The record-union., 1896-04-05
Yesterdays Session Of the House Entirely
Absorbed In Debate.
The Vote Expected to be Taken on
Them Monday Morning.
Adams, of Pennsylvania, Advocates the
ents-Gfllette Says Public Opinion
Should Not Decide the Matter
Bartlett Disclafms Any Con-
nectfOn With SuIzer's Use of the
Circular in the Bayard Debate.


Circular in the Bayard Debate.
WASHINGTON, April 4-The cause
of Cuba was the consideration to-day,
and SO many members desiring to speak,
it was arranged to hold a night session
in order to give them all an opportunity
to be heard and to take the vote imme-
diately after the reading Of the journal
Monday.
The House was not long in getting to
work on the Cuban business-the
morning-hour matters being disposed of
with great rapidity.
Hit of Illinois called up the confer
ence report on the Cuban resolutions,
and Adams (Rep) of Pennsylvania, one
of the members of the committee, took
the floor.
He denied that sentiment had changed
with respect to recognizing the belliger-
ency of the CubanS since the passage of
the original resolutions in the House.
He deprecated the attempt to create
race prejudice against Cubans and as
serted that all the leaders except Ma
Geo were whites, and not negroes and
mulattoes, as reported. He quoted from
the correspondence sent to Congress
some weeks ago to show that the best
class of Cubans had joined the insur
gents. Spain had not kept the promises
which she made to the Cubans after the
last rebellion closed, and this was the
cause of the present uprising.
He detailed at some length the rea-
sons why the Cubans were entitled
to a recognition of belligerent rights,
and explained in passing that their cap
itai was SO impregnable that the 5000
Spanish troops, but six miles distant,
had not attempted to capture it. The
Cubans, he insisted possessed all the re-
quisites for recognition. He quoted Off
cial authorities to show that Spain has
10000 regular troops, with an auxil-
iary force of 10000 Cuban volunteers,
and that they were opposed by 10000
insurgents, 10000 of whom were we'll
armed and equipped. Knowing this,
the Spanish forces had not gained foot
of territory, but had been driven back
to the very gates of Havana
Adams thought the time had now
come when something should be done,
and he believed that if recognition of
belligerency would help the Cubans the
House ought to adopt the pending res
olutions.
Adams, in conclusion, said Spain
would not conquer Cuba, and that that
country would join the ranks of those
nations whose Governments are dedi-
Gated to the highest and best interests
of man, where white and black had the
same civil and religious rights, which
were administered without domination
from any European Power. Applause)
Knox (Rep.) of Massachusetts said
that state of war did exist in Cuba;
that somewhere among the Businesses
Of the mountains of that island, the
ancient stronghold of liberty, there had
been established a Government founded
upon justice and equality of men and
that the Cuban army had made
marches, fought battles and endured
privations which had challenged the
admira ton of the world. The duty de-
yolved upon the United States, where
free Government had it's highest de-
velopment, to recognize the belliger-
ency of the Cuban insurgents, that they
might have their liberty and that they
might be as free as ourselves.
Gillette (Rep.) of Massachusetts, op-
posed the resolutions He admitted
that the overwhelming sentiment of the
House, as manifested by the vote of
several weeks ago, probably repre-
sented public opinion, but this matter
should not be decided by public opinion
for the reason that public opinion was
not the law and right of the case, but
considered 1t only as an expression of
sympathy with the Cubans. Granting
belligerency to the Cubans, he said, was
not function or prerogative of the
legislative power, but of the executive,
and the passage of the resolutions
would be an usurpation by Congress.
The motive behind the resolutions, Gill
lette said, the reason why the Cubans
desired their passage, was that they
would lead to a war between Spain
and the United States. Such a conflict,
in his opinion, was the only hope Of
Cuban independence, and that ex-
planned why the resolutions were here
AS to the second resolution, that
favoring friendly Intervention by the
United States, Gillette said it was use
less to hope for any good results to fol-
lew. Because of what has been said in
another body in debate on this subject,
the proud sensitiveness of Spain had
been wounded so that friendly inter-
vention on the part of the United
States was impossible
When Gillette had concluded, an eff
fort was made by Hit to secure an
agreement to close debate and take
vote to-day, but it was unsuccessful
A great majority of members present
wanted to vote at o'clock, but a num-
ber desired to speak and it was finally
arranged to debate the report the rest
of the day including a night session
and take vote on Monday immedi-
ately after the reading of the journal
Cockrell (Dem.) of Texas earnestly
advocated the cause of Cuba. If he had
the power. he would take Spain by the
throat. have her remove Weyler and
free Cuba and command her to keep
her hands off. (Applause)
Elliott (Dem.) of Virginia opposed
the resolutions on the ground that the
insurgents had not yet reached that
condition which would justify extend
ing belligerent rights to them.
Newlands tSilver) of Nevada advo-
Gated the adoption of the resolution.
AS to the election that the resolutions
should not be adopted because Spain
was friendly nation, he said nations
were not friendly toward each, other;
they were either at peace or war, but