Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-03-19
OUR LAWMAKERS AT WORK

ban question, filled the galleries and they were
not disappointed. Mr.. Lodge, OF Massaehn.
sets. arose TO question OF personal privilege
and In vigorous words rebuked the Spanish
minister. Senior de LONE. for his recent criti-
j cisms OF Senators. Mr.. Teller added his opn
| ion that q repetition OF the minister's action
should be followed by his dismissal Senators
| Gray and Hale maintained that senatorial
privileges and prerogatives had been strained
/ TO close the mouth OF the Spanish minister Mr.
Lodge did not press Tor any definite action
| Mr.. Chandler expressed the opinion that there
was entirely too much attempt at outside IN
| reference or advice, He referred 10 the cabled
utterances OF Minister Castillo and the presi-
dent OF the council or Spanish ministers. Mr.
i Hale then took the floor. He was not prepared
| he said, to yield one Jot from the position he
had taken, and expressed satisfaction that he
| had been able TO obtain from an official source
| such a temperate reply To the initammatory
utterances against spain. which were
without any oticial foundation whatever
| Another exciting incident occurred when Mr.
Hoar's resolution. providing that the Cuban
question 90 over until April next. was laid
before the Senate Mr. Hoar asked that 1t 20
over as he was in poor health and did not feel
able TO speak on the resolution. Mr.. sherman
was quickly on his feet, his face showing much
feeling and his voice great earnestness. II
shall object to that resolution at all stages
regard IL as "a reflection on the committee on
foreign relations. After more than month OF
discussion. after overwhelming votes In both
branches of congress. this resolution is brought
here sending the subject back To the committee
on foreign relations / will most decidedly OBJ
Ject. lntfe was "a snap 10 the WOruS or Mr.
sherman which left no doubt OF their earnest
ness. The two venerable Senators, Mr.
sherman ana Mr.. Hoar, stood side
the colioquy proceeded at short range
The resolution finally went over. The Dupont
contest was then taken up, and Mr.. Turpie re-
sumed his speech against the claims OF Mr.
Dupont. but had not concluded when the Sem
ate adjourned. HoUsE-The postoffice appro-
priatlan bill occupied the most OF the day.
bill was passed making a years continuous
| residence a III
tanning divorce IN such territory. The bill
was aimed at Oklahoma territory, where but 30
days residence is required LAS n result "
said the report on the bill cases are not in
vestigated as their. Importance demands
Scandal and immortality result The bill VIII
abolish these temporary divorce colonies
and establish in the territories u safeguard
found necessary In nearly all the states. -"
SENATE. -Seventy-s day-The Cuban
debate has advanced 10 the stage or one OF the
great debates of the American congress, and
the speech of Mr.. Hoar was another eventful
feature of the discussion and was notable IN
setting forth the conservative view OF the sub
ject and urging "a postponement OF action until
April u. This developed many sharp cOntrov-
ersies with Mr. sherman and other Senators.
In the main the speech was plea for calm
dignified ard judicial action instead OF the ex.
element and disorder OF the mob and the inn
FASHIONED speech OF orators. Mr.. Hoar char
acteri2ed his colleague Mr.. Sherman. as one OF
the great statesmen OF the country, and he be-
sought the Ohio Senator not to obliterate
his brilliant record by hasty and un-
guarded action on the Cuban question
Mr.. Hoar did not contne himself to Cuba, but
spoke against congressional meddling IN any
foreign negotiation. In this connection he
paid glowing tribute to Secretary Oney,
while differing with him politically. aud added
tribute 10 the sincerity OF President Cleve-
land In dealing with the Venezuelan question.
and declared that any action by Congress at
lacking the Presidents course would be an at
tack on America Mr. Hoars resolution for
postponement went TO the calendar, Mr.. Sher-
man announced that from this time forward he
would press the privileged question-the con-
ference report accepting the House Cuban res
olutions Mr. Allen, Pop, Neb., offered JOINT
resolution authorizing and re luesting the Pres
iuent TO make II rigid and thorough investiga-
ton into the present state of wa in Cuba.
whether II is being conducted IN accordance
with the rules OF civilized warfare, whether eX-
treme cruelties are being practiced by either
side. particularly toward non-combatants and
lppropriating 10000 to be Immediately avaia-
BILE for the investigation. The resolution
went TO the committee on foreign relations.
