The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-09
SENATE PROCEEDINGs.

Washington, April LIN the senate to-
day Mr.. Butler Pop.) of North Carolina
introduced bill requiring the ACCEPT
ance of current legal tender funds In
payment of notes. bonds or private OBJ
legations. The senator explained that
the purpose of the measure was to put
a stop to gold notes, gold mortgages, ETC.,
which were being wrung from the peo-
pie, owing to their dire financial distress.
Does this propose to affect existing
contracts?" asked Mr.. Hill.
'It does not" responded Mr.. Butler.
~ do not believe in breaking contracts
The bill was referred to the finance
committee.
Mr. Call of Florida offered a resolution
| directing an inquiry by the committee
on public lands into the patenting of UNI
surveyed lands in Florida, asserting that
there was much irregularity on the part
of the interior department as to the
lands and that foreign corporations were
| absorbing them.
His colleague, Mr.. Pasco, was opposed
| to giving the committee directions to in
vestigate and moved to refer the resolu-
ton to the committee without direction
and on appeal by the two. senators for
support, the previous motion was car
red-29 to 20.
| AT lnlS DOllt WI. Oui u Joiht
resolution directing the sending of an
adequate naval force to Cuba to put an
end to the barbarities and the violation
of treaty obligations. The resolutions
are as follows:
"Resolved That the continued viola
tons of the usages and rules of war be-
tween civilized people, the inhuman and
brutal outrages on men, women and
| children, constantly reported on reasona-
| hla ayiIanaa aitbnr anthoriuau pr
mitted not only on the Cuban revolu-
tionists, but also on the citizens of the
| United States, now carried on between
the government of Spain and the rev0lu-
tionasy forces organized as the repdblic
1 of Cuba, demands the. immediate action
| by the United States not only for the
protection of the citizens of the United
| States who may have become residents
| and acquired interests in Cuba under
treaties with Spain, but for their pro-
| lection, but also under the higher con-
| siderations of common humanity and
| civilization, slammed andi mperiled by
barbarities and cruelties known only to
darkest and most cruel and most bloody
periods of human history.
Resolved, That an adequate naval
| force of the United States be sent to
Cuba sufficient to protect, by force if
necessary, citizens of the United States
from wrong and the violation of treaty
obligations between Spain and the
| United States.
"Rcsolved, That the president of the
| United States communicate with the
government of Spain these resolutions
| and inform that government that the
United States will forcibly intervene to
| protect the rights of Americans and the
| interests of civilization if there shall be
| q further occurrence of disorder and out
rage or the shooting or putting to death
| of prisoners of war in the conflict be-
tween the Spanish and the revolutionary
forces of Cuba"
The resolution went over, under the
rules, until tomorrow.
| Mr.. George of Mississippi then re-
sumed his speech in opposition of the
claims of Mr.. Dupont in the senate.
| Mr.. PETER gave notice that his motion
| to take up the discussion for an inquiry
| into the recent bond issues would be made
| tomorrow.
Consideration of the postofice appropri-
alton bill was then renewed, Mr.. Villas re-
newing his opposition to ocean mail sub
sides.
| He said that although this service in
creased the cost to the government by
| 100000 annually, yet no new lines were
started and no better service was given.
| In 1887, prior to the payment of subsi-
| dies, the total cost of our foreign mail
was $4S0.105, while the present bill APP
propriated $3.50, 1000 for the same serv-
| ice.
Mr.. Villas said the International, or
American line, received $500, 900 last year
for carrying $50 tons of American mail,
while the Cunard, or British line, receiy.
ed S144,750 last year for carrying 65S
tons of American mail-the British line
carrying twice the amount at two-thirds
the cost
Mr.. Hawley (Rep) of Connecticut inter
posed to state that four of the ships OF
the American line were equipped for arm