The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-02-12
Congressional Proceedings.

"WEDNESDAY, February 5.-In the senate
Mr. Morgan of Alabama reported from the
committee on foreign relations substitute
for the concurrent resolution reported jan
nary 80, from the same committee, in rela-
ton to Cuba. The substitute states that
the condition of public war exists between
Spain and Cuba and declares that the
United States should maintain a strict
neutrality between the contending powers
and accord to each all the rights of belliger-
ents in ports and territory of the United
States. This resolution will be called up at
the earliest possible moment unless factious
opposition to it shall be shown The action
of the committee in adopting the substitute
was unanimous with the exception of the
vote OF Mr.. Cameron of Pennsylvania, who
still insisted that congress itself should
recognize the belligerency Of the insur-
gents. AD effort was made to have the reso-
luton drawn as joint resolution, so as to
require the approval OF the president, but
this was abandoned. - An unusual, and
said to be an unprecedented event, occurred
in the house, when the general appropria-
ton bill for the District of Columbia was
defeated in body containing fifty majority
upon the side of majority of the commit
tee from which the bill was reported. The
democratic minority voted solidly against
it, aided by those republicans who opposed
secular and private charitable institutions
in the district This result was secured
amidst the most exciting scenes that have
been witnessed on the floor of this congress,
and apparently out of all proportion to the
importance and magnitude of the matters
involved. but underneath the surface the
feeling was prevalent that the influence of
the vote would be far-reaching in the APP
preaching political contest.
THURsDAY.-In the senate sharp discus
sion arose over the resolution proposing the
distribution of appropriate bills among the
stt.N lnx t,.rr ~
matter was taken up. Mr.. Allison of Iowa,
chairman of the committee on appropri-
ations made an elaborate argument against
the resolution. He was followed by Mr..
Hawley of Connecticut, in favor OF the reso-
luton. Mr.. George of Mississippi also
argued in favor of the proposed change.
Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts, argued against
the resolution. A motion to adjourn, during
the discussion, caused a call for the yeas
and nays, and finally, amid much confusion,
the senate adjourned. - The days ses-
sion in the house was devoted exclusively
to DISCUSSING the bond bill and the senates
substitute therefor The features of the
days proceedings were the arguments of
Mr.. johnson of North Dakota against free
coinage and by Mr.. johnson of California
in favor of it. In the course OF the Califor-
MIA members speech there was a manifesto
ton of feeling between the factions of the
party, Mr.. johnson remarking with much
emphasis that il there was to be war, speak
ing for one OF them, the silver republicans
were ready at any time.
FRIDAY-Senator Frye of Maine was
elected president pro tenn of the senate inn
mediately after the journal was read. Mr..
Harris OF Tennessee was nominated for that
Office by the democrats. Mr.. Allen Of Ne
braska said the popuist party, numbering
six senators, concluded some time ago to
present the name of the senator from South
Dakota, Mr.. Kyle, for the Office OF president
pro tenn. Butin view of the fact that there has
been such a harmonious union or that there
is to be such harmonious union between
the democratic and republican parties in
the chamber, he did not know that it would
be worth their while TO present his name.
- A stormy episode occurred in the
house when Mr.. Talbot of South Carolina
declared that he had nothing TO apologize
for in his course in the Civil War. and that
under similar circumstances he would again
act in the same manner. He believed So
cession was right. Mr.. Barrett of Massa-
chusetts denounced Mr.. Talbot's speech as
reasonable and seditous aud resolution,
introduced by Mr.. Barrett, was passed that
Mr.. Talbots words be stricken from the
record.