Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-05
CUBA IN THE SENATE
The Galleries Cleared During Mr..
Morgan's Speech.
TWO SECRET SESSIONS WERE HELD
Lively Time in the House Over a
Contested Election Case.
MIR. MARTIN SWORN IN

Mr.. Blanchard La) was on the floor of
the Senate today for the first time since
the recent sensational contest in louisiana,
IN which he gave way to Ex-Governor Nc
Erery.
Amendments to the joint resolution for
the reorganization of the Northern Pacific
railroad were offered by Mr.. Mitchell (Ore)
and Mr.. Nelson CAIinn.), providing that the
new company shall be liable on the land
warranties of the old company and also
for injuries to persons and Pre- perties.
MIR. Morgnn's Competitor Resolution.
Mr.. Morgan (Ala.) asked for action on his
resolution requesting the President for in
formation as to the capture of the Com
petttor by a Spanish warship and the
condemnation to death of United States
citizens; whether any demand has been
made on Spain, aid in particular whether
demand has been made for the release
of the United States citizens.
The Senator said that while the case
was one of great gravity, involving the
unwarranted condemna ton to death of
American citizens, yet no information was
available except through press reports and
rumor. the executive branch had not
given the slightest information on the sub
Ject. Mr.. Morgan read the statute re-
quiring the President to make a demand
for the release of an American citizen.
He urged that 1t was the duty of the
President under the Constitution to keep
Congress advised on the state of the
Union, sEd in particular On foreign affairs.
OF late a courteous custom has arisen to
adept resolutions making requests on the
President for information, but this did not
relieve the President from the duty of
giving full information. And 1t was only
of late days, Mr.. Morgan said, that this
failure of the executive to give Informal
ticn to Congress had grown up.
Sharp Reply to IA Question.
When some question was raised by Mr.
Sherman as to the propriety of AZ. NOR
gans making public use of the testimony
of Mr.. Lawrence before the committee on
foreign relations the Alabama Senator
sharply rejoined that there should be TO
such concealment and hiding of facts from
the country.
Mr.. Morgan said the testimony of Law
renee, who was present at the Compe Iitor
trials at Havana, showed the grossly ir-
regular character of the proceedings.
And yet declared the Senator the
President pays no more attention TO the
subject than though 1t had been the
slaughter of some poor negro or mulatto
in the Cuban army Mr. Morgan said he
Old not want Congress to leave Washington
thus committing to the President the whole
authority to demand or withhold a demand
for the release of American citizens, to
recognize or withhold recognition of bel
ngerency.
Mr.. Mills reminded Mr.. Morgan that the
AdNEtilCS testimony n6u SHOWN that the
American on trial at Havana had not I'M
derstood any of the proceedings, which
Were conducted in Spanish.
The Trial Was In Spanish.
Yes" Mr.. Morgan continued, "the tes-
timony of Mr.. Lawrence shows that the
entire trial was in the Spanish language
When the American prisoner was told to
stand up he said, I do not understand what
you have been saying. How am 1 to an
swer you% A brief explanation was made
Ihen the sentence of death was pro
nounced on that American citizen"
The Senator said occasional groans and
shrieks We're heard from the stricken coun-
Try telling us of the terrible butchery go
ing on there But so far as authentic and
official information was concerned II was
withheld. He had received several letters
from cuba, some with the seals broken
detailing the conditions prevailing. Before
Congress adjourned it should know from
the President what the situation in Cuba
ls. whether Ii is true that hundreds of men
are pennsd In single small room; whether
these American citizens are to meet death
without a demand Mr. Morgan said he
nau great respect for the office of Presi-
dent; 1t was an American characteristic
10 De proud OF their government. But this
was a government of law, not of private
Will The President IS enioined to execute
the laws; he swears in his official oath to
obey the law. The Senate had requested
information of the President and he had
-N[I-SN lAAftt IL " dS Incompatible with the
pubic interest, although section 2OOl of the
statutes provided when demand was mad.
for the release Of an American citizen that
al the facts relative thereto shall, as soon
as practicable. be communicated by the
President TO Congress"
Inc Senator declared that every dav of
the confinement of the American prisoners
a. Havana was a day of American dis
honor. Viz
He did not know what would come IF
t me Geiay and inaction. Possibly in the end
Ine americans would be SO humbIed as 10
sue 70 Spain for pardon. But Congress
which was the sole war power, should NOT
!eaFe without authorizing that power to
be used if necessary ~
IN the event that those American pris-
oners are not released and delivered To The
president, concluded MIR. Morgan "wC
should authorize him to send shiDs Of war
20 CUBA ana make war sufficient to secure
their release"
The Galleries Cleared
As Mr.. Morgan closed Mr. Sherman rose
quickly and stated that the proceedings
We're of such a character as to come with
IN senate rule 30. requiring secrecy. There
upon the presiding officer, Mr.. Platt d.
rected the galleries to be cleared and the
doors closed. Rule 81, covering business
requiring secrecy, is seldom invoked, be-
ing Inherent from the rule governing or
dinary executive sessions.
Opened and Closed Agnin.
At 1 o'clock the Senate doors were OPEN
3D. but before the spectators had secured
their seats in the galleries, another order
to close the doors was made.
When the doors opened a number of Sem
ators were on their feet. Mr. Morgan had
been making a speech during the secret
session, but at l o'clock. when the usual
morning hour closed, Mr.. Lodge moved to
take up the immigration bill The doors
were opened and sharp controversy oc-
Cured as TO the propriety of taking Mr..
Morgan from the floor Mr.. Hill moved to
go back to secret session. Mr.. Harris ask
ed unanimous consent that Mr. Morgan be
given the floor, and this was earnestly sec
onded by MIR. Morrill,. Thereupon the doors
were again closed.
The immigration Bill.
At 1:15 the open session was resumed and
Mr.. Lodge moved to take up the inmigra-
ton bill On a yea and nay vote many
Senators refrained from voting, breaking a
quorum. The vote was % to s, or IA short
of a quorum.
A call of the Senate disclosed forty-eight
Senators present. more than a quorum.
making 1t evident that f1libuster was in
progress.
Mr.. HILL and Mr.. Harris urged that the
bill should not be pressed in the ehsanoa