The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-12
Texan Senator Speaks in Advocacy of ReSo.
luton Recognizing Her independence.
POSITION OF THE PRESIDENT ASSAILEO
The Senator Repudiates With Horror
the Stntemcut thnt President Rnd
Puts Forth TO SubJusatc Her
Coi0ny-Resoiution Goes over.

IL,
peared in the Senate chamber to-day
for the first time this session, taking his
seat Just as Senator Mills was compI-
mentinS him on his eminent Qualifica-
lions for the office of Secretary of State
In Mckinley'S Cabinet. Mr. Allison
smiled beniGnantly at the suggestion,
but gave no further sign as to how far
1s coincided with his own views.
resolution on the subject OF the vio-
lation OF the eight-hour law on the part
OF the contractors with the Navy De-
partment on work in Brooklyn, N Y,
was the subject of resolution offered
by Mr. Allen Qep), of Nebraska. He
was Informed by Mr.. Chandler (Rep.), of
New Hampshire. former Secretary of
the Navy, that the law only applied to
work done directly for the Government
and not work done under contract.
The resolution went over until to-mor-
row.
The House bankruptcy bill was made
a special order in the Senate for Mon
day, January %.
TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL.
Senate joint resolution authorizing
the Secretary of Trea sury to solicit pro-
posals and to contract for the erection
or Government building at the Ten
nessee Centennial Exposition, without
public advertisement was introduced by
Mr.. Bate (Dem), of Tennessee. and
passed.
An argument was made by Mr.. Proc
tor Gaep), of Vermont, in favor OF 4 pro-
posed constitutional amendment, max
Ing the Presidential term six years and
making the President Ineligible for re-
election; also making the term OF Rep
resentatives in The lower house of Con-
gress three years.
SENATOR MILLS ON CUBA.
Then the great feature of the days
session was begun, with a speech by
MIR. Mills Dem), of Texas. in support
MT 1,,tt i,,t lo-
Thursday, declaring that the eXpediency
of recognizing the independence of the
Republic of Cuba, and appropriating
$4,000 for the salary of a Minister to the
new republic.
Much Of his speech was argumenta-
tive. and was supported by precedents
In the cases of the Spanish American
Republics and of the Republic OF Texas;
but the principal part of it, and that
which attracted the greatest attention,
was In severe criticism of the President
and Secretary of State, and in angry
denunciation of the Italian and Spanish
statesmen who had ventured to suggest
interference by European powers
with the Government of the United
States, In case of the recognition of
Cuba In the course OF his invective he
derided Italy as power whose symbol
OF greatness was monkey and organ
grinder. Several other Senator'S took
part in the discussion, but only on the
President to recognize foreign powers.
Mr.. Mills began his speech on the Gu
ban matter at 1:30 p. m. with thirteen
Democratic Senator's and siX Republi-
cans In their seats. He spoke without
notes. in the high keyed voice natural to
him. and which ii Is so difficult to main
tain in long continued address The
public galleries were about half-filled.
ASSAILED CLEVELAND.
hn
position assumed by President Cleve-
land in his annual message on the Gu
ban question. and when interrupted by
Mr. Gray Oem). of Delaware who ask
ed whence the Senator derived one par
ticularly pungent extract he was read
ing, Mr. Mills answered that he was
REQ from the message Of President
Monroe.
Mr.. Mills had numerous books spread
out on the two desks he occupies for
the time being, lie drew into The con-
troversy Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson.
and made point on the recognition of
the independence Of Texas "whosc rep
resentative l am" he said but imme-
diately corrected himself by adding,
zone of whose representatives [ have
the honor to be-"
MANY AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
He asserted with much emphasis after
reading an eXtractf rom President Jack
sons message on the Texas question
that the power to recognize a foreign
government was In the province of Con-
gress. and did not rest with the Execu-
tive.
TO this Mr.. Gray retorted by reading
the concluding sentence of Andrew
Jackson's message, which shows that he
did not express any opinion on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Hale. OF Maine. then came into the
discussion with n number of questions to
winch he submitted with good grace for
time. but finally asked Mr. Hale to
wait an hour or so" till he got to the
END or his speech, and then to answer
him In toto.
Mr. Hale promised not TO interrupt
1urther but within five minutes pro-
pounded from his seat three or four more
questions which went far to braek up
the continuity of Mr.. Mills argument
MT. Mills quoted the nc ion of Congress
IN 1864 In regard to the French interven-
ton In Mexico. when Congress by vote
OF l26 to s practically administered re-
proof to those great statesmen so dear
TO the Republican heart, Abraham Lin
coin and>William II. Seward, and assert
ed that Congress had the constitutional
right OF recognizing foreign govern
ments, but that the time and method of
30 doing belonged to the Executive de-
oartment.