The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-06-06
The Senate D.vOtes Another Day TO
Dilatory Dialogue.
MORGAN FOR THE PATRIOTS
A Session sehind Closed Doors
As to the Reorganization OF the
Northern Pacific and Other
Matters-in the House.

'eeihN Wcfe SHeiSu py Mitchell. repub-
lican. oregon. and Nelson. providing
that the new company shall be liable
for land treaties OF the old company.
also for injuries to persons and prop
critics.
Morgan asked for action on his reso-
luton requesting the president for In
formation as to the capture OF the
Competitor by a Spanish warship. and
the condemnation and sentence to
death Of United States citizens, and
whether any demand had been made
FOR the release OF citizens. The sena-
tor said while the case was one OF great
gravity, involving the unwarranted
condemnation to death Of American
citizens. yet no information except
through the press reports and rumors
had been received. The executive
branch had not given the slightest in
formation on the subject. Morgan read
the statutes requiring the president 10
make n demand for the release OF Am
erican citizens. He argued that II was
the duty OF the president. under the
constitution. to keep congress advised
on the state Of the union. and In par
ticular on foreign affairs. OF late the
courteous custom had arisen to adopt
RESOLUTIONS, making requests on the
president for Information. and II was
only Of late. Morgan said, that this
failure OF the executive to give inform
alton to congress had been shown.
Some question was raised by Sher-
man as to the proprlety OF Morgan
making public use OF the testimony of
Lawrence before the committee on for
eign relations. The Alabama senator
sl,4 .rx.1x x.Nxz Ias h.r ..hA ~.
no such concealment OF facts from the
country. Morgan said the testimony
OF Lawrence. who was present at the
Competitor trial at Havana. showed
gross Irregularities in the character OF
the proceedings And yet" declared
the senator. "the president has paid no
more attention to the subject than II
II had been the slaughter Of some poor
Morgan said he did not want to COM
NIT to the president the sole authority
to demand or withhold a demand for
the release of American citizens, and
J to recognize or withhold recosnftion OF
beiligerency.
Mills reminded Morgan that Law
rence's testimony had shown that
Americans on trial In Havana had not
understood any OF the proceedings
which were conducted In Spanish.
"Yes." Morgan continued. that tes-
timony OF Mr.. Lawrence shows the en-
tire trial was In the Spanish language
When an American prisoner was told
to stand up he said i did not under
stand what you have been saying. How
am l to answer your A brief eyplana-
tlon was made. Then the sentence was
pronounced on that American citizen" :"
The senator said occasional groans
and shrieks were heard from the
stricken country. telling OF the terrible
butchery going on there. He had re-
ceiyed letters from Cuba, some with
the seal broken. detailing the condl-
tions prevalent there. Before the SEN
ate adjourned 1t should know from
the president what the situation there
Is. and whether American citizens are
to meet death without a demand
Morgan said he had great respect for
the Office Of president. 1t was an Am
erlcan characteristic to be proud OF the
government But this was a govern
ment OF law. not OF provisional will.
The president is enjoined to execute
the law. The senate had requested In
formation OF the president and he re-
piled that Il was Incompatible with
public interest, although section 2OOl
OF the statutes provided that when a
demand was made for the release OF an
American "all facts relative thereto, as
soon as practicable. shall be commu-
nicated by the president to congress. ="
The senator declared that every day of
confinement Of American prisoners at
Havana was a day of dishonor. He
did not know what would come OF de-
lay and inaction. Possibly In the end
the Americans would be so humbled
as to sue Spain for pardon. But con-
gress. which was the sole war power.
should not leave without authoriz-
ing that power TO be used II necessary.
In the event these American prisoners
are not released and delivered to the
president" concluded Morgan. I'VE
should authorize him TO send ships Of
war to Cuba and make war sufficient
to secure their release"
As Morgan closed. sherman stated
the proceedings were OF such a charac-
ter as TO come within senate rule 30.
requiring secrecy. Thereupon the pre-
siding officer. Platt. directed the gal
leries to be cleared and the doors
closed.
The discussion behind closed doors
was devoted entirely TO the Cuban
question. and the greater part OF the
time was consumed by Senator Nor
gan in the continuation of his speech
In open session. Senators sherman
and Lodge made a brief explanation OF
their visit to the white house and
their conference with the president.
saying they had gone there as sub
committee OF the foreign relations
committee They expressed the opin-
ion as result Of the interview that
the executive was using all due vigil
lance in the protection OF the rights OF
American citizens. and said that, while
u might be well for congress to put
forth its opinion In regard 10 the sits-
alton In Cuba in the shape Of a joint
resolution. there was little probability
OF getting such a resolution through
without prolonging the debate, which.
In view OF the general desire for early
adjournment could not be had. Sena-
tors Turpie and Pasco made brief
speeches. The Morgan resolution went
to the calendar.
At / O'Clock the senate doors were
opened and Lodge moved 10 take up
the immigration bill. but before the
spectators had secured seats in the
galleries, another order 10 close the