The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-24
LIVELY DAY IN HOUSE.
Gibson introduced Resolution to Send
Warships to Cuba.
Barrett Fought For Drydock
at Boston.
Other Members Became Heated 10 Discussing
Civil Service.

Washington, Feb. A.-Representative
Gibson Of Tennessee yesterday intro
duced a Joint resolution directing the
president to demand of the Spanish au-
thorities in Cuba the immediate resto-
ration to liberty OF every American citt-
zen. native-born or naturalixed. now i'm
prisoned by them in the Island of Cuba.
and that in support Of that demand the
president is authorized and directed &c
accompany ii by the presence OF suf-
ficient number OF United States ships OF
war to make the demand good; and, IL II
Is not granted within "a hours, that the
city of Havana, and. IL need be. other
ports of Cuba, be bombarded until 1t Is
fully complied with and all American
citizens delivered to the commander of
our warships.
The house sent the naval bill, the last
Of the appropriation bills. to the senate
charge OF the measure, and dis
played such skill In its handling
that its provisions aroused little oppo-
sition, and it was passed practically
without amendment. Mr. Barrett OF
Massachusetts made an effort to secure
an authorization for a drydock at Bos-
what acrimonious debate, the amend
ment was ruled out of order. He then
tried to secure the appointment of n
commission to pass on the relative
merits OF Boston and Portsmouth as
location for drydock. and was equally
unsuccessful.
The feature of the day was an exceed
ingly interesting political debate, which
In, he tkA n
ject of civil service reform. 1t occurred
during the consideration of a bill to
permit governors to appoint officers Of
the territories, In cases of vacancies.
without the consent Of the legislative
councils, which is now required by law
It was precipitated by some remarks of
Mr.. Bailey Of Texas, which led to a de-
nunciation of the law by Delegate Flynn
OF Oklahoma and General Grosvenor OF
Ohio. Every time they thrust their
weapons into the law. they were greeted
with enthusiastic applause by most OF
the Republicans. Mr.. Bailey himself
boldly declared the law to be hum
bug" but he could not resist the tempta.
tion to make political capital by suggest
ing that General Grosvenor. as the rep.
resentative of the incoming administra.
to be repealed. General Grosvenor par.
ried this neatly, however, by recalling
the fact that his first controversy in the
house with Mr.. Mckinley was over this
very questions Mr.. Brosius (Rep., Pa,
chairman of the committee on civil ser.
vice. defended the law and declared that
General Grosvenor had FLASHED the
sword in the heart of the president
elect" He called attention to Mr.. Nc.
Kinley's letter OF acceptance, in which
the president-elect said he would take
no step backward" In the matter of civil
service reform.
The senate made slow progress yes.
terday onthe appropriation bills, dispos-
ing of only one item OF the Indian bill, |
that directing the. opening OF Uncom-
pahgre Indian reservation in Utah. II
involved conflict with the executive
which has steadily resisted
opening these lands. on the ground that
they contained valuable mineral de-
posits. Mr.. Villas endeavored to have
a royalty reserved to the government.
but was defeated I'm this. asSd the clause
was agreed to after an all-cay debate.
During the day a resolution by Mr.
Mills OF Texas was adopted asking the
president for information as to the
death Of DIR. Ruiz at Guamabucoa. Cuba.