The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-21
ACTION OF THE HOUSE.
Bailey SqueIched and $4,000 ApprO-
printed for Relief of Americans.

Drinted for Relief of Americans.
WASHINGTON, May 20. - Cuban affairs
furnished the House with q day of bitter
partisan debate The resolution appropriat-
ing $50 600 for the relief of American citi-
zens was adopted without dissenting vote
but the Democrats endeavored to force
consideration also Of the Morgan resolu-
ton for recognition of the bellgerency of
the insurgents They accused the Republic
ans of endeavoring to evade this issue, but
the dominant party, through it's spokes-
man, Mr.. Hitt made the important state
ment that the Republicans desired not to
embarrass negotiations which were being
projected by President Mckinley to secure
the independence of Cuba While Mr. Hit
disclaimed presidential authority for his
statement, it was we'll known that he had
been in consultation with Mr.. Mckinley on
the question and knew whereof he spoke.
The days programme was that previously
forecasted The committee on rules pre-
sented a report giving two hours debate on
the relief resolution. Mr. Bailey endeav-
ored to present the views of the minority
of this committee and to move recommit-
tal but was declared out of order by
Speaker Reed He made strong speech
and was given the unanimous support of the
Populists and silverites, while three Re
publicans - Messrs. Cooper of Wisconsin,
Colson of Kentucky, and Robbins of Penn
sylvaniac-voted to consider the Senate reso-
luton. The galleries were packed and mani
tested their usual sympathy for Cuba. The
speeches were made by Messrs. Dalzell,
Bailey, Hit, Grosyenor, Williams (Miss),
Livingstone, Wheeler (Ala), Adams Pa.),
Clayton, McMillin, Bell (CoL), Simpson,
Hull and Brown (O) Mr., Robbins gave
a graphic description of the situation in
SP6 a nHrS0n9I
In the course of his speech Mr.. Bailey,
turning to the Republicans, said: You de-
the effects of the war in Cuba, and yet
you refuse to recognize that war exists in
Cuba. If war does not exist there the
United States should declare war; for moth
ing but the necessities of war can justify
penning up American citizens In cities and
starving them" The attitude of the House
would be a surprise to the Republican
masses, Mr.. Bailey continued, for the Re
publican convention had not only declared
that war existed, but that it was the duty
of the United States to terminate that war,
protesting a solcitude for Cubans they now
words, but in strange contrast to your
action to-day" he said Then you were
anxious to do more than the sound judg
ment Of the country would perhaps sane
ton. Now you refuse to do what common
sense demands" But the stock gamblers
had become alarmed and they would rather
see the country insulted than justice done.
and the Republican party was standing, as
it always did, on the side of the immensely
| j =
but could not before the people of the coun-
try for previous question could save
them before that august tribunal. The
thorties of international law We're in sup
port of recognition, and if this act brought
war on the United States we would drive
the Spanish ships from the sea and make
them pay twofold the damage they did to
American commerce. Bad as war was, he
would not have it deter the United States
from it's duty toward weak and suffering
nation. He could not forget that another
nation, when our fathers were weak and
would not leave the sentence of piracy sus-
pended over the patriotic Cubans by with
holding from them the aid France gave
MR.. HITS SPEECH.
| Mr.. Hit, of Illinois, followed Mr. Bailey.
| He spoke of the necessity of the passage
of the resolution. Money for the relief of
| American citizens in Cuba could not be
| taken out of the emergency fund. He ex-
| planned how quickly the relief could be
| given by telegraph. This would have been
| done last Monday but that a certain gentle
man (meanng Bailey) decided to gain some
! political notoriety and party advantage and
made an objection to the resolution, show
| ing he would allow American citizens to
| starve while he played politics. AS far as
| the Republican party was concerned, 1t had
! demonstrated its friendship for Cuba by
| bringing in and passing resolution year
! ago identical in terms with that offered by
| Mr.. Bailey That was a concurrent tesolu-
| tiOn. Ihe obJect OF oHegng the Delltger-
! ency resolution now. Mr. Hit insisted, was
| for the purpose of embarrassing the Presi-
! dent in the midst of negotiations for the
| protection and relief of American citizens
| in Cuba BY coupling the two together the
| executive would either have to take action
| which, in his judgment. was not best to
take at this time, or refuse the relief which
| was necessary for American citizens. He
called attention 10 the fact that American
/ citizens were now being released from
| Spanish prisons through the efforts of the
administration.
! 'The purpose of the Republicans. de-
clared Mr. Hit sis to secure peace with
! Independence He said that the, conditions
! in Cuba had changed since Congress passed
| the last resolution. Mr., Bailey would by a
Continued ON second PageJ