The record-union., 1896-02-06
DOINGS TN CONGRESS.
4 Substitute Resolution Presented in the
Senate Relating to the War in Cuba.
Neutrality to be Maintained Between
the Contending Factions.

~AAOA AAC AtASNIICb III
Appropriation Bill Voted Down in
the House-The Result Secured
Amid the Most Exciting scenes.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The concur
rent resolution which the Senate For
eign Affairs Committee reported last
week, requesting the President of the
United States to use his influence with
the Government of Spain to recognize
the Cuban insurgents as belligerents,
was practically set aside to-day by a
substitute reported from the same com
mittee by Morgan of Alabama The
substitute recognizes a condition of
public war in Cuba, and declares that
the United States shall maintain a strict
neutrality between the contending Pow
ers and shall accord to each all the
rights of belligerents in the ports of the
United States. The resolution is on the
Fice-Presidents table and may be taken
up for action tomorrow.
The joint resolution directing the Sec
retary of Agriculture to carry into
effect the provisions of the agricultural
appropriation for the current fiscal
year, for the purchase and distribution
OF seeds and farmers bulletins, was
taken up and discussed during the
morning hours.
Vest (Dem) of Missouri made one of
his characteristic speeches in support
of the joint resolution, holding up the
Secretary Of Agriculture to ridicule in
connection with the said question and
with tho ,4x-,e oO,,1o Of
the free silver movement.
''The DEVIL, Vest said, "had owed
the Democratic. party a grudge. and had
paid it in a Secretary of Agriculture,
who had put the party in antagonism
to the great agricultural interests of
the country, which had heretofore been
particularly close to the Democratic
organization.
In conclusion, he gave a humorous
description Of Secretary Morton swing
ing his golden censer, filed with in
cense, at the executive mansion shout
ing, Holy, holy, art thou, Oh Grover.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords"
The joint resolution went over with
out action, and the rest of the day was
spent in the discussion of the resolution
to distribute the appropriation bills
among the several committees having
charge of the subject
During the morning hour when re-
ports of committees were called for
Morgan (Dem.) of Alabama reported
from the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions substitute for the concurrent
resolution reported from the same com
mittee on the 29th of January in rela-
ton to Cuba, as follows:
Resolved, BY the Senate, the House
of Representatives concurring, That
in the opinion of Congress, a condition
OF public war exists between the Gov
ernment Of Spain and the Government
proclaimed and for some time main
tanned by force of arms by the people Of
Cuba; and that the United States of
America should maintain a strict neu-
trality between the conIending Powers
and accord to each all the rights of bel
ligerents in the ports and territory of
the United States''
Call Oem) of Florida gave notice
that he would ask to have the resolution
taken up after the morning hour.
Quay's resolution to recommit to the
Finance Committee the House tariff bill
and the committees free coinage sub
stitute went over until tomorrow, the
Vice President ruling that the joint
resolution as to the distribution of
seeds had precedence. The last named
resolution was advocated by Vest
Dem) of Missouri, who, in the course
OF his remarks, spoke in strong terms of
criticism of the administration of the
Agricultural Department.
The most valuable results Vest as
serted, had come from the distribution
of seeds to farmers. Then he exclaimed
passionately: 1.-The Democratic party
has been most unfortunate, not only
in the dissensions that exist in it's own
ranks, but in the fact that-to use
Western phrase-the devil has owed
the party a grudge and has paid it in
a Secretary of Agriculture. 0aughter)
He has put the party to which he be-
longs in antagonism to the great agri-
cultural interests of the country which
has heretofore been particularly close
to the Democratic organization. The
founder of the Democratic party was
the best friend the agricultural inter-
ests ever had on this continent. Mr..
Jefferson, while Minister to France and
while watching that great drama of the
French revolution, while watching the
court of Versailles, feasting and dane
ing as the mob roared like wild beast,
found time, while corresponding with
the savants of Europe, to send seeds
and plants to this country"
Vest proceeded to point out other in
stances of Government extravaganza
which had escaped the attention of the
Secretary of Agriculture. instancing
the eleven millions of profit to the bond
syndicate, the enormous waste in pub
lie printing and the expenditure of
$4,000 in one year for orchids, lilies
cf the valleys and giant palms for the
White House.
"But," said Vest, when it comes to
the poor farmers seeds, the Secretary
cries To armsi To armsl Congress is
throwing away the peoples money and
is running the country. I would rather
give twice the amount of this appropria-
ton to some poor man in a distant
county in the West. who is fighting the
hard battle of life, unaided by any Gov
eminent, something that would make
his home comfortable and bring light
10 his fireside. l would rather put the
flower in the sick room of an over
worked girl or matron than have it
said that I voted $4,000 for flowers
and exotics for the receptions of the
officials of the Government. where the
chandelier flashes its light across the
red wine, and the air is fragrant with
perfume like the spicy breezes of Arabv
the blest Just such things as this
have caused the people of this country
to doubt whether this is a Government
Of the people and for the people. and to