The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-14
FORECAST OF THE
WEEK IN CONGRESS
Papers That Will Be laid Before the
House.
CUBAN AFFAIRS TO THE FRONT
Discussion of the Death of MaceO In.
dicates u Sentiment in Favor Of the
Insurgcnts..The Dinglcy Bill May
BE Considered Again and Military
Appropriation Bill Probably BE
Found on the Calendar.


pers that will be laid before the house
tomorrow, will be the documents in the
matter of the contest by Alexis Benoit
for the seat from the Fifth Louisiana
district for the present term of the
Fifty fourth congress, for which Mr..
c. ]. Boatner holds certificate as the
result of q special election held NoVem-
Der 3 last. Messrs. Boatner and Be
mott were opponents at the election in
1894, at which time Mr.. Boatner re-
ceived certificate for the full term.
But he was unseated last spring as the
result of a contest by Benoit. The
house, however, refused to give the
contestant the seat for the reason that
while Mr.. Boatner's election was in
valid for intimidation and fraud Mr..
Benoit did not receive a sufficient num-
ber of votes to warrant the house in de-
claring him elected. So they tried 1t
over again last month and now Mr..
Benoit asks the house to review the
election.
Cuban affairs are also likely to come
to the front at any moment Mr.. AL
len. who the other day called up the
Dingley bill, will do so again when a
favorable opportunity offers itself.
In the house of representatives to-
morrow Is District of Columbia day un-
der the rules.
The bill defining the rights Of the
purchasers of the franchise and prop
erty of the Atlantic and Pacific Rail
road company sold under foreclosure OF
the mortgage authorized by the act of
1871, will come up, probably on Tues
day. 1t is within the power of the
house under the conditions now pre-
vailing to give as much time as may be
desired to the consideration of this
measure.
The military appropriation bill is eX-
pected to be on the calendar in time
for discussion "Wednesday and the
legislative, executive and judicial bill
by Thursday. 1t is among the proba-
bilities that adjournment for the holi-
day. recess will be taken on Friday.
The subject was discussed by the Re-
publican members of the committee on
ways and means Saturday. but no con-
clusion was reached. The recess, when
ever it begins, is expected to extend
until Monday or Tuesday after New
Years Day.
DISCUSSING MACEO'S DEATH.
Little else was discussed in WASH
ington today among diplomats and
politicians but the tragic death of In
surgent General Maceo. The senti-
ment here among all classes is decid-
edly with insurgents and expressions of
sympathy were heard on all sides for
the ultimate success of the Cuban
cause.
The subject of Maceos death will be
brought up in congress tomorrow, most
probably in the senate, where several
resolutions recognizing Cuban bellig-
erency are pending. 1t Is less difficult
to bring the subject up there than in
the house, where the rules restrict ac-
tion. Chairman Hit. of the house for
eign affairs committee. was not in n
position tonight, he said. to discuss the
subject of Maceo's death. The news
was too conflicting and indefinite. and
he was i'm favor of waiting until the
details of the circumstances assuming
that Maceo is dead, is received through
the United States official channels.
Mr.. Hit, because of his prominent
position. Is cautious. and he voices the
general sentiment of the conservative
element in both parties. There is in
both branches of congress II large num-
Der who are ready to recognize Cuban
belliCercncy whether the Maceo Incl
dent proves correct or not.
Senator blanchard. of Louisiana. rep
resents this element when he declared
tonight that he was ready at any time
to vote for a resolution recognizing
either the belligerency of the Cubans,
or, better still. their independence.
Senator Platt. of Connecticut. said
the mendacious character of the news
of Cuba for the past six months and
its utter unreliableness, prevents him
from expressing any opinion.
Nobody knows" he declared with
emphasis. whether Maceo is dead or
alive. if dead how he met his death. or
any of the essential details upon which
to base an intelligent opinion and un-
til I do | will not speak as to what
ought to be done or indicate how I will
act"
Senator Thurston. of Nebraska, said
he would vote to enter the protest OF
this government against the manner
of warfare being carried on i'm Cuba,
and Mr. Mcmillan. of Tennessee. and
Berry. Of Kentucky. favored some ac-
tiOn by the government which would
show to the world that the United
States did not stand idly by and by its
silence approve Of the methods of the
Spanish government against Cuba. 1t
is not believed that resolution to in
vestigate the manner in which Maceo
met his death will be offered in con-
gress, even Cuban sympathiers do not
think such a mater in within the power
of this government, as Maceo is q
Spanish subject and his death. if dead
occurred on Spanish soil; but it will
he within the province of the United
States consul general at Havana to in
stitute such INQUIRIES and for congress
to call for and act upon his report
The matter will doubtless take this
course.