The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-18
A DEFENDER OF CLEVELAND
SENATOR WELLINGTON APPROVES
HIS CUBAN ATTITUDE.

Senate-Senator Morgan Tries to Force n
Vote but is Observation-Disclosures Mason
to Speak in Favor of the Resolve-Proba-
bility that the Vote VIII be Taken To-day
Washington. May 17.-Cuba engross-
ed the attention of the senate to-day.
The public interest In the subject was
shown by the great crowds which be-
sieged the galleries throughout the day
Among the occupants of the diplomatic
gallery were Sir Julian Pauncefote, the
British ambassador, and Minister
Hatch of Hawaii, and in the reserved
gallery was General Dan Sickles, ex-
United States minister to Spain. Meth
er the Spanish legation nor the Cuban
bureau in Washington was represented
in the galleries so far as could be OBJ
served.
Two phases of the subject were pre-
sented. First came the relief to the
destitute and starving Americans in
Cuba. This was presented in the pres
ident's message. Immediately follow
ing the reading of the message Mr.. Da-
Wis presented a favorable report on
joint resolution originally introduced
by Mr.. Gallinger, appropriating $4,000
for relief Of American citizens in Cuba
The resolution went through by unani-
nous vote.
Mr. Wellington came forward for his
initial speech in the senate, making
A1,Itt tlr,
on the ground that it threatened war
with Spain He said that the first duty
of congress was to pass the tariff bill.
The senator condemned 'jingosim" and
gave his endorsement to President
Clevelands policy on the Cuban ques-
tion.
Mr.. Mason secured recognition for
speech tomorrow No vote was in
sight up to the time of adjournment.
Promptly at o'clock the Morgan Gu
ban resolution was taken up. The Nor
gan resolution declares that condition
of public war exists in Cuba, and that
strict neutrality shall be maintained
by the United States.
Mr. Morgan stated that unless some
senator desired to speak he would ask
tion of Mr.. Hale to refer the resolution
to the committee on foreign relations.
Mr.. Hale observing the meagre at
tendance on the floor, suggested that
the Importance of the question was
such as to make a quorum desirable.
This necessitated a call for q quorum,
which, after some delay, brought forty
six senators, just q quorum, to the sem
ate.
The vote was about to be taken when
Mr. Wellington, rep, of Maryland,
arose for his maiden speech, which
proved to be vigorous protest against
the resolution and a plea for its refer
ence to the committee on foreign rela-
tions He said that while a resolution
of belligerency might not be serious,
yet the senate should pause and con-
slider the serious results that might fol-
low such a declaration. A new admin
istration had just come into power, he
said.
Back of 1t stretched four years of de-
preston and disaster. Capital had been
in hiding, or had sacrificed its principal
as we'll as it's returns. Back of us
stretched four years Of idleness The
republican party had come into power
on certain propositions First of these
was the question of an adequate tariff
bill. He believed the first duty of con-
gress was to the American people rath-
er than to the Cubans and Greeks.
The first thing the senate should do
was to pass a tariff bill. The American
people were more interested in the pass
age of that bill than they were in the
consideration Of the Cuban bill. Then
congress should turn its attention to
the currency question. There should be
conservatism. Instead of arraigning
the United States against every coun-
try we should invite their support and
their confidence. The policy pursued
by the late administration and by
Grover Cleveland meets my approval"
declared Mr. Wellington, land as re-
publican l am prepared to say that
Grover Cleveland did his duty in refus-
ing to rush headlong into a radical
Cuban policy"
The senator said he was opposed to
this resolution.
This is a defiance of Spain," he said
you may say Spain Is a weak power
and that we can annihilate her in thir-
ty minutes. Are you ready for war?
Do the American people want war? I'm
til you are ready for war do not take
steps which will involve war"
Mr. Pettus was on his feet as Mr.
Wellington closed, with the following
''The senator speaks emphatically of
jingoism, and let me ask him who are
the jingoes?"
There was loud laughter and hand
clapping in the galleries.
"The senator needs no information as
to who are the jingoes." responded Mr.
Wellington. 1T is the spirit that would
drag our country into war with Spain;
it is the spirit that would draw us into
controversy with every country of
Europe and make them our enemies
rather than our friends
The presiding officer, Mr.. Faulkner,
| warned the occupants of the galleries
against a repetition Of the demonstra-
| ton which greeted Mr.. Pettus' remarks
about jngoes.
Mr.. Stewart argued for the resolution,
saying it voiced the sentiment of the
American people on Cuba.
| Mr.. Daniel said that Mr.. Wellington
| had taken shot at creation While pre-
| sumably discussing the resolution.
] In sarcastic tones he referred to Mr..
| Wellington's statement that some debt
/