The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-03-18
Congressional Proceedings.

WEDNESDAY, March 1.-THE resolution
previously offered by Mr.. Hoar of Massa-
chusetts to postpone till Monday, April 6,
the conference report on the Cuban reSOlu-
tions, was laid before the senate and Mr..
Hoar spoke in favor of it. He said that the
question of belligerency was a question of
fact, and it was reasonable that the usual
precautions should be taken. The senate
should have before it the finding of facts by
the proper committee charged with its in
vestigation. This subject was discussed in
the committee for several days and was
then brought into the senate without any
report, but accompanied by speech from
Senator Morgan, who laid his sword on the
table and asked Spain to take it up, and de-
clared his belief in the power of congress,
without the president, to grant belligerent
rights. The other speech, that of Mr. Sher-
man, contained quotations from a work that
was repudiated Upon these statements,
and without any presentation OF facts, con-
gress was asked to act. Mr.. Hoar said he
did not believe the alleged facts before the
senate were sufficient to override the great
American authorities on international law.
The senate was asked to put the seal of its
condemnation on the doctrine of Lincoln
and Seward and, later, the doctrine of
Grant. Congress did not dare to tell Spain
that we recognized the belligerents and
proposed to take the consequences. -
The house went into committee Of the
whole to further consider the post-office ap-
preparation bill. Mr.. Quigg of New York
moved to reduce the appropriation for pay
of inspectors from $212,000 to $4,000, so
as to cut off the appointment of thirty two
additional inspectors, which the committee
intended the post-office department to have.
In support of the amendment Mr. Quigg
made aspeech, characterizing the spy system
as pursued by the department in the past two
years, as shame and a disgrace. Mr..
Cummings Of New York made vigorous
speech against the spy system and the pol
icy of the post-office department. Mr.
Quigg's amendment was adopted, 1872 to g
No further amendments of Importance were
proposed and the bill was passed.
THURsDAY.-Mr. Hill of New York ad-
dressed the senate on the conference report
on the Cuban belligerency resolution. He
said he should not vote to concur in the
conference report because he objected to
the terms of the third resolution, and his
objection was based only upon that particu-
lar resolution. He should vote against con-
curing because he wanted to place the
resolutions in such parliamentary shape
that the third resolution, reading: 1.-THE
United States has not interviewed in any Of
the struggles between European govern
ments and their colonies on this continent, !"
could be amended and made more clear. All
depended upon what Interpretation was put
upon the word interviewed" We had
recognized insurgents in the past, and that,
Mr. Hill contended, was Intervention OF a
certain kind. The resolution was unneces-
sary. If we mean that we have not inter
vened with force of arms to assist any one
that should be stated; but that, Mr.. Hill
said, was also unnecessary. Mr.. Hill
secuted the idea that the administration is
embarrassed by these resolutions, and
closed by saying: The establishment Of
republics was in line with the progress of
civilization. Cuba wanted to join the pro-
cession of republics, and enjoy liberty and
freedom. God grant that she succeed,
but whether she secure it or not let us do
our duty" Senator Morrill, re-introduced
the bill advocated by him in the last con.
gress authorizing the purchase of site for a
Supreme Court building. The location
designated corresponds with the Library
building of which our senior senator is also
the father, fronting on the Capital grounds
and bounded by the First Capitol and First,
Second and b streets. Senator Morrill, has
worked for this building for years, and
hopes his cherished plans will be acted
upon favorably during this congress. -
The house devoted several hours to dis
cussing the contested election cases from
Alabama and Louisiana. While the Ala
bama case was up the house, being in COM
mittee OF the whole, Speaker Reed called
Mr.. Grout OF Vermont to the chair while he
took hand in the debate.