Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-05
IN The SENATE.
Morgan Has Tilt With TiIIman and Wakes
Warm Over Cuban Affairs.

briefly and pointedly in the Senate, to-
day, after silence of many weeks and
las usual, his remarks served to arouse
a lively controversy. 1t occurred dur
ing the consideration of the Free
| Homestead" bill. Morgan resented
some sharp remarks Of the South Car
olina senator about "gobbling" and
stealing public lands. The incident was
closed by a statement from Tillman
ldisclaiming any purpose of being dis
courteous to the Alabama senator. An
agreement was reached for a final vote
on the free homestead bill at p NJ
| tomorrow.
| Early in the day. Morgan endeavored
| to secure vote on his Cuban resolu-
ton. 1t went over, however, at the re-
quest of Hale Of Maine, in order that
| speeches in opposition may be made.
| The Cuban resolution was called up
| by Morgan, who asked for a vote. Hale
remarked that he had just returned
after an extended absence and desired
some time to prepare the remarks he
| would submit. He assured Morgan
| that there was no purpose of delaying
The session for the mere sake of delay,
and after proper debate, he said, II
would be voted on as he was as
anxious as any one to have the resolu
ton disposed Of.
Morgan endeavored TO have a day
| fixed for the vote but there was objec-
| lion. The Alabama senator said he had
evidence in his possession showing that
under the present policy Of General
| Weyler, which, he declared. is one OF
starvation, the people in the interior OF
the island are starving, literally starv-
| ing to death. 1t resulted. he said, from
the orders herding the country people
in the towns. Before the senator from
Maine was ready to speak. hundreds
Of people would starve to death. Twice
he had sent supplies to the starving
people of India, but if supplies were
sent to those Cubans they would be in
tcrcepted by our ships or else stopped
at Cuban ports because intended for
he relief of the insurgents.
Morgan declared that 200 Americans
were among those starving at Matan-
zas. Under such circumstances, if sen
ators desired delay they must accept
the responsibility. but he could not in
The sight of God bear such a responsi
bility for a single day. Anyhow the
statement Ildue, ne coulU not pDJetl 10
the delay. although it meant. he said.
that men would be subjected TO starva-
ton and death in the island.
Hale replied briefly. saying he diff
fered from Morgan as to the conditions
Prevailing in Cuba. And whatever the
conditions We're, they could not he inn
proved by the resolution now offered,
hut would be intensified. Il repeat
that there is no purpose to delay this
resolution. said Hale, Il will be ready,
tomorrow, for a vote if necessary. i'll
others are ready then, and certainly
very soon. There is no desire to turn
the resolution aside"
The resolution then went over
A joint resolution by Chandler was
agreed to without division, making an
Immediately available $4,000 for the
purpose of the International Postal
Congress about to assemble here.
At 12.45 p. NJ. the Senate went into
executive session on motion of Davis of /
Minnesota.
At . O'Clock, when the open session |
was resumed, the free homestead bill |
was taken up. The bill releases settlers !
on pubnc lands acquired from Indians |
from the payments now required by |
law and also gives free homesteads oil
such lands now occupied. An amend |
ment was offered by Morgan giving all
public lands, not taken up by home |
stead entry, Jan. l, 1890, to the severa!
states and the territories for educa-
tional purposes.
Morgan's proposition aroused much |
opposition. Hawley, Rep, Conn, char
acterized it as a startling reversal of
the policy of the government involving |
the complete disposal of all pubnc
lands with their incalculable wealth of
mines and forests.
The debate was enlivened by sharp
exchange between Tillman of South
vanced down the broad aisle until
abreast of Morgan and then in his
explosive style. with III
dex finger aimed at the Alabama sen.
ator began firing volley of questions
on the justice of giving all the govern
ment lands to states. thus depriving the
other states of federal aid to education
Don't you suppose" said Tillman.
that we have as many poor children
needing education as you have. and as
a matter of decency do you propose to
yobble up all these lands?'
Il am not a gobbler," returned Nor
gan. so that the rules applied to COB
blers do not apply to me- y
Tillman insisted that the Morgan
meant that to one class of
states was to gobble up all the lands.
He added that his state alraady bad