Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-04-08
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, April S.
SENATE

SENATE.
The Senate galleries were we'll filled
again to-day in expectation of contln'
uance Of the Cuban debate. Mr.. Chan
dler offered resolution, which was
agreed to as follows: Resolved, that
the committee on interstate commerce
be directed to investigate the payments
made or agreed to be made by the in
terstate commerce commission for at
torneys fees; and also to inquire
whether in any cases the attorneys of
the commission have also been employ
ed by railroad companies in similar
cases; and further whether any addi-
tional authority from Congress is re-
quired 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 for the
reorganization of Senate committees
went over, Mr.. Chandler presenting an
amendment to be urged when the reso.
luton is taken up. The amendment
provides that on Tuesday April 20, at
p. NJ the Senate will proceed to ap'
point its committees.
The Morgan resolution declaring that
o state of war exists in Cuba was then
taken up without objection, and MIR.
Morgan resumed his speech in support
OF it. The Senator reverted TO the
statement of Mr.. Hale yesterday that
the number of American prisoners in
Spanish prisons was reduced to II. In
sarcastic tones Mr.. Morgan said that
such releases as had occurred were the
result of supplication by our govern
ment, and perhaps it would be appropri.
ate to adopt vote of thanks to Spain
for not Staying these prisoners out
right. Aside from the official testi-
mony as to the condition in Cuba, the
newspaper press has piled up mass
of testimony which established beyond
question that the war was being prose
cuted by Spain contrary to all the
rules of civilized warfare. MIR. Morgan
commented on a letter written by
Dupuy De LONE, the Spanish minister,
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, de-
clared Mr.. Morgan, was an inadvertent
admission by the Spanish minis
ter, despite all his diplomatic
cunning, that war was going on
And yet Congress and the Presi.
dent would not recognize that state
of war which would assure to Ameri.
can prisoners the treatment of prison.
ers OF war and not of insurrectionists
Mr.. Morgan said the question of pro
tecting Americans imprisoned in Span.
ish prisons could not turn on numbers
whether "a or u were in prison. Sup.
pose instead of II it had been only one.
Who could say that the United States
government would maintain its dignity
by standing by while this oDe Ameri-
can citizen was held by Spain in viola.
ton of treaty provisions and contrary
to every principle of civilization and
Justice. The United States had warn
ed of European nations from all control
over Cuba, said Mr.. Morgan. We
seemed to exercise sort of guardian
ship over that island as against
all other nations. But" exclaimed
the Senator, that guardianship il
we have it, is like the guardianship
of the devil over condemned soul.
We are warning nations that they must
hold aloof, while we stand by and see
the inquisitorial methods of Spanish
warfare, Spanish dungeons and Spanish
tyranny, executed against Cubans and
against our own people without one
word of protest." Mr.. Morgan yielded
temporarily for motion by Mr.. Carter
that when the Senate adjourn it be un-
til next Monday.
Mr.. Hoar urged that the Senate
ought to go on with the bankruptcy
bill, at least to. morrow, and on his re-
quest Mr.. Carter withdrew the motion.
Resuming, MIR. Morgan spoke of the
Competitor expedition. He reviewed
the circumstances of the case; the de-
departure of the little schooner proba-
bly, with the purpose Of carrying aid to
the insurgents. In particular the SEN
ator took up the case of young Owen
Melton, one of the Competitor prison
ers, and followed the progress of his
trial and his Imprisonment in communi-
cado in the Spanish dungeons. Mr..
Morgan declared that it was a long
course of violation OF treaty rights and
the ordinary methods OF judicial pro-
cedure. The Senator exclaimed with
great vehemence: whether there are
"A prisoners in Cuba, or $4,000, or
whether it is one in the person of Owen
Melton, this Arkansas youth, the flag
of the United States, if it refuses to
shelter him, is disgraced rag"
The Morgan Cuban resolution gave
way at o'clock to the bankruptcy
bill. Mr.. Morgan announced that he
would close his speech at the next
meeting of the Senate.
Mr.. Nelson spoke on the bankruptcy
bill, pointing out the harsh features OF
the Torrey bill, and advocated the
substitute offered by him.
HOUSE.
The House was not in session to-day.
Rc,v,ro of OinttncntS for Cafarrh that