The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-28
EXCITING SCENE IN THE HOUSE
MIR. Hit Attempts to Force a Vote on
the Cuban Resolution.

Washington, Feb. 27-At 5 O'Clock
to-day an ex-member Of the House be-
came a member and a member became
an ex-member. That was the result
Of the three days debate in the House
on the Van Horn-Tarsney contested
election case. The vote by which Mr..
Tarsney lost his seat and by which il
was given to Mr.. Van Horn, the Re
publican cOntestee, was 112 to 1914;
eighteen Republicans joining with the
Democrats in opposition to the ma
jority.
The exciting incident Of the day oc-
CURED just before the House adjourn
cd. The strong resolutions prepared
by the Foreign Affairs committee for
the recognition Of the Cuban belliger-
ents had been presented earlier in the
day amid a scene Of great enthusiasm.
La fact the demonstration Of approval
was so spontaneous and seemingly so
unanimous that just before the House
adjourned Mr.. Hit, who had intended
to postpone calling them up until next
Monday, asked unanimous consent for
their immediate consideration
4 scene of enthusiasm that put the
House into a perfect furore greeted
the request. Il do not wish to make
speech on these resolutions" con-
tinued Mr.. HIT. They are brief and
present a plain, simple proposition on
a question with which every one il
America is familiar
Amid cries of vote" vote. Mr..
Bailey Dem, Texas said he would
make no objection to voting on the
resolutions separately but he was op-
posed to the last resolution which
pledged the support Of Congress in adj
vance to anything the executive might
do. Mr. HIT was saying that he
thought there would be no objection to
striking out the resolution, and Tur-
ner (Dem., Georgia. was on the floor
asking il unanimous consent were re-
quired, when Mr. Boutelie (Rep,
Maine) sprang to his feet fairly brist-
ling with pugnacity. I'm "a voice that
arrested the instant attention of the
House he said: 81 understand these
resolution accord belligerent rights TO
the Cuban insurgents, am action that
might involve the United States in a
war with Spain"
That's what we want, cried several
members. Well" continued Boutelle
impetuously, Il object to their pas
sage without word Of explanation. :"
Mr.. Hitc tried to dissuade Mr.. Dou-
telle, but the latter was obdurate.
why" said he, ''it is already 5
O'Clock and j consider this proposition
to take UP resolutions Of such amaZ-
ing gravity in this way an amazing
one. | want the reasons; j want to
see whether the reasons appeal to my
judgment as an American citizen, as
a member of Congress and as
patriot. l object to the present CON
sideration of a resolution of that
CAVITY" These latter words we're de-
livered with great emphasis.
Mr.. HIT was evidently greatly
chagrined. lie had prepared the re-
quest, he said, in Difference to what he
thought was the unanimous wish Of
all. Meantime, other members were
continuing their appeals to Mr. Bou-
telle until that gentleman turned
sayagely upon them and declared that
he did not propose to vote at a mo
ment's notice to involve his country
ut war with a country with which we
were now at peace.
The House then at 5:l5 adjourned.