Evening star., 1896-12-15
The Alabama Senator's Speech on
the Situation.
HUMILIAFING STATE OF GOVERNMENT
The People Demand Some Action
Should Be Taken.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE

ana on the Whoie people.
In the absence of the Vice President, Mr..
Frye occupied the chair.
Mr.. Hale (MeD presented the report of
the appropriation committee on the pension
appropriation bill. and gave notice that he
would call it up tomorrow.
The House concurrent resolution for a
January was reported favorably and
agreed to-
Mr.. Morgan (AIa) presented the creden-
tials of Edmund Winston Pettus as a Sen
ator from Alabama for the term beginning
March next. to succeed Mr. Pugh.
Money In Elections
Something of stir was occasioned when
Mr. Allen CNeb.) offered a resolution for
committee of nine Senators ''on the use OF
money in elections" The resolution dir>cts
that the committee shall thoroughly in
vestigate the extent to which money, If
any. was used in connection with the re-
cent presidential election. either in pro-
noting the nominations or in influencing in
any manner the choice of presidential cleo
tors. and to inquire whether any such ex-
pendltures were excessive. iileg:timate, cor
rupt or unlawful. and especially 10 in
qulre ana ascertain to what extent for such
purposes the owners of silver mines gold
mines, the bankers, the manufacturers the
railroad or other corporations and million
aires OF all classes made contributions and
Wnat contributions. if any were made nv
persons and corporations residing abroad
Inc resolution further empowers the pro-
posed committee TO send for persons and
papers. and directs a report by the first
Monday of December. 1897.
Mr. Allen made no remarks on tho raso
luton. but sent to the clerks desk and had
ieau several newspaper clippings contain
ing charges OF irregularity IN connection
with the recent election The resolution
was then referred to the committee on con-
IL
that he earnestly desired a speedy report
back TO the Senate.
MI Dingley came on the floor during the
transaction of morning business and con-
ferred for some time with Mr. Aldrich
Or. II
The bill validating certain New Nexi.o
ponas was taken up. the House amend
ments agreed to. and the Senate amend
ments disagreed to, so that the bill now
goes to the President.
Mr.. Palmer Ill) called I'D one of the pen-
sion bills, heretofore vetoed by the Presi-
dent. hut yielded TO Mr.. Morgan for a
speech on Cuba
Mr. Morgan on Cuba.
Mr.. Morgan said: Il will conf1ne my re-
marks to comments upon the facts stated
in the recent annual message of the Presi-
dent and the report of the Secretary of
State. l am not able 10 discover that the
President has made any specific recon-
mendations or indication as TO any action
he deems it proper or expedient for Con-
gress to take with reference to Spain or
Cuba; nor that he has indicated any course
except still patient waiting. that the ex-
ecutive proposes to take. Congress, thus
left TO its own initiative must assume its
own responsibility in matter of the most
serious gravity
Congress must give to the statements
of the President unhesitating acceptance
as to the matters that were committed by
the Constitution to his especial charge.
When he undertakes to state the facts that
affect our relations with other powers we
must accept those facts, unless the disproof
of them is oyerpowering-
This message is therefore of the most
impressive Importance, as Il statement of
the leading facts and conclusions that hear
upon our duties in respect to the conflict
of arms which has ragged for over two
years in the Island of Cuba. and it has the
support OF nearly all American belief /
have not heard that Spain controverts any
statement OF the President in his message.
The evidence that comes from private
sources relative to the condition of Cuba
and the horrors of persecution, rapine and
determination visited upon the people of
Cuba. admits of no doubt as to its credi-
bility. let 1t presents pictures so incredi-
bly, inhuman and so disgraceful to the civil
lization of this age that II stunS the mind
into disbelief that such things can be true"
AS Mr.. Morgan spoke the galleries filled
and his words were followed with close at
tention by the Senators and the large
IL mbef of spectators.
Mr.. Morgan went on to speak OF the
trying situation which requires prompt ac-
ton to save thousands of innocent people
from cruel and deliberate butcnery. The
wholesale massacre of Spain was no sur
Prise TO the Senator. who had anticipated
II War is Necessary.
IF war with the United States Is neces-
sary to reconcile the Spanish people to the
lr5 Of
Mr.. Morgan. we snail be compelled to
meet that emergency.
IF the destruction of Cuba is enough to
satisfy the popular sentimen; of revenge
We can avoid a war with Spain by remain
ing inactive. while our own people are
being ruined or slaughtered along with
the CubaHs. II We take any action toward
stopping this war of annihil2tion and cx-
termination we have no time TO lose
Mr.. Morgan spoke of the resolution of
Congress at the last session This eft to
the President the choice of concurring With
the policy of Congress or delaying. He
cfose delay The war has continued until
IL has reached the final and desperate
stage OF war of devastation and extermi-
Hation. with the people o. Cuba as a prey
10 those who have set aside :he usual hon
orable usages of warfare "and have be-
cCme robbers. cut-throats, dsSasSins, raw
iShers and pirates"
All OF these crimes, Mr.. Morgan declared
would be found to have been au:hentically
stated TO our government. when the seal
OF secrecy is broken and they are brought
10 the knowledge of the world for the
vindication of our course 'if we are forced
10 war to put an end to this 5aturnalia CT
blood and fire.
Inaetfon of the President Regretted
Congress has reason to regret the mac
tion of the President. A firm declaration
That the conflict in Cuba had reached the
stage of open. public war. would have ad-
morished Spain that the UnItci States at
least would hold her accountable for the
observance OF the rules of civilized war
fare
The Senator spoke bitterly of the interfer-
ence OF supposed business interests to
prevent the government from ending the
horrid and brutal purpose of infuriated
men
Mr. Morgan spoke of the necessity for
protecting cur citizens abroad. Referring
10 turkey, he expressed the hope that the
policy OF this government should not be re-
ldhed. and We would not much longer hear
OF these Turkish offenses against hu-
nlanity.
The Senator asserted that our peoDie in
Cuba have rights under the laws of nations
which the courts OF all nations will enforce
IN despite of the opposition even OF the
President of the United States IL he should
hen 10 "A