Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-22
LIVELY DEBATES
Interesting Proceedings in Both
Houses Of Congress.
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY With CRETE
Mr.. Aliens Motion to Stop Senate
Business.


The first reference in Congress to the
Turko-Grecian war came soon after the
Senate opened today. when Mr.. Allen (Neb.)
introduced the following resolution: IRE
solved. That the established policy of the
United States Of avoiding entangling al
liances with European powers is In no re-
spect violated by our sympathizing with
the Christian people of Greece in their
present heroic struggle against the ad-
vancement Of the Ottoman empire, and
that in the judgment of the Senate 1t would
be a recognition of the wishes of all for
the executive to express to the government
of Greece the sympathy of the American
people" Mr.. Allen supported the resolu-
ton by citing precedents In which the
United States had expressed sympathy for
those struggling against oppression. He
also read from manuscript detailed state
ment of the affairs Of Crete from early
times.
Christianity vs.. Paganism.
1t traced tie revolts of the Cretans
against the rule of Turkey. This present
contest proceeded MIR. Allen, zig the old
question whether Christianity or paganism
shall survive. In such a contest a great
and powerful nation like the United States
should not hesitate in voicing its senti-
ments promptly and loudly, so that it will
be heard throughout the world The SEN
ator spoke Of the course of the allied pow
ers OF Euro pc, who, he said, had recently
been reaching out in a tangible way in
this country. These great powers had in
tervened, not to stay atrocities, not to stop
invasion, but to prevent Greece from de-
tending her homes and her religion
Mr.. Allen said he had spoken bitter
things against the Turk and the Spaniard
because these two hung like mill stones on
the progress of civilization. They were
both engaged in the same methods of muir
der, assassination, devastation by the torch
and ak, while we were quiescent and silent
Il believe the time has come" exclaimed
Mr.. Allen, when all the resources of the
United States should be used to protect the
christians of Greece and the people of
Cuba
Mr.. Davis CMinn.). chairman Of the COM
mittee on foreign relations, asked Mr.. AL
len If it would be satisfactory 70 have the
resolution referred to the committee add
Ing: Il feel warranted in promising speedy
action
Mr.. Allen assented. and the resolution
was referred.
came up when Mr.. Butler On. c. called
up his resolution directing the committee
On post offices and post roads to inquire
and report on the establishment of postal
savings banks.
Mr.. Pettus (Ala) promptly objected, stat
ing that no directions should be given to
the pest Office committee in its present
disorganized condition.
Mr.. Mor9an's Criticism.
Mr.. Morgan came to the assistance of
his Alabama colleague and criticised the
present disorganized condition of both
branches of Congress. The refusal to Or
ganize the committees amounted to die
tatorship-pure dictatorship. Since Con-
gress convened on March Is the purpose
apparently had been not to do public bust
ness, but to advance the interests of one
or the otf er political parties. While he
was a politician he had never felt that
the business Of the country should halt
during the distribution of offices and the
consideration Of political affairs. There
had been talk of cloture rule, and yet
why should the Senate indulge in such
cOmical experiments when 1t refused to
organize its own committees.
Mr.. Morgan turned his attention to the
House of Representatives and severely
criticised the practice of adjOurning for
"by the arbitrary, unconstitutional and I'M
heard of action of one man the proper
consideration of business by this great leg
islative bt dy.'
right to represent their people or their
states. They were prevented from acting
by the most gigantic and unheard-of fill
buster ever attempted. Then Mr.. Nor
",
said: The Speaker of the House has been
characterized as the great white car, but
he should be known hereafter as the great
white filibuster."
The senator went on to say that when
men were confronted with such methods
they would stand until the aggressors
We're forced to 0esist.
The discussion was cut off at this point
by Mr.. Buffers withdrawal of the resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Aliens Motion.
The subject Immediately came up In a
new and more surprising form, when Mr.,
Allen made a motion, which he reduced to
writing. In the following terms:
Moved, That no business legislative or
executive, except the consideration of an
preparation bills. shall be transacted by the
Senate during this Congress- until the COM
mittee vacancies are filed
This resolution practically meaning the
cessation Of business caused something of
a stir on both sides of the chamber
MIR. Allen said he desired a yea and nav
vote.
Senator Cullom caused a laugh by say
ing: Before the Senate stops business I
would like to present q small bill" Other
senators hurriedly presented bills in order
to get In before possible stoppage Of busi-
ness for the day at least.
Mr.. Chandler On. HI endeavored to per-
go over. 1t resulted in a sharp colloquy
between them. Mr.. Allen insisted on speak
ing. while Mr.. Chandler insisted that all de-
late was out of order
THANK God there Is one thing we can still
do in the United States Senate" persisted
Mr.. Allen. I'VE have the right to speak, and
no man can stop us unless he has the ply
steal power"
Lively Colloquy.
Mr. Chandler asserted that the resolution
had gone over and there was nothing be-
fore the Senate.
1.-The senator Allen) Is not before the
Senate" he added.
Mr.. Allen drew up his herculean propor-
tions to their full height and answered
Yes. the senator is very largely before the
Senate"
Unless the senator intends to defy the
rules Of the Senate he will not go on pro-
ceeded Mr.. Chandler
Mr.. Allen said he had no purpose to defy
rules But" he continued. IF anything Is
~ n GTMDT A