The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-25
Senator Morgan Makes a His
torical Speech.
ON THE CUBAN QUESTION
And Favors Recognition OF the
Belligerents.
STORY OF SPANISH ATROCITIES
This WarIa Continuation of the Last,
in Which 1000 Cubans Died in
Battle and $4,000 Prison
ers Were Killed.

Washington, Feb. 24.-The public i'm
terest in the Cuban question was shown
to-day by the crowds which came to
the Senate gallery in anticipation or
a continuance of the Cuban debate.
The Diplomatic gallery showed the
largest representation since the ses-
sion opened, the Ministers of Brazil,
Chile. Hawaii, and several other coun-
tries being present.
Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama, occupied
almost the entire day in narrative
and historical speech. Mr.. Morgan
spoke for three hours and had not con
cluded when the Senate adjourned.
The Senator reviewed the policy Of
the United States regarding Cuba
since the time of President adams.
The latter had prophesied that within
fifty years Cuba would be a State of
the United States, and thereafter Web
ster, Clay, Jefferson, and other states
men uniformly urged the acquisition
of Cuba to the United States.
Mr.. Morgan said the atrocities of
the Spanish forces in controlling the
Cubans were almost without a parallel
in history. In the last war not only
had $4,000 Cubans been killed in battle,
but 44000 prisoners had been put to
death. 1T Is a most shocking holocaust.
The Senator said he had paused in
wonderment to think that the United
States stood silently by at this awful
state of affairs instead of moving and
driving the Spaniards from the island
Mr.. Frye rep. Me.) asked if this
wonderful shocking statement was
historical.
Mr.. Morgan replied that it was his-
torical, written by Spaniard, appear
ing in the American Encyclopedias, un-
der the title Of Cuba.
The present war, said Mr.. Morgan,
is but a renewal of the former one.
General Gomez had returned TO his
command, and Cisnero, the insurgent
president, returns to his task. The
United States can go no further in its
forbeaTance without stain on its hon
or. 1t was the imperative duty of to-
day to declare a state of war existing.
The great body of the native Cubans
are in favor of the insurrection, al
though the bloody code of Weyler
holds them in subsection.
After reading from reports from
United States consuIs, Mr.. Morgan
said no one could doubt, without inn
peaching our own consuls, that the
mass of Cubans were in sympathy with
Gomez and Maceo, and that in the end
the Cubans were certain TO achieve
their liberty.
A significant vote on the resolution
for an investigation of recent bond is
sues was taken during the day Mr.
Lodges resolution for an invesfiga-
tion came up and Mr.. PETER offered an
amendment for special committee
and more comprehensive inquiry. Mr.
Lodge sought to have the amendment
laid on the table but his motion TO this
effect was defeated rs to a. Final ac-
tion was not secured, as Mr. Hill, ear
ried the debate beyond 2 o'clock
Mr. Hill said he voted against tabling
the resolution as he thought it desir-
able to discuss it. He regarded the
Lodge resolution as proper in form
and giving due courtesy to the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury. But he did not
consider it the province of the Senate
to investigate everything brought be-
fore the Senate. 1t was desirable to
look into the motives inspiring these
various resolutions. Requests for in
formation we're one thing, but formal
investigations" were another and
more serious question An "inyestiga-
tion" carried TO the public an implica-
tion of irregularity. Before such an
investigation was inaugurated there
should be something definite and
tangible.
1T is not because there is a Demo
cratic Secretary of the Treasury that
] oppose this investigation, said Mr..
Hill, with great yigor. Il would OPP
pose it if my worst political enemy
occupied the chair Of the Secretary of
the Treasury"
He opposed it, he said, because this
investigation was based on idle rumor
and sensational newspaper gossip. 1t
voiced the walls and complaints of
disappointed bond bidders" If this
investigation is begun then there will
be no means of stopping an investiga-
ton of every trivial rumor. If there is
anything in the recent bond sale re-
quiring investigation said Mr.. Hill,
there should be formal resolution
stating just what was charged, in order
that the results might be compared
with the expectations. AS the resolu-
tion stood now it was "stab in the
dark"
The bill pensioning the widow of the
late Secretary Gresham, at 500 month
ly was passed