HoUsE.-The postoffice appropriation bill was
passed. Attempts were made to Kill the APP
riers, and the appropriation OF $4,000 for
special mail facilities from Boston 10 New
Orleans, but TO no purpose.
E-Seventy-seventh day-A bill TO in
corporate the maritime canal OF North Amer
lea, TO connect the Hudson river and the Great
lakes. was introduced in the Senate by Mr.
nsbrough, OF North Dakota. The system
includes canals from the head OF tide water
navigation on the Hudson to Lake Champlaln;
from the head OF Lake ST. Francis to the ST.
Lawrence river above Long Sault Rapids: from
Lewiston on the Niagara river TO point on
the river above the falls. and authority to
deepen and widen the Champlain and Hudson
canals is asked. The channels are to be 20 feet
deep, TO permit two OF the largest vessels
drawing 70 feet TO pass and the locks are to
admit vessels $50 feet long and ID WIDE. The
canal is TO be under the control OF the inter-
state commerce commission. Senators Sher-
man and Hill were the conspicuous figures in
the Cuban debate. The latter forcibly arguing
against the mercenarv character OF the pend
ing resolutions while Mr.. Sherman upheld
them with another graphic arrangement OF
Spain and Gen. Weyler. 1t was the fourth day
of the debate on the conference report. and yet
there was no evidence OF a near approach TO "a
final vote. The galleries continue to be
crowded, and showed no dininution OF public
interest. Mr.. Hits opposition TO the resolu-
tons was confined To that feature which ex-
pressed the purpose OF the United States to In
tervene to protect the legitimate interests OF
the United states This the Senator declared
was an ignoble and contemplate attitude. IL
was placing the cause of human liberty and
patriotism on very low plane, and he urged
that the resolutions be defeated in order that
they might be amended and the mercenary
features eliminated HoUsE-The Coleman
IS OK contested election case from Louisiana
was decided in favor OF the latter who L.
Democrat. The Aldrlch- Robbins contest from
Alabama was taken up and the evidence pre-
sented revealed some startling frauds; The
sin, presented the bill for the ship canal from
the lakes To the Atlantic, via Lake Champlain
and the Hudson river.
SENATE-Seventy-e eighth day-The excite
ment of the Cuban debate gave way 10 Mr..
Cockrell's elaborate speech, occupying four
hours on the financial question There was
spirited reference to Cuba early in the day,
when II developed, during an explanation by
Mr.. Lodge that the committee on foreign rela-
tons had received from Secretary Olney
statement by Senior de LONE. the Spanish
m fStn ~ hn ish tsfn nf no.
This brought out very animated suggestions
from Mr.. Hoar and Mr.. Walcott that the Sem
ate be put into possession OF this important
testimony HoUsE-By vote OF I73 TO 80 the
House unseated G.. A. Rob bins from the Fourth
Alabama district and decided that his Repub-
lican opponent w. Il. Aldrich. was elected and
entitled TO the seat. Bills were passed re-
curing officers OF American steamers to be cit
liens OF the United States and repeating the
laws exempting from tonnage duties vessels
from countries which extended similar exemp-
tions TO our vessels.
SENATE-Seventy-nint day-The spirited
Cuban debate was continued after the early
part OF the day had been given TO set speeches
by Mr.. Lodge on immigration and Mr.. Pugh on
silver. The Cuban discussion was mainly inn
portant in bringing out the full reading OF q
statement OF the spanish side OF the case by
Senior Dupuy de LONE. the Spanish minister.
IL claimed to detail the insignificant methods
OF guerrilla warfare. the burning OF canenelds
and the disorguntZed character OF the bands.
Mr. Morgan commented severely on the minis
ter's statement. The Senator had several
sharp controversies with Mr. Hale over var
ious phases Of the Cuban question HOUSE,
Several bills were passed: Among the impOrt-
mt NJ. .g.t.