Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-05-11
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON. May II.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. May II.
SENATE.
Senator Mantle introduced two
amendments to the wool schedule Of
the tariff bill to-day. He explained
that one of these represented the views
of the national wool growers associa-
ton, while the other had been agreed
to by number of Senators on the re.
publican side. The amendments were
referred to the finance committee.
The Morgan Cuban resolution was
taken up as soon as the routine business
was out of the way and Mr.. Morrill,
spoke in opposition. The Senator said
the purpose of all the Cuban resolu.
tons, including that Of Mr.. Morgan,
was to wrest the jurisdiction hitherto
held and exercised only by the execu-
tive branch of the government, in re-
cognizing the belligerent rights or the
independence of nations, and thus to
exercise the power by Congress in re.
gard to Cuba. Mr.. Morrill, declared
that Congress had no such power and
that its exercise would be contrary to
all presidents. IL will hardly be claimed,
he said, that belligerent rights of revol,
ters should have recognition based
merely on sympathy, but they
must be based on justice and law
Were we now to recognize the Cuban
revolters as belligerents the legitimate
government would at once be released
from responsibility for damages which
American citizens may suffer from any
future acts or misdeeds of the revolters
The revolters, he added, are entitled to
recognition when the executive, legis
lative and judicial functions are only
documentary and migratory. The fact
that the present administration was re-
tanning Gen. Lee at Havana was some
proof, the Senator said, that good work
is being done there now, ana this, sup
plemented by the inquiries of compe-
tent special commissioner, would give
the President better information than
that derived from the sudden inspira-
ton of any Cuban annexationist in
America. Let the President have some
opportunity to exercise the functions
and assume the responsibilities OF his
great Office, said Mr.. Morrill,. The
Senator from the great peace loving
State of Pennsylvania (Cameron) had
reported a resolution which had Fes.
tus been present would have led him
to exclaim in loud voice: Paul, thou
art beside thyself; much learning doth
make thee mad" Other resolutions,
the Senator said, did not mince mat
ters, but proposed to let slip the dogs
of war at once. The Senator held that
Spain, vexed by filibusters and by
the stalwart sympathy in the United
States for the insurgents would con-
5true resolution recognizing the
', independence of Cuba as equiva-
lent to declaration of war.
Mr.. Morrill, turned his attention TO
the "new and botched version of the
Monroe doctrine with all its apocryphal
additions by our intrepid jingoists. "This
new version, he said, sought to make
the United States the "unasked guard
ian and the fighting champion of all
the American republics, big and little"
The Senator compared the pacific ut
terances of Washington with this Stat
ulent exsggeration of the Monroe doc
trine." He had never accepted this
new version as applied to Venezuela
If it WAS to be an established policy.
then 1t was time to create an army and
navy which will eclipse all that might
be brought against them, to pile up
taxes to sustain huge military estab-
lishment and to supplant the school
master with the soldier. MIR. Morrill,
referred to the "belligerent war whoops
of certain statesmen who seemed to
want war at any COST"
Mr.. Kyle rose to question of priv
ilege on the close of Mr.. Morrill's
speech. He said criticisms had ap-
peared in the West relative to his po-
sition on Senate committees and init.
mating that it was due to some under
standing with republican Senators.
He said that as he understood the pol
icy of the populists they believed in
giving the control and the responsible
tiles of the Senate to the republicans
who controlled the other branches of
the government. He believed that
was the rightful policy.
Consideration of the Cuban resolu-
lion was resumed aud Mr.. Foraker
spoke briefly on the desirability of
careful inquiry. There was no pur.
pose, he said, to trifle with the resolu-
lion, and he urged Mr.. Morgan to al
low it to be referred.
MIR. Allen asked what more could be
learned.
Mr.. Foraker responded that ques-
ton existed as to the facts.
This led Mr.. Allen to a warm criti-
cism of the "premeditated purpose of
the State Department to keep the Sem
ate in ignorance" Fortunately, how
ever, the world knew the facts as to
Spanish cruelties. If delay was to be
the policy of the administration, said
he, then it was cowardly policy for
any administration to adopt.
Mr.. Foraker disclaimed having said
anything to warrant statement that
the executive or the State department
withheld information from the Senate |
or desired delay.
Mr.. Allen asked if Mr.. Foraker dis
missed the inquiries of the former ad-
ministration as incompetent.
The Ohio Senator answered that the |
information now available at the State |
department dealt with the present |
status of affairs and there was every |
purpose to place this at the disposition
of the Senate.