Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-04

bill by demanding an engrossed copy. 1t
could not be furnished, of course. and
had to be laid aside.
Thirty-eight bills were passed in an
hour and half, and then, at 2:S0 o'clock,
Mr.. Hit called up the report of the con-
ference committee on the Cuban resolu-
tions. The report recommended the
adoption of the following resolutions as
passed by the senate.
Resolved, That in the opinion of con-
gress a condition of public war exists
between the government of Spain and
the government proclaimed and for some
time maintained by force of arms by the
people of Cuba, and that the United
States of America should maintain a
strict neutrality between the contending
powers, according to each all the rights
of belligerents in the ports and territory
of the United States.
Resolved further, That the friendly
offices of the United States should be of
fered by the president to the Spanish
government for the recognition of the
independence of Cuba.
Mr.. Hit Immediately took the floor in
support of the recommendation.
MIR. Hit was interrupted by Mr. Pat
terson. democrat, of Tennessee, who
asked what proportion of the 100000
populat ation in Cuba had engaged in the
movement to secure the independence of
the island
Mr.. Hit stated that a communication
to the house from the secretary of state
showed the number of troops in the field
last August was 10000, one-thrd of which
was we'll armed. Since coming to the
house today Mr.. Hit said he had been
handed statement by Mr.. Rappleye,
the correspondent of the New York Mail
and Express, who had just returned from
Cuba, which showed that the Cuban
army now numbered over $4,000 men.
Mr.. Patterson then inquired what num-
Der of Cubans had enlisted in the Span
ish army, which Mr.. Hit said he could
not answer with definiteness
Mr.. Patterson said the thought he had
was, If the people of Cuba will substan-
tiate unanmity, desiring their autonomy
and independence. they ought to have 1t,
and that Spain should not be permitted
to hold the territory of such people by
subjugation. (Applause.)
Mr.. Hit spoke few minutes more
than an hour and at the close of his re-
marks he was warmly applauded.
Mr. Hyde, republican, of Washington,
asked MIR. Hit to state, If the president
should not take any action on the resolu-
tions, whether or not they would be en-
tirely nugatory, except merely as an ex-
preston of sentiment.
Mr.. Hit replied that he could not
recognize the possibility of such con-
dition of affairs and therefore declined
to express an opinion.
Mr. Boutelle of Maine referred to the
fact that when this subject was first
brought to the house February "a, he
interposed an objection against the hur-
ried and inconsiderate action then pro-
posed. He did not suppose then that
he was the only member who opposed
such hasty action. but the press of the
country had given him a wide promi-
nence in connection with what it termed
"arresting action" on the Cuban resolu-
tions. He did not complain of that prom
inence then and did not now; for If any
vindlcation of his conduct was needed it
was furnished by the appearance of these
resolutions in the house more than
month later for further consideration.
That demonstrated that somebody some
where had been of the opinion that
question of this Importance should not
be voted upon and passed while members
of the house were hurrying out of the
hall, hatted and coated, to their belated
dinner