The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-17
THE F|FTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
POINTED CUBAN SPEECH DEILy.
Erred IN THE SENATE BY
MR.. MORGAN.
He WELCOMED WAR It NECESSARY
To Protect Americans Private Pension
Bill Passed Over Veto-Atlantic and
Pacific Reorganization Bill Pass
ed the House.

Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Morgan
of Alabama held the attention Of the
senate and well filled galleries for IN hour
today by his earnest advocacy of a
/ strong Cuban policy on dealing with the
Cuban question. The prominence of Mr.
Morgan in the Cuban debate cf last ses.
sion, when he had charge of the Cuban
resolutions reported from the committee
on foreign relations, gave special interest
to his speech today. He spoke in dis.
passionate style, although his words had
a directness and severity in picturing the
horrors existing in Cuba such as are sci.
dom heard in the senate.
Mr.. Morgan spoke freely on the possi-
bilities Of war, welcoming 1t IL necessary
to guarantee the protection of American
citizens. He asserted that Spain's bank
ruptcy would prevent the collection of
any indemnity for wrongs. The senator
questioned the wisdom of the president g
position that the granting of belligerent
rights would be "untimely."
Mr.. Morgan's views on the lines which
should be adopted was summed up In the
following: Although I believe belligcr-
ent rights should be accorded to the Gu
bans, inasmuch as the president prefers
more coercive policy and warns Spain
that the time is near at hand for decisive
action, l will support him in any move
ment that will save our people ON that
island from further outrages; / will not
obstruct such a course with questions of
propriety, but will follow the colors when
planted by the president on the advanced
ground that the concession of belligerent
rights has become "untimely" and that
our duty now demands active interven-
ton. If that crumbles away l will again
fall back to the position that a just care
for our own people requires us to declare
an armed neutrality, ready to assail
either belligerent that inflicts wrongs on
our own people. If the president should
say: The time has arrived; the hour
has struck would any one be SO base as
not to hold up bis hands while the battle
is raging"
At the close of Mr.. Morgan's speech
his resolution was adopted requesting the
secretary Of state for papers in relation
to the Competitor prisoners and other
citizens held in Cuba by the Spanish au-
thorities.
The question of passing the bill grant
ing Nancy Allabach pension, the veto
of the president notwithstanding, &C.
casioned considerable debate, but was
finally passed over the veto. yeas Al,
nays II.
Early in the day Mr.. Allen introduced
a resolution for the appointment of nine
to investigate the extent to
which money WAS used in the recent
presidential election.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, Dec. 15.-Rev. II. De Witt
Talmage delivered the prayer at the open
ing of the senate today. In the absence
OF the vice president, Mr. Frye occupied
Mr.. Hale (rep.) of Maryland, reported
the pension appropriation bill without
and gave notice that he
would call it up tomorrow.
The house concurrent resolution for
holiday adjournment from December 22
to January was reported favorably and
agreed to.
Mr.. Morgan (dem) of Alabama pre-
sented the credentials of Edmund Win
stOn Pettus as senator from Alabama for
the term beginning March next, to sue
ceed Senator Pugh.
Allen (pop) Of Nebraska offered a reso-
ution for a committee of nine senator's
On the "use of money in elections" The
resolution directs that the committee
shall thoroughly investigate the extent
70 which money, If any, was used In con-
1ection with the late presidential cleo
ion in influencing in manner the choice
'Or presidential electors and to inquire
whether such expenditures were ex-
,essive, illegitimate, corrupt or unlawful,
ind especially to inquire and ascertain
o what extent for such purposes the own
RS of silver mines, gold mines, the bank ,,
,ther corporations and millionaires of all |
lasses made contributions and what con- |
ributions, if any, were made by persons
II corporations residing abroad"
The resolution further empowered the |
committee to send for persons |
nd papers and directs a report by the !,
Irst Monday of December, 1897.
Mr.. Allen made no remarks on the res
luton, but sent to the clerks desk and
lad read several newspaper clipping con-
aiming charges of irregularity In connec-
ion with the recent election. The reso-
ution was then referred to the commit
&c on contingent expenses, Mr.. Allen
that he earnestly desired a
peedy report back to the .enate.
Mr.. Dingley came on the floor during
he transaction of the morning business