The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-05
MORGAN MOVES.
Demands Action on Com
petitOr Resolution
For Information Relative to
Americans Captured.
Appointments and Removals Are
Talked of In The House.

WASHINGTON, June 5.-Amendments
to the joint resolution for the reorganiza-
tion OF the Northern Pacific were offered
in the Senate today by Mr.. Mitchell
(Rep., ,Ore.) and Mr.. Nelson Rep, Mimi }
providing that the new company shall be
liable on the land warrants OF the old
company aud also for injuries to persons
and properties.
Mr.. Morgan (Dem., Ala asked for ac-
tion on his resolution requesting the
President for Information as TO the cap
ture OF the Competitor by Spanish war
ship and the condemnation 10 death OF
United States citizens; whether any de-
mand has been made for the release OF
the United States citizens.
The Senator said that while the case
was one OF great gravity, involving the
unwarranted condemnation to death OF
American citizens, yet no information
was available except through press re-
ports and rumors. The executive branch
had not given the slightest information
on the subject. Mr.. Morgan read the stat
utes requiring the President TO make
demand for the release OF an American
citizen, He argued that IL was the duty
OF the President under the Constitution
to keep Congress advised on the state OF
the union and in particular on foreign
affairs. Or late.a courteous custom had
arisen to adopt resolutions making re-
quests on the President for information,
bat this did not relieve the President
from the duty of giving full information.
And IL WAS only OF late days, Mr.. Morgen
said, that this failure of the executive to
give information to Congress had grown
up.
When some question was raised by Mr..
Sherman as to the propriety OF Mr.. Nor
gan's making public use OF the testimony
of MIR. Lawrence before the committee
on foreign relations, the Ala Senator
sharply rejoined that there should be no
such conceaIment and hiding OF facts
from the country.
Mr.. Morgan said the testimony of Mr..
Lawrence, who was present at the Com
petitor trials at Havana, showed the
grossly, y,irreguiar character of the proceed
ing. "And yet," declared the Senator,
"the President pays no more attention to
the subject than though il had been the
slaughter OF some poor. negro or mulatto
in the Cuban army"
Mr.. Morgan said that he did not want
Congress 10 leave Washington, thus COM
mitting to the President the whole au-
tbority TO demand or withhold n demand
for the release of American citizens; to
recognize or withhold recognition OF bel
ligerency. Every day OF The confinement
OF the American prisoners at Havana, he
declared is day OF American dishonor.
"In the event that those American
prisoners are not released and delivered
TO the President" concluded Mr.. Nor
gan, eve should authorize him to send
ships of war to Cuba and make war
sufficient TO secure their release"
: As Mr.. Morgan closed Mr.. Sherman rose
quickly and stated that the proceedings
were OF such character as to come with
In Senate rule 50, requiring secrecy.
Thereupon the presiding officer, Mr..
Plat., directed the galleries to be cleared
and the doors closed. Rule 80 covering
business requiring secrecy, is seldom in
voked, being different from the rule gov
erning ordinary exec utive sessions.
At i o'clock the Senate doors were
opened, tut before the spectators had Sc
cured their seats in the galleries, another
order to close the doors was made.
: When the doors opened a number of
Senators were on their feet. Mr. Morgan
had been making speech during the
secret session, but at O'Clock, with the
usual morning hour closed, Mr.. Lodge
moved TO take up the immigration bill.
controversy occurred over he propriety OF
taking Mr.. Morgan fr lm the floor. Mr.
Hill asked to go back 10 secret session.
Mr.. Harris asked unanimous consent that
Mr.. Morgan be iven tue floor, and this
was earnestly seconded, by Mr. morrill,.
Thereupon the doors were again closed.
At 1;l5 p. m, the open session was re-
sumed and Mr.. Lodge moved to take up
the immigration bill. On yea and nay
vote, many Senators refrained from vot-
ing breaking quorum, The vote was
% 10 8, or IA short of quorum.
A call OF the senate disclosed 4S Sena-