The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-16
Senator Morgan States His
Views On Cuban Affairs.
American Interests Must Be
Fully Protected.


QueStlOH was given IlfSl place on tne
senate program yesterday. and Senator
Morgan OF the committee on foreign re-
lations, well-known for his positive
Views was the star who filled the gal
ieries to their utmost capacity.
The senator. however made no at
tempt at being dramatic but in careful,
we'll chosen words pointed out the hor-
rors of the situation in Cuba and the
duty of the government in the premises.
Every word he uttered left no doubt
regarding It's meaning or the views OF
the speaker. 1t was a mastery speech,
and met with the full sympathy of the
senate.
Mr.. Morgan spoke freely OF the pos
sibilities of war, welcoming II il neces-
sary to guarantee the protection OF
American citizens. lie asserted that
Spain's bankruptcy would prevent the
collection OF any indemnity for wrongs.
The senator questioned the wisdom of
the presidents position that the grant
ing Of belligerent rights would be un-
timely" Mr.. Morgan's view on the
line of action which should be adopted
was summed up in the following:
although 1 believe that belligerent
rights should be accorded the Cubans,
inasmuch as the president prefers a
more coercive policy and warns Spain
that the time is near at hand for de-
cisive action, will support him in any
movement that will save our people OF
that island from further outrage. will
not obstruct his course with questions Of
propriety, but will follow the colors
when planted by the president on the
advanced ground that the concession OF
belligerent rights has become "un-
timely" and that our duty now demands
active Intervention. If that crumbles
away / will again fall back to the posi-
ton that just care for our own people
requires us TO declare an armed neu-
trality, ready to assail either belliger-
ent that inficts wrongs on our own peo-
pie. If the president should say: The
time has arrived, the hour has struck,
would any American be so base as not
to hold up his hands while the battle is
raging?"
At the close of Mr.. Morgan's speech
| his resolution was adopted, requesting
the secretary of state for papers and in
! formation relative to the Competitors
! prisoners and other American citizens
held in Cuba by the Spanish authorities.
Mr.. Morgan's resolution was as fol-
| lows:
Resolved, That the president is re-
quested, If 1t is not in his opinion incom-
patible with the public service, to send
to the senate copies Of the papers re-
lating to the condition of affairs in the
Island of Cuba, which are referred to
in the report of the secretary of state,
that accompanies his last annual mes
sage, as papers collected in the annual
nj of
the United States"
And also, a statement of the several
amounts of the claims lodged In the de-
partment by citizens of the United States
| against Spain, growing out of the alleged
I insurrection now existing in the Island
| of Cuba.
And also, all correspondence with the
Spanish government relating TO the ves-
| sci called the Competitor and the per-.
sons captured with or near that vessel; /;
with statement of the charges pending
| In any court in Spain or Cuba against
said persons and the proceedings of such
court in those cases; and the place of
their imprisonment the character of
their treatment while in prison, and the
condition of their health; whether said
prisoners have had the privilege Of coun-
sci of their own selection in any trial
that has taken place on such charges,
or were represented by any consul, at
torney or other agent of the United
States.
The question of passing the bill grant
ing Nancy Allabach pension, the veto
Of the president notwithstanding, oc-
casioned considerable debate. Mr.. Cock
rell expressed surprise that Mr.. Palmer
of Illinois should be in charge Of a move
ment to override the president. The
Illinois senator answered that he
directed his course as a senator, with
out reference to the president. The bill
was finally passed over the veto; yeas,
Il; nays, IL.
Early in the day Mr.. Allen introduced
a resolution for the appointment OF a
committee Of nine senators to investi-
gate the extent to which money was
used In the recent presidential election.
The house yesterday entered upon the
consideration Of the Loud bill to amend
the law relating to the transmission Of
second class mail matter The bill has
been widely discussed in the public press
and has met with most intense oppoa-
tion from certain quarters. 1t denies
the right of serial novels to admission
to the mails at the newspaper per pound
rates, denies to newspapers the sample
copy privilege. prohibits the return of
unsold publications at pound rates and
HldkcS SOf1e OJHeT CndnBeS In the pres
ent law designed to correct existing
abuses.
A change In the second class mail mat
ter law has been repeatedly urged by
successive postmaster generals. II was
estimated that the abuses Of the law had
cost the government $240, ,000, 900 in the
last 10 years.
Mr.. Loud (Cal.), the author OF the
measure. brought II forward yesterday
quite unexpectedly TO q majority Of the
members Of the house. The opposition,
le&d by Mr.. Quigg IN. ~, inaugurated
a fllibuster. and attempted to prevent
its consideration by adjourning, but the
house stood by Mr.. Loud for two votes,
defeating the opposition-134 to 102, and
141 to 83.
The opposition, however. are hopeful
Of defeating the measure when IL is put
on its final passage. Mr.. Loud made an
opening speech on the measure during
which he declared that the bill would
save the government $40, 900. 600 annually.
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