The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-23
THE F|FTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
A NEW PHASE OF THE CUBAN
QUESTION PRESENTED TO
THE SENATE.
AMERICAN CITIZENS UNDER ARREST.
A Resolution Instructing Authorities to
Inquire Into the Justice Thereof.
Minor Bills Passed-Urgency
Deficiency Bill.

Washington, Jan. 21.-The senate put
aside finance and foreign affairs today
and gave the day to work ON compara-
lively minor bills on the calendar. About
10 bills were passed, clearing the calen-
dar of much accumulation and leaving
only the important measures pending.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, Jan. 21.-Mr. Call Dem.)
of Florida presented a new phase of the
Cuban resolution in the senate today. He
read a telegram from Key West as fol-
lows:
Marquis Rodriguez was taken from
the steamer Olivette last Wednesday;
Louis Sammallien and son also taken at
Havana. All American citizens. Get
them out of the grasp of the Spanish au-
thorities."
Mr.. Calls offered resolution reciting
the arrests and asking the executive au-
thorities to ascertain if just cause exist
ed, and if not to demand their release.
Mr.. Hoar suggested that the tone of
the resolution was too imperative. Sen
ators seem to have an idea, he said, that
the senate is constantly loaded cannon
which can be touched off at any time.
Mr.. Call answered that he wished to
know whether the American flag af-
forded any protection to its citizens
Mr.. Sherman pointed out that such a
resolution might give the senate trouble
i'll other cases. 1t should go to the COM
mlttee on foreign relations for apprOpri-
ate consideration.
MIR. Call said it was the duty of the SEN
ate to act on such information as this
telegram gave. He desired the people
to know that he was ready to act prompt
ly, although he did not object to commit
tee consideration.
Mr.. Cullom Rep.) of Illinois, a mem
ber of the committee on foreign rela-
tons, said he understood there would be
communication from the secretary of
state, perhaps today, as to the arrest of
United States citizens in Cuba ''and as
to the general subject
lie urged, therefore, that there be no
haste.
Mr.. Hoar suggested that if this dis
patch was shown to the secretary of
state he would Immediately take action.
MI. Gal! announced that he had already
called the attention of the secretary to
the subject, but the senator regarded it
entity of the executive branch 1t was
hnally agreed that the resolution 90 TO
the committee on foreign relations. Mr..
Gail again turned to the Cuban subject
by asking Mr.. Sherman what was to
be done as to another pending resolu-
ton asking the state department for the
information furnished by United States
consuls in Cuba.
Mr.. Sherman replied that he regarded
the resolution as ineXpedient.
1t might endanger the consuls and
thousands of lives if confidential commu-
nlcations were made public. The senate
should not attempt to draw mysteries
II there were mysteries-frOm the state
department at the time of war. Such
action was needless unless the secretary
OF state was not doing his duty, which
was not apparent.
MIR. Call did not again press his reso
luton.
MIR. Pugh's resolution concerning sill
yer payment of government obligations
was allowed to go over
Bills were passed granting pension
or 500 per month to the widow of Rear
Admiral English and the establishment
OF rules and regulations for the naviga-
tion of United States canals and similar
works of navigation
The silver bond bill was laid aside to
permit bills on the calendar to be passed
The following bills were passed.
For the collection of fees and furnish
ing certificates to vessels: authorizing
certain persons to accept decorations
from, the Hawaiian government; amend
ing the statute fixing the time for allow
ing vessels to unload; settling claims of
United States Indian Agent Marston:
pIensioning the widow of Major General
Carson at $75 monthly and the widow
of Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka, arc
tic explorer, at $50 monthly; increasing
the pension of the widow of Colonel Fred
erick Dent, sister of General Grant, from