Evening star., 1896-03-23
Senator Mills Joint Resolution for a
Free Government.
fHEUNITED STATES TG TAKE POSSESSION
That is, IF Spain Refuses to Give
the Is'and independence.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE


today after the exciting and fruitless sena-
torial contest before the Kentucky legislu-
ture was s:gnalized by an unusual demon
stration by his colleagues. On the Sena-
tors desk was the most mammoth and
elaborate floral design ever brought to the
Senate, rising twelve feet from the floor
ard overhanging the desks of Senator Wal
thall and Vest on either side. The main de-
sign represented the coat-of-arms of Ken
lucky, with two huge dolls clasping hands
as the central figures, around which were
worked the state motto: United we stand.
divided we fall" Above this was a large
horseshoe of la France and perle roses,
while below and around were great sheaTes
of oak leaves and lily of the valley. The
whole was topped with widespreading
branches of American beauty roses. The
tribute came from Mr.. Blackburn's sena-
toral associates. Several other large de-
signs were from personal friends.
An Abandoned Military Reservation.
In presenting petitions from Edward Ev
erett Hale, Julia Ward Howe, the faculties
of the Yale and Williams colleges and many
distinguished public men and scientists, Mr..
Gallinger of New Hampshire spoke in ad-
vocacy OF the philanthrop:c plan of remov-
ing consumptives to the Rocky Mountain
region and granting the abandoned Fort
Stanton military reservation, New Mexico,
for the uses of the project. Mr.. Gallinger
showed the heavy mortality from pull
monary diseases, and urged that the gov
ernment might well give that attention to
saving human life that it gave through
the bureau of animal industry to overcom-
ing pleuro-pneumonia in cattle.
Mr.. Blackburn entered the chamber short
ly after the session opened and was warm
1y greeted by his associates.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Lodge was
adopted. empowering the committee on
civil service to investigate and report en-
the administration of the civil service law
at the government printing office.
The Cuban Resolutions.
When Mr.. Sherman brought forward the
Cuban resolutions there was animated de-
bate as to securing final vote.
Mr.. Cullom, in charge Of the legislative
appropriation bill. said he could not give
way for an indefinite extension Of the
Cuban debate to the exclusion of appro-
priation bills.
Mr.. Sherman responded that the commit
tee desired vote, and he thought it re-
markable. with the war proceeding in
lily acted OF.
Mr.. Platt Comm said the trouble with
the resolutions was that three Senators
on the conference committee had thrown
aside the Senate resolutions and rad ac-
cepted the House resolutions.
And. l venture to say proceeded Mr.
Platt, that not five Senators approve the
House resolutions now before u.s..
The Senator suggested to Mr.. Sherman
and his associates that they recale from
their agreement to the House resolutions.
which Senators did not want and present
something more acceptable.
IF we had any assurance" said Mr.. Sher-
man, that the Senate would accept and dis
pose of the subject in another form, then
we would be quite willing to accept the sug-
gestion."
Mr.. Platt went on to say that he could
speak only for himself yet it must be ap-
parent that Senators did not wish to adopt
resolutions which were contradictory In
their terms. Il suggest to the chairman of
the committee" said Mr.. Hoar, rising and
addressing Mr.. Sherman, that he ask the
unanimous consent of the Senate to a dis
agreement to the conference report, thus
sending the subject back to the conference
committee"
But why not voter" insisted Mr.. Sher-
man.
Mr. Hoar said the whole subject could be
dealt with in two minutes if Mr. Sherman
would ask unanimous consent to recommit
the resolutions.
Will Move to Recommit.
Then,'' said Mr.. Sherman, decisively, II
will make the motion to test the question"
This colloquy proceeded out of order, as
Mr.. Palmer of Illinois had the floor for a
speech against the Cuban resolutions and
Insisted on going on.
He yielded, however, to allow Mr. Sher-
man to give the following formal notice:
now give notice that in order to ex-
to dispose of the question, ! will move to re-
commit the pending resolutions to the con-
ference committee
AS Mr.. Palmer had the floor, Mr. Sherman
could not secure immediate action on his
motion.
CfsnerOs' Proclamation.
Mr.. Palmer urged that there was no ne
cessity of unoffensive and contradictory
terms of the resolutions. They embraced
needless threat of Intervention, which, If
executed meant Intervention by war The
Senator spoke of the unorganized condi-
1lon OF the insurgents. This brought cut
protests from Mr.. Morgan and Nj. Call.
The former read the proclamation of Cis-
neros, president of the insurgents, together
with letter from Crosby S. Noyes of the
authenticity of the document. Mr.. Morgan
said he approved every word of that s,,len-
did appeal of Cisneros.
Mr.. Mills Joint Resolution.
Mr.. Mills offered joint resolution direct
ing the President to ask Spain to grant local
self-government to Cuba, and, in the case
of refusal by Spain to take possession of
Cuba, using the military and naval forces.
if necessary, and hold it until the Cuban
people organize self-government. Mr. Mills
said he would speak on the resolution to-
morrow. The resolution is as follows:
Be it resolved by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
America, IN Congress assembled, That the.
President of the United States is hereby
directed to request the government of Spain
to authorize the people of Cuba subject to
the sovereignty of Spain to institute such
local government as they may wish. and
invest it with such powers as they NAV
think necessary to secure to the people Of
Cuba the right of life, liberty and the pur-
suit Of happiness.
Section 2. In case Spain shall refuse TO
grant to the Inhabitants of Cuba the right
full power of local self-government, the
President of the United States is hereby
directed to take possession of the Island of
Cuba with the military and naval forces of
the United States, and hold the same until
the people of Cuba can organize a govern
nsent deriving its just powers from the con-
sent OF the governed, and arm and eouip
such military forces as may be necessary to
protect them from invasion.
The Resolutions to Recommft.
Mr.. George (Miss) spoke in opposition to
the resolutions. At 2 o'clock there was a
lull In the speeches, whereupon Mr. Sher-
man sought to secure vote on his resolu-
ton to recommft the resolutions to the con-
ference committee. He submitted the fol-
lowing, in writing:
Resolved, That the Senate insist upon fts
Continued on Second PageJ