The herald., 1896-06-06
The Cuban Question Discussed
in the Senate
MORGAN ASKS FOR ACTION
On His Request for Information Regard
ing American Citizens
Debate 10 Open Senate sad In Secret Session.
Fllibustsring on the Immigration Bill.
fisuss Proceedings
Associated Press Special Wire.

mentS TO the JOINT reSOlutlOn LOr Ieor-
ganization of the Northern Pacific were
offered by Senators Mitchell, Republi-
can Of Oregon, and Nelson, providing
the new company shall be liable on
the land treaties of the old company;
also for injuries to persons and proper
ties.
Morgan asked for action on his reso-
luton requesting the president for in
formation as to the capture Of the Com
petitor by q Spanish Warship. and con-
demnation to death Of United States
citizens; whether any demand had been
made for the release of the citizens.
The senator said while the case was
one Of great gravity. involving unwar-
ranted condemnation to death OF Amer
lean citizens. yet no information except
through the press reports and rumors
had been received. The executive
branch had not given the slightest infor-
nation on the subject.
Morgan read the statutes requiring the
president to make a demand for the re-
lease Of American citizens. He argued
1t was the duty of the president under
the constitution to keep congress ad-
vised on the state of the Union, and in
particular on foreign affairs.
Morgan said the testimony Of Law
renee, who was present at the Compe-
titor trials at Havana, showed the gross
ly irregular character of the proceedings.
And yet" declared the senator, "the
president has paid no more attention to
the subject than II 1t had been the
slaughter of some poor negro or mulatto
In the Cuban army"
Mills reminded Morgan that the Law
renee testimony had shown that Amer
leans on trial at Havana had not under
stood any Of the proceedings, which were
conducted in Spanish
YES" Morgan continued, "in that tes-
timony Mr.. Lawrence shows the entire
trial was in the Spanish language.
q 1nvin %~1.l
stand up he said: I do not understand
what you have been saying. How am
I to answer your A brief explanation
was made. Then sentence was pro-
nounced on that American citizen"
The senator declared that every day Of
Havana was a day of dishonor. He did
not know what would come of the delay
and inaction. Possibly in the end the
Americans would be SO humbled as to
sue Spain for pardon.
IF, In the event these American pris-
oners are not released and delivered to
tho. eccSdoa- -aiiu make war trIn1cYert-y6
secure their release"
AS Morgan closed Sherman stated the
proceedings were Of such a character as
10 come within senate rule 35, recurring
secrecy. Thereupon the presiding OF
ncer, Platt, directed the galleries to he
cleared and the doors closed
Inc discussion in the senate behind
ciosed doors was devoted entirely to the
cuban question and the greater pa ri ne
the time was consumed by Senator
morgan IN the continuation of his speech
IN open session. Messrs. Sherman and
Lodge made brief explanations of their
visit to the White House and their con-
ference with the president saving thew
had gone there as a sub-coInmitfea ~
the foreign relations committee They
expressed the opinion as a result Of tha
interview that the executive was using
an due vigilance in the protection of the
rights of American citizens. and So "a t,,ot
while 1t might be we'll for congress to
put forth its opinion in regard to the
situation in Cuba in the shape of a Joint
resolution, there was little probability
D OF getting such a resolution through
Wltnous proionging debate, which, in
Journment, could not be had.
senator Morgan's remarks were upon
the lines he had followed in open SEN
ate. He said that entirely too much
commence was reposed in the executive
IN this matter, that whatever was done
should be done with the concurrence
and cooperation of congress, and inti-
mated that for congress to adjourn with
out taxing some action for the protection
OF our own people in Cuba, would be to
shirk most solemn duty He said the
object of his measure was to secure the
rights OF Americans; that the refusal of
the president to furnish information as
to what had been done in connection with
the Competitor affair, left congress de-
for information.
Senators Turpie and Pascoe made
brief speeches. The Morgan resolution
went to the calendar
AT o'clock the senate doors were open-
ed and Mr.. Lodge moved to take nm tha
immigration bill. but before the specta-
tors had secured their seats in the GAL l
lerteS another order to close the doors
was made, Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Harris pro-
testing against taking Mr.. Morgan from
the floor.
At 1:15 the session was resumed and
Mr.. Lodge moved to take up the immi- |
grafton bill. On a yea and nav vote
many senators refrained from voting,
breaking quorum The vote was 23 to
3, or IA short OF quorum. call of the /!
senate disclosed 46 senators, more than |
9 quorum. making 1t evident that a |
filibuster was in progress.
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Harris urged that the |
bill should not be pressed in the absence |
Of Mr.. Gibson Of MARYLAND, who has
taken leading part in opposing the |
bill. Mr.. Lodge said Mr.. Gibson was per-
fectly aware that the bill would come up |
and II 1t was to be considered at this ses- |
sion 1t must be done at once.
After an explanation by Mr.. Lodge !
not urge 1t at once, the obstruction was
withdrawn and the immigration bill
was taken up and made the unfinished
business without division.
Mr.. Morgan offered an amendment
that proposed restrictions on immigra-
tfon should not apply to persons "arriv-
Ing from the island of Cuba"
Having secured the right Of way for
the immigration bill. Mr.. Lodge agreed
to permit 1t to be laid aside temporarily
and Mr.. Mitchell. Republican, Of Oregon,
spoke on his resolution for the election of
senator's by votNof the people.
Mr.. Perkins Of California declared
the people he represented had manifest
ed their opinion on the question in no
uncertain way BY vote of $4,000
against 1S 900 theyha shown how strong
was their belief that the election of
United states senators should be by
popular ballot It is urged that state
conventions might make as bad selec-
tons az legislatures, but to this the re-
PLY might be made that the people when
the election came of would surely cor.
rect their mistake. Another strong ar