The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-05-19
MESSAGE OF RELIEF.
President Mckinley Sends 1t to Congress
In Behalf of Destitute Americans in CutR
Senate Acts Promptly.

President Mckinley Sends 1t to Congress
In Behalf of Destitute Americans in CuLR
Senate Acts Promptly.
Washington, May 1S. Cuba en-
crossed the attention of the senate on
Monday. The public interest in the
subject was shown by the great crowds
which besieged the galleries through
out the day. Among the occupants of
the diplomatic gallery were Sir Julian
Pauncefote, the British ambassador,
and Minister Hatch, of Hawaii, Nei-
ther the Spanish legation nor the
Cuban bureau in Washington were
represented, SO far as could be OBJ
served. Two phases of the subject
were presented. First came the ques-
tion of relief to starving and destitute
Americans in Cuba, and at 2 o'clock
Mr.. Morgan's resolution caused spir-
tied debate. The first question was
presented in the presidents message as
soon as the session opened.
The message is as follows:
To the senate and house of representatives Of
the United States:
Oncial information from our consuls in Cuba
establishes the fact that large number OF
American citizens on the island are in state
of destitution, suffering for want of 'ood and
medicines. This applies particularly to the
rural districts of the central and eastern parts.
The agricultural classes have been forced from
their farms to the nearest towns where they
are without work or money.
The local authorities of the several towns.
however kindly disposed, are unable to relieve
the needs Of their own people and are alto
gether powerless to help our citizens.
The latest report of Consul General Lee es-
Inmates that six to eight hundred Americans
are without means of support l have assured
him that provision would be made at once to
relieve them. To that end recommend that
congress make an appropriation of not less
than $4,000 to be Immediately available for
use under the direction of the secretary of
state.
1t is desirable that part OF the sum which
may be appropriated by congress should lin the
discretion of the secretary of state, also be
used for the transportation Of American citl-
zens who, desiring to return to the United
States, are without means to do so.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Following the reading of the message
Mr.. Davis, of Minnesota, chairman of
the committee on foreign relations,
favorably reported with amendments
the resolution introduced by Mr.. Gal
linger last Thursday, appropriating
$50 900 for the relief of destitute citi-
zens of the United States in Cuba. The
resolution as amended is as follows:
Resolved, by the senate and house Of repre-
sentatives Of the United States in congress
assembled, that the sum Of S50Oo0 be and the
same is hereby appropriated out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated foI
the relief Of destitute citizens OF the United
States in the island Of Cuba; said money to be
expended at the discretion and under the di-
rection of the president Of the United States
in the purchase and furnishing Of food, cloth
| ing and medicines to such citizens and fol
transporting to the United States such of them
as so desire and who are without means tC
transport themselves
The resolution was then put on its
passage and without division it passed
unanimously, there being no response
to the call for the nays. 1t had taken
exactly IS minutes for the reading OF
the message, the presentation of the
committee report and the brief speech
and the final passage of the resolution
When the Morgan resolution came
up Senator Wellington, of Maryland
made a vigorous speech in opposition