The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-02
FOR AMERICANS IN CUBA.
The President Asks Congress for $780,
900 for Relief of the Destitute.
SENATE GRANTS THE REQUEST.

The Upper House Passes q Joint Eesolu-
tion Appropriating S50,O00 for the
Distressed Citizens OF This Country
Action of the House-Bailey. of Texas,
Offers Belligerency Resolution.
WASHINGTON, D. C. CSpeciaD. President
Mckinley sent to Congress a message
recommending an appropriation of not less
than $50, 900 for the relief Of starving Ameri-
cans in Cuba. The Senate promptly passed
Mr.. Gallinger's joint resolution appropriat-
ing $50, 900 for the purpose. In the House
Mr.. Bailey objected to the resolution unless
unanimous consent were given to an
amendment recognizing Cuban belliger-
ancy. The resolution went over. The
Presidents message Is as follows:
ITO the Senate and the House OF Repre-
sentatives Of the United States:
"Oficial information from our Consuls in
Cuba establishes the fact that large num-
Der Of American citizens in the island are
In a state Of destitution, suffering for want
of food and medicines. This applies particu:.
larly to the rural districts Of the central and
eastern parts.
"The AGRICULTURAL classes have been forced
from their farms into the nearest towns,
where they are without work or money.
"The local authorities OF the several
towns, however kindly disposed, are un-
able to relieve the needs Of their own
people. and are altogether powerless to
help our citizens.
"The latest report Of nsul-General Lee
estimates six to eight hundred are without
means of support. have assured him that
II - 40 noS rpIjpCa
Them, To that end recommend that Con-
gress make an appropriation of not less
than $50, 900 to be Immediately available Tor
use under the direction Of the Secretary or
State.
"It is desirable that part Of the sum
which may be appropriated by Congress
should, in the discretion OF the Secretary
Of State, also be used for the transporta-
zion Of American citizens who, desiring to
return to the United States, are without
means to do so. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, May II, 1897"
The sending Of the Presidents message
was preceded by a special Cabinet meeting,
at which Senator Davis and Representative
Hit were present.
AS soon as the Presidents message had
been read in the Senate, Mr.. Davis OF Min
nesota. Chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Relations, favorably reported, with
amendments, the resolution introduced by
Mr.. Gallinger, appropriaring S5o'0Oo lot
The relief of destitute citizens OF the Oniteo
States in Cuba. The resolution as amended,
y as follows:
Resolved, By the Senate and House OF
Representatives OF the United States In Con-
Rress assembled, that the sum OF $50 ,OOO De
and the same hereby is appropriated out OF
sny money in the Treasury not otherwise
sppropriated for the relief OF destitute cltl-
Eens OF the United States in the Island OF
Cuba, said money to be expended, at the
discretion and under the direction OF the
President Of the United States, In the pur,
ahase and furnishing Of food, clothing and
medicines to such citizens and for trans
porting to the United States such OF them
Is so desire and who are without means to
transport themselves"
Mr.. Davis asked for immediate cons1dera'
lion Of the resolution, and there was no Cd.
lection. The only speech made was that OF
hr. Gallinger who spoke briefly. The reso.
htion was then put on its passage, ano
without division it passed unanimously,
there being no response to the call for the
NAYS. It had taken exactly eighteen min
utes for the reading of the message, the
presentation Of the committee report, and
khe brief speech and the final passage OF
The resolution.
When the message had been read in the
House, Mr.. Hit, former Chairman OF the
Committee on Foreign affairs, at once in
hoduced bill for the appropriation OF
$50, 900 for fuel and transportation for
the Cubans. Mr.. Bailey, Of Texas, OBJ
iected to immediate consideration, un-
less an amendments embodying SEN
ator Morgans resolution for recogni-
tion OF the insurgents was added. MI.
Dineley objected to the amendment, where
upon Mr.. Bailey objected to the resolution,
and the Cuban question was sidetracked.
Advocates Of the belligerency resolution
believe that If it could be brought before
the House it would be impossible for the
leaders OF the majority to hold their side
together against it, and they propose to
try to attach it to the relief resolution as an
amendment.