The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-23

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Taking Testim ny as to Spanish Arr"ci-
ties in C~uba-Stst- Department Asked for
Information Ms to Machinery of G..-rn.
ment Of Foreign >ations-To Lo"k into
the Internal. Revenue Sy~sten,-:Le EAnk-
ruptcy Bill Beiur- the Sen2,-.
Washington, April Ex-senator Nor
gan's resolution declaring that d state
of war exists in Cuba was discussed
briefly in the senate today and hen
went over for d week. owing TO the
absence Of Senator Hale, OF Maine, who
mas been active in opposition.
A resolution by Senate Hoar was
agreed to, requesting the secretary of
state for comprehensive Information as
to the machinery Of government OF all
foreign nations with which We have
diplomatic relations, the taxes or ex-
cises and methods of collection; the
imports and exports; method of aiding
the merchant marine; Determinations
against American merchant vessels;
public Indebtedness, etc.
mother resolution by Senator Cul-
lOm requests the secretary OF the treas
ury for Information as to the effect of
lIlc pItSeul internal revenue tax on
the honest production of distilled spir-
its, to hat extent Illicit distillation
had occurred and all further Informal
ton that will aid in protecting the gov
against frauds. III his IN
nectiOn Senator Cullom stated that he
understood one-third of the high wines
produced in this country came from
illicit distillation.
Senator German wanted time to look
into the resolution as If characterized
the present rates as high" and he did
not know hat the senate desired to,
pronounce this tax as high.
senator McCullom modified the reso-
luton, striking out the words high
rates and substituting present rates"
Senator Hoar wanted the resolution
brOadened SO As to give information on
alcohol used in the arts. He said it
would be Of great importance in the
consideration of the tariff bill and in
this connection he stated that he would
propose an amendment to the tariff
bill, exempting from tax alcohOl used
in the arts. The resolution finally
went over.
In conserving to his resolution going
over for a week, Senator Morgan said
that the terrible and abominable situa-
ton in Cub could not be allowed to go
on much longer. He had just listened
to the testimony of a witness before
the committee on foreign relations
which presented a shocking condition
of affairs in Pinar del Rio. 1t was
morally impossible that the people of
the United States should close their
eyes to these horrors much longer.
we are" he said, aroused over
Greece and Crete and Armenia, but the
very stencil OF these horrