The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-03-04
Congressional Proceedings.

"WEDNESDAY, February 26.-In the senate
the army appropriation bill was reported
and placed on the calendar. Mr.. Cameron
of Pennsylvania presented the petition of
the Glass Blowers Association of the
United States and Canada, urging the re-
enactment of the free coinage la VS. at the
ratio of 16 to l. Mr.. Allen of Nebraska
offered substitute for the pending Cuban
resolution. 1t authorizes the president to
issue proclamation recognizing the indie
pendence of the republic Of Cuba. He asked
that the resolution lie on the table. Mr..
Allen referred to the vote of Tuesday on
taking up the tariff bill and the statement
made by Mr.. Morrill, and others that the
tariff bill was dead, and stated that while
he did not believe in the policy set forth in
that bill, yet, if the republicans could unite
upon it and would couple with it an ameud-
ment providing for the free coinage OF sill
ver-not a substtute-the populist party in
the senate would help pass it. The populists
in the senate now said TO the protectionist
republicans: :" We will swallow your meas
ure of protection (the house tariff bilD,
which is nause eating, which is unjust, if you
give to the people of the country more
sound money with which to pay the in
creased taxation" Mr.. Hale Of Maine lin
troduced bill for the appoint ment of Cen
eral o. o. Howard as acknowledgement on
the retired list - In the house the
election contest WAS continued. Mr.. Tars-
ney, one of the contestants, made a long
speech in support of the recommendation of
the minority, that recount be made OF the
ballot in the precincts where fraud was al
legged to have been committed, in order that
the house might have all the testimony
available in making up its Judgment He
admitted that fraud had been committed in
the election, but asserted that it was not
procured by him, nor was it intended by
those who committed it that he should be
benefited as result. The adoption of the
minority report was urged by Mr.. Jackson
of New Jersey and Mr.. Powers OF Vermont.
On being Intercepted as to whether or not
he had real the evidence in the case, Mr..
Powers replied: 81 have read enough to
know that you and the majority of the COM
mittee are all astray in the way you are pro-
ceeding. You have stopped just short OF
the facts in the case" Pending final dis
position Of the case the house adjourned.
THURsDAY.-In the senate a resolution
was reported from the committee on con-
tingent expenses authorizing the commit
tee on coast defences to take testimony and
to visit such places as may be necessary.
This provision was objected to by Mr.. Cock
rell of Missouri on the ground that it would
give rowing commission to the committee
on coast defences. The chairman of that
committee, however, Mr.. Squire OF Wash
ington, said that the committee might de-
sire to examine the defences of New York
city and he was willing to have that limi-
tation put in the resolution. The resolu-
ton was amended in that way and was
agreed TO. The Cuban belligerency resolu-
ton was again taken up and discussed.
The senate agreed to vote on the same on
Friday. Senator Proctor addressed the sem
ate at length upon the subject of coast de-
fences. He urged the need OF stronger
coast defences and pointed out the mistaken
policy of the government in depending on
navy for defence. The fact that he was at
one time secretary of war added greatly to
the interest attached to his remarks.
Among those noticed as giving the closest
attention were Senators Morrill,, Hale,
Quay, Davis and Cockrell. Representative
Grout was seen on the floor of the senate
where he could give the remarks OF the SEN
ator close attention. - In the house
Mr.. Hitt OF Illinois reported from the COM
mittee on foreign affairs series OF concur
rent resolutions as substitute for the sew
eral propositions and petitions referred to
that committee on the subject of the Cuban
revolution. They recite that, in the opin-
ion of congress, state OF public war exists
in Cuba, the parties to which are entitled to
recognition as belligerents, and between
which the United States should maintain
an attitude of neutrality; that congress de-
plores the destruction of property in Cuba
consequent upon the continuance of the
war; that Cuba should have government
of the choice of its people, and that it is the
sense of congress that the government OF
the United States should use its good offices
and friendly influence to bring this about
that, because of the close proximity OF Cuba
the war entails such loss upon American
interests as to demand protection OF them,
and that this government should intervene
II necessary; and pledging the support OF
congress to the president in carrying out
these resolutions. The reading OF these
resolutions was greeted with prolonged ap-
plause.