The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-06
MIR. CLEVELAND CRITICISED
FOR NOT FURNISHING INFORMATION
AS TO THE COMPETITORS CREW.
Congress Urged to Authorize the Pres
-ssMachine" Scored by Palmer.


calling on tie President for information of
the Americans taken on the Competitor and
now under sentence Of death at Havana.
The Senator asserted that the Presidents IN
action was a violation Of law. Mr.. Morgan
declared that Congress should not adjourn
without authorizing the President to send
war ships to Cuba to demand the release OF
the American prisoners. On the suggestion
Of Mr.. Sherman, chairman Of the committee
on foreign relations. the Senate went into
secret session, when, after further argu-
ment by Mr.. Morgan. his resolution was
placed on the calendar, a parliamentary
move equivalent to postponing action. After
a brief period OF filibustering the immigra-
ton bill was made the unfinished business
Of the Senate, although the debate on II
was not begun. The question of electing
Senators by the people was discussed by Sen
ators Mitchell Perkins, Chandler, Palmer
and Hawley Mr.. Palmer took occasion 10
savagely denounce machine rule in politics,
particularly in his own State of Illinois, and
to express his opposition and defiance of the
machine"
At the opening of the session Mr. Nor
gan asked for action on his resolution re-
questing the President for Information as to
the capture Of the Competitor by a Spanish
war ship and the condemning to death OF
United States citizens, and whether any de-
mand has been made for the release Of the
United States citizens. The Senator said that
while the case was one of great gravity. in
volving the unwarranted condemnation to
death Of American citizens, yet no infornla-
ton was available, except through press re-
ports and rumor. The executive branch had
not given the slightest information on the
subject. Mr.: Morgan read the statutes re-
Quiring the President 10 make demand IQr
the release of an American citizen. He ar
gued that the duty of the President under
the Constitution was TO keep Congress ad-
vised on the state OF the Union. and partic-
ularly on foreign affairs. OF late courteous
custom had arisen to adopt resolutions MAX
ing requests on the President for informa-
from the duty of giving fun information.
and 1t was only of late days, Mr.. Morgan
said. that the failure of the fPresident 10
give Information 10 Congress has grown up
THE PRESIDENT CRITICISED.
When some question was raised by Mr..
Sherman as to the propriety of Mr.. Morgan
making public use of the testimony Of Mr..
Lawrence before the committee on foreign
relations the Alabama Senator sharply re-
Joined that there should be no such conceal
ment and hiding Of facts from the coun-
try. Mr.. Morgan said the testimony OF Law
renee who was present at the Competitor
trials at Havana, showed the grossly irregu-
lar character of the proceedings. And yet,
declared the Senator, 1.-The President pays nc
more attention to the subject than though
or mulatto in the Cuban army" Mr.. Morgan
said he did not want Congress 20 leave
washington thus committing to the Pres-
dent the whole authority to demand or with
hold a demand for the release OF Amer
| lean citizens. to recognize or withhold recog-
''sT Mr. Minis reminded Mr.. Morgan that the
Lawrence testimony had shown that the
| Americans on trial at Havana mad not un-
derstood any OF the proceedings, WHICH were
yes" MIR. Morgan continued. "the testi.
mony OF Mr. Lawrence shows the entire trial
| American prisoner was told 70 stand up. ne
| said. L do not understand wnat you nave
been saying. How am l 10 answer your go, "A
| brief explanation was made; then the sen.
tence OF death was pronounced on that
| American citizen"
The Senator said occasional groans and
| shrieks were heard from the stricken couh-
| try telling US OF the terrible butchery going
| on there. But so far as authentic ana 4mciai
information was concerned u was walnny,a r,,ha u
some with the seals broken. detailing .he
| conditions prevailing Before Congress ad.
ourned It should know =; ba 5s0m n ,Rs Whether # Is
| true that hundreds of men are penned in
| single small room; whether these American
citizens are TO meet dsatn VT. w,sHou. s1arS dav
| Of the confinement of the American prison
| ers at Havana was day or American ais
honor He did n not snHw "fas Possibly in the
| end the Americans would be 50 numD,ed az
/ to she to Spain for pardon. But Congress
leave without authorizing that power 70 DC
| used ~ necessary. I'm the event tnat tnose
American prisoners are not rs,ease1 Mr ana MOT
gan ..we should authorize him TO send ships
Of war to Cuba and make war sunicient &c
secure rnelI Morgan closed Mr. Sherman rose
onckiy and stated that the proceedings
| 1Tare Of such a character as 10 come Within
Senate rule s5, recurring secrecy; :. Inereupi d;S
| on the presiding officer, Mr.. Piatt directeo
| The galleries to be cleared and the doors
| closed Rule 35, covering business requir'
| ing secrecy, Is seldom invoked, being an
| ferent from the rule governing ordinary eA
| ecut!ve sessions.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
The discussion in the Senate behind closed
| doors was devoted entirely to the Cubar
| question. and the greater part of the time
was consumed by Senator Morgan in tht
continuation of his speech In open session
Senators Sherman and Lodge made br.e
| explanations OF their visit to the White
| House and their conference with the Pres
iaent. saving they had gone there as sub
committee of the foreign relations com
| mittee They expressed the opinion, as a re
suit Of that interview tnat tne e~ecutlv' ,tao
| tion of the rights of American citizens
They also said that while II might be wei
enough for Congress to put forth It's opin
ion in regard to the situation In Cupa, II
the shape OF joint resolution, there wa
little probability of getting such resolu
ton through without prolonged debate
which, in view of the general desire Tor al
early adjournment, could not be had
| Senator Morgan's remarks were on IN
| lines he had followed in the open Senate
| He said that entirely too much confitenc
| was reposed IN the executive in this mat
| ter: that whatever was done should be don
| with the concurrence and cooperation o
| Congress and intimated that for Congress
| TO adjourn without taking some action 70
| the protection of our own people IN Cub
| would be to shirk most solmen duty III
| said the object OF his measure was 10 Sc
| cure the rights of Americans, and tina
the refusal OF the President TO furnish in
formation as to what had been done in con
nectson with the Competitor affair left Con
, gress dependent entirely upon unoflcia
sources for Information. Senators Turpi
= and Pascoe made brief speeches.. The Nor
gan resolution went 70 the calendar.
AT o'clock the Senate doors were opene-
| and Mr.. Lodge moved TO take up the immi
grafton bin. but before the spectators ha
: secured their seats In the galleries anothe
order TO close the doors was made. Mr. Hi
, and Mr.. Harris protesting against tal<in
J Mr.. Morgan from the door. At lis th