The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-09
SENATE.


Aliens resolution, reciting the reports
that General Ruiz Rivera, the Cuban
commander, is about TO be tried by
drum-head court-martial and shot, and
expressing the judgment Of the senate
that If these reports are true the pres
ident of the United States should pro-
test TO the Spanish government against
such a violation of the rules of civil
lized warfare.
This resolution does not go 10 the
house Of representatives, and becomes
effective as a measure of advice 10 the
president by its adoption today.
Although opposition was withdrawn
on the final vote, there was spirited op-
position in the early stages of the de-
BATE, and a test vote OF the compare
tive strength Of the Cuban sentiment
IN h n The test occurred on q
motion TO refer the resolution to the
committee on foreign relations.
Senator Hale, who has been prCmi.
nently identified with the opposition to
cuban resolutions, made the motion to
refer, and it was upoprted by Sem
ator Hoar, another prominent figure il
the opposition to Cuban resolutions.
The debate was very spirited, M at
times quite personal. The Hale motion
to refer was defeated, q to q, and the
resolution adopted, A to 0, Senator'S
Hoar and Hale refraining from voting.
Another Cuban resolution comes UP
tomorrOw-that of Senator Morgan. Of
Alabama, declaring that a state of war
exists in Cuba and recognizing both
parties as belligerents.
After the disposal of the Cuban Ques-
ton the day was given to speeches
Senator Ekins, of West Virginia.
speaking for two hours on the Develop
ments of the American merchant ma
rine, n Senator Lindsay, of Ken
lucky, advocating the passage of the
bankruptcy bin, known as the Torrey
bill, now before the senate. Late in
the day a joint resolution by Senator
Bate, of Tennessee, was agreed to, di-
recting the surgeon general of the ma
rine hospital service to aid the Mis-
sissippi river flood sufferers by the dis
tribution of tents, blankets, foo and
medicine under the epidemic fun of
1898, and to purchase further supplies
under the present epidemic fund for
similar distribution.
! There was quite a breeze when Sen.
ator Chandler introduced a bill abOl,
ishing competition in trade and pro-
duction, and authorizing combinations
to enable merchants, manufacturers
and producers of commodities subject
to interstate to maintain
prices and profits, Notwithstanding
business depression"
/ Senator Chandler said he would no.
| press this bill unless an effort wa
made to pass the pooling bill' allow
ing railroads to combine.
The Cuban question then came up
on the resolution of Senator Allen
; heretofore introduced. Senator Allen
-,--l ~~ - pfi ~ 1fr rncn
tuition. He emphatically dissented, he
said. from the proposition that the
| American congress must sit idly by
| while this savage n DarbarOus con-
! test proceeded at the very threshold
Within 100 miles of our shore women
! and children were being ~butchered. and
the methods of civilized warfare set
! at defiance. Murder, rape and devasta-
, ton We're playing their parts in the
! destruction Of the island. And were
| we, a Christian people, he asked. will
ing to sit by and not raise a voice in
! defence of these people. He declared
that SPANS course had been n OF
~blOodshed and cruelty. This was 50
! notably true as to recent events in
the Philippine islands and in Cuba thai
j Spain had become an "OutlaW nation,
not entitled to recognition by civilized
countries. 1t was time for us to act
; declared the senator.
eff the president of the United STATE
will send III navy to Cuba" exciaim-
: ed Senator Allen. land warn SDai.
| that she must observe the methods OF
civilized warfare or that every Spanish
seaport will be RACED to its foundation
hostilfties would cease and Cuba would
be free within three months"
Senator HOar responded in a calm
and impressive manner. He spoke OF
| the aspirations of the Ounde of the
government in establishing the sen
ate as the stay and resisting power
| against those passioate n fitful gusts
, of sentiment hat had wrecked every
other republic on earth. The symbo
of the senate was more properly the
sturdy and slow maturing oak. rathel
than the mushroom which rotted in ar
hour. This resolution was based or
mere report and prOphesy.
cit is a fact" asserted Senator Allen
from across the aisle. Does the SEN
ator CHoar) confess himself in such ig
~nOrance?"
Senator HOar declined to yield. but
Senator Allen insisted on repeating thai
the danger to General Rivera was ar
authenticated fact, known to all men
enato Hoar, continuing, denied thai
there was anything but report and
prophesy at the base of this reSOlu.
ton. He rejected with indignation any
assertions that he was guided on these
| III ~ tf1 III
terests or opinion of the business ele.
ments. as had been suggested. Wher
the time came for any we'll considered
movement in behalf of humane war.
fare in Cuba, or elsewhere, it would
| have his support.
Senator Allen again took the floor
addressing himself frequently to Sen.
ator Hoar in person. The danger II
General Rivera was not rumor, and ir
so characteriZing it, the M~assachusett:
senator showed his anC
puarility." The American people knew
the facts and the Massachusetts sen.
ator knew them-that Rivera was
about to be tried and shot.
Il wish 1 had the power to LAND
/ United States soldiers on the island 81
Cuba and to sci u fleets there" sale
Senator Allen. and the Spanish force:
would be ground to infinitesmal piece:
and this barbarity would end"
Senator Hale said that he would De
willing to pass a resolution inquirine
of the state department what informa-
ton it had in the matter. The senate
had had experience taking steps baseC
- e.