Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-09
MORGAN NOTDONE YET
HAS TALKED FOR THREE DAYS ON
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
PROMISES TO CLOSE TO-DAY.
sAyAGELY SCORES SPANS TREAT
MENT OF AMERICANS.
Says the United States Flag. if 1t Re-
fuses to shelter American Pris-
oncrx. Is n Disgraced Rag
Debate on the Bank
ruptcy Bill.

Washington, April S.--Tne senate to-day
heard Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama, for the
third consecutive day on his resolution de-
claring that a state of war exists in Cuba.
He was severely critical of Spain's meth
ods against American prisoners, and went
| over in detail the circumstances in the
| Competitor case. Mr.. Morgan said he would
| close his speech at the next meeting of the
| senate when he would present "A letter
from one of the Cuban officials Of the East
| ern province of the island. showing the
| complete civil system of government now
maintained by the Cubans.
Mr. Nelson, of Minnesota. spoke for two
hours on the bankruptcy bill, opposing the
| pending Torrcy bill excessively harsh
and designed collection agency for
| large creditors. and urging his substitute
as Il measure drafted in the interest of
| thousands of poor debtors struggling to get
on their feet.
| Mr.. Chandler offered resolution, which
| was agreed to, as follows:
| Resolved, That the committee on inter
state commerce be directed TO Investigate
| the payments made or agreed TO he made
| by the interstate commerce commission for
| attorneys fees; and also to inquire wheth-
| er in any cases the attorneys of the COM
| mittee have also been employed by railroad
| companies in similar cases; and further,
whether any additional authority from con-
| gress is required for the employment of
| counsel in any pending proceedings which
| have been instituted by or on motion of
| the commission
The resolution of Mr.. Earle. Democrat
| of South Carolina, for the reorganization
| of senate committees. went over, Mr.. Chan
| dler presenting an amendment to be urged
| when the resolution is taken up. The
| amendment provides that on Tuesday. April
| 20. at 2 p. m. the senate will proceed to
I appoint its committees.
| In resuming his speech on the resolution
| declaring that Il state of war exists in
| Cuba. Mr.. Morgan reverted to the state
| ment of Mr.. Hale yesterday that the num-
| ber of American prisoners in Spanish pris-
| ons was reduced to twelve. In sarcastic
tones Mr.. Morgan said that such releases
| as had occurred were the result of sup
| plcation by our government, and, perhaps,
| it would be appropriate to adopt vote of
| thanks to Spain for not Staying these pris-
oners outright Aside from the official tes
| timony as to the condition in Cuba the
! newspaper press has piled up a mass of
| testimony which established beyond ques
| tion that the war was being prosecuted by
| Spain contrary TO all the rules of civilized
| warfare.
| Mr.. Morgan commented on 4 letter writ
| ten by Dupuy DeLome, the Spanish min
| lister, to Miss Clara Barton. relative to
| Red Cross work in Cuba. In the course of
| the letter use is made of the expression
| during the present war.
This, declared Mr.. Morgan was an in
| advertent admission by the Spanish min
| lister, despite all his diplomatic cunning,
| that war was going on. And Yet. congress
| and the president would not recognize that
| state of war. which would assure to
| American prisoners the treatment of pris
| oners of war. and not of insurrectionists.
I, existed.
| Mr. Morgan said the question of protect
| ing Americans imprisoned in Spanish
| prisons could not turn on numbers-wheth-
| er seventy-four or twelve We're in prison.
| Suppose. instead OF seventyfour, il had
| only been one. Who could say that the
| United States government would maintain
IT'S dignity by standing by while this one
| American citizen was held by Spain in vio-
| lation of treaty provisions and contrary
| TO every principle of civilization and JUS
tice? The United States has warned off
| European nations from all control over
| Cuba; said Mr.. Morgan. We seemed to
exercise sort of guardianship over that
| island against all other nations.
| But" exclaimed the senator that
| guardianship, If we have it, is like the
guardianship of the devil over con-
demned soul; We are warning nation that
| they must hold aloof while we stand by
| and see the inquisitorial methods of Span
| ish warfare. Spanish dungeons and Span
| ish tyranny executed against Cubans and
| against our own people, without one word
| OF protest"
Mr.. Morgan spoke of the Competitor ex-
| pedition. He reviewed the circumstances
| OF the caSe-the departure of the little
| schooner, probably with the purpose of
| carrying aid TO the insurgents. In particu-
lar. the senator took up the case of young
| Owen Melton. one of the Competitor priS-
| oners. and followed the progress of his trial
| and his Imprisonment incommuncado in
| the Spanish dungeons. AIR. Morgan de-
| clared that il was 4 long course of viola
| tion of treaty rights and of the ordinary
| methods of judicial procedure. Young Mel
| ton. said he, was held to-day in a loath-
some dungeon. not because guilt had been
| established against him, but because he is
a young American boy. He was held in a
miserable place in which at times forty
| other prisoners were crowded. Three pals
| of water We're brought to them daily to
| quench the thirst from rations of dry cod
| fish, THESE facts had been stated TO the
! senate committee on foreign relations by
| two credltable witnesses, including Rev
DIR. Diaz.
Mr.. Morgan then reviewed the case of
| Rev. DIR. DiaZ. While preaching at Ha-
| vana, bombshells had been thrown into his
! church. He and hfs brother Were arrested
! and held for seven days. incommunicado
| The evidence of such Spanish cruelty came
| TO the senate from unimpeachable sources
| II was. declared the senator a record of
| horror unmentionable to decent and civil
lized ears. 1t could not even be described
| on the floors of the senate without shock
| ing all present and driving people from
| the galleries
Mr.. Morgan read from the laws and
| treaties to show the unjustifiable Character
| OF Melton's Imprisonment.
Then the senator exclaimed. with great
| Vehemence: Whether there are seventy
| four prisoners in Cuba. or 74OON. OF whether
| II is one. in the person of Owen Melton
| this Arkansas youth, the flag OF the
United States, If 1t refuses TO shelter him,
| is Il disgraced rag"
Mr.. Morgan gave way at . o'clock to the
| bankruptcy bill. stating that he would
conclude his speech at the next meeting
| of the senate.
Mr.. Nelson. Republican of Minnesota adj
dressed the senate on the bankruptcy bill
! lie said there WAS no public demand f0r the
| drastic collection of machinery provided Inv
| the Torrey bankruptcy bill. When the
| measure came up the other day hr received
| a shower of telegrainS faVoring il, evidently
| inspired by Interested parties in Washing
| cole ction system, who loaned money and
! clipped coupons. should not be aided by q
| bankruptcy bill: il was the honest debtor
! who was struggling to get on his feet who
| should have assistance. Mr.. Nelson Criti-
| Cised the Torrey bill in detail. saving il WAS
Vicious and complicated. providing nftecn
| distinct causes Tor bankruptcy. The hill
| also created thirty-four criminal offenses
| with severe penalties. This was Il most in
| oIpcrtunc time to build up a great criminal
! code against the poor debtors of the coun-
| try. Instead of that. any bankrupt law
| provided by congress should lift up the
| poor debtor, place him on his feet, and say
| God speed.
There was. he said no limit to the fees
| that attorneys might charge under this bill
| This was one of the CRYING evils of the law
| of 1916. under which so many ATTORNEYS
! made fortunes. So. also. was the rule of
! preferences under tho Torrey bill hard and
| unreasonable.
Mr. Nelson then discussed the main feat
! ureS of his substitute bill. He said that
| this bill was. in the main. a voluntary