The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-09
A RECORD OF HORROR
Senator Morgan Reviews the Treatment by
Spain of Americans In Cuba.
THE STORIES OF MELTON AND DlAz.
He 9encri:,es shc Capture OF the
Competitor Crew i,:,u thc EndIgni-
ties to Which They Were Subjected
-Frentnscnt0r Rev. Dr. Diuz Nor.
sam Says is Enntao bc Described.

Washington, d. c.. April Sin the
Senate to-day Mr. Chlndler offered a
resolution which was agreed to as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the Committee on In
ters tate Commerce be directed to inyes-
tigate the payments made or agreed 10
be made by the Interstate Commerce
Commission for attorneys fees: and al
so 10 inquire whether in any cases the
attorneys OF the commission have also
heen employed by railroad companies
IN similar cases: and further whether
any additional authority from Congress
is required for the employment OF co,ln-
sci In any pending proceedings which
nave peeE Instituted by or on motion
Of the commission"
The resolution of MI. Earl, Democrat,
OF South Carolina. for the reorgan MIA
ton OF Senate committees. went over,
MY Chand er presenting an amendment
TO be urged when The resulu ion Is taken
up, providing that on Tuesday, April
2Oth, at p m the Senate viii appoint
committees
MoRGAN'S THIRD DAY.
The Mo:gaH resolution declaring that
state OF war exists in Cuba was then
taken up without objection, anu Mr..
Morgan resumed his speech in support of
1T, this being the third consecutive day
he has had the noor. The senator re-
Nerted 10 the statement Of Mr.. Hale
Yesterday that the numb of American
prisoners in Spanish prisons was re-
ouced to twelve. In sarcastic tones Mr..
morgan said that such releases as had
occurred were the result OF supplica ton
!by on" government, and nerhaps l..
Woulc be appropriate to adopt a vote
OF thanks 10 Spain for not staying thesp
prisoners outright.
ASIDE fem the official Testimony as TO
~, y,
had plled up mass OF testimony which
esla b1iShed beyond question That the war
wa: being prosecuted by Spain contrary
10 al the rules Of Civilized warfare.
DE LONE CAUGHT MAPPING.
Mt Morgan commented or a letter
vii: c. by Dupuy de Lone, the Spanish
min!s;e!, 70 Miss Cla"a Barton, relative
10 ieu cross work in Cuba. In The
course Of the letter use is made Of The
eNpreS SION during the present war
This declared Mr. Morgan, wats ,nad-
Ne!tent admission by the Spanish min
Is .e:. despite al his diplomatic cunning.
lhat war was going on And yet Con
sEesS and me 2. esident wouldn't ryc0g-
ME that state OF war which would as
sure 10 American prisoners The treat
ment OF pris soners Of war, and not OF in
Surrect tons
Mr Morgan said the question Of pro
tecting Americans imprisoned in span
whether "a or ~ were in prison, sun
pose. instead OF "a 1t had been cnlv ]
VINO could say that the United States
government would ma,ntain its dignity
by standing By While this one American
WIS nela oS spain In violation Of treaty
provisions ana contrary to every pYnci-
PIE OF civilization and Justice. Th.,
united states had wnGned off TIuroOean
nations from all control over Cuba. said
AT Morgan. We seemed 10 exercise 4
sort OF guardianship over that island as
ag9lnst all other nations.
Eut.' exclaimed the Scnat1r chat
guard!anship, il we have it, is like the
guardianship Of the devil over a con-
demned soul.
THE COMPETITOR CASE.
MI. Morgan spoke Of the Competitor
expedition, the departure Of the littlc
schooner pToha bly, for The purpose Of
carrying aid 10 the insurgents. In par
llculaf me senator took up the case OF
young Gwen Melton, one Of the Compe;i-
Tor prisoners, and followed the progress
or ms trial and imprisonment In com
municado. in the Spanish dungeons Mr.
Morgan declared that it was a long
course or violation Of treaty rights and
dure.
Dung Melton, said he, was held to-
Gay IN a loathsome dungeon, not because
guilt had been established against him.
put because he Is an American boy. He
was held in a miserable place in which
at times forty other prisoners were
crowded. Three pals Of water were
brought 10 them daily to Quench their
ln1fst. from the rations of dry cod fish
Ihese facts had been stated 10 the SEN
are Committee on Foreign Relations by
Two credible Witnesses, including Rev.
Dr. Diaz
y RECORD OF HORROR
MT Morgan then reviewed the case Of
Dr. Diaz While preaching at Havana
Dombsheils had been thrown into his
church; he and his brother were arrested
ana held for seven days in communi-
cado. The evidence Of such Spanish cru
city came 70 the Senate from uninl-
peachahlc sources. It was, declared the
senator, record OF horror unmcniiona-
bic to decent and civilized ears 1t could
not even be described on the noor Of tie
Senate without shocking III present ana
driving people from the galleries to the
outer corridors.
Mr. Morgan read portions OF the cyi.
uence given by Messrs Lawrence and
DiaZ. and heretofore published as a
senate document He said he had tried
Tor year to get from the State Depart
nent the facts IN the case OF owen Mel
ton. and that not until the closing days
or the last administration was he able
to get even Il partial statement. The
n W., S,, +. ,Ir