two session, and shortly afterward ad-
journed.
IN COMMITTEE
The senate committee on privileges and
elections, by strict party vote, decided
today to report a substitute for the resolu-
tion introduced by Allen asking for an in
vestigation into election methods in Ala
bama with special reference to the election
Of the legislature which elected Senator
Morgan. The resolution, as originally in
troduced, provided for the investigation as
TO the election of members of the house;
also whether Alabama had republican
form OF government. The portion relating
to members of the house was stricken out
and that regarding the republican form of
government changed to cover the political
autonomy of the state of Alabama. hand
ler will make majority report. Pugh will
submit a minority report.
IN THE HOUSE
Concurrent ResnIution Pecouniz;vr c,,h. H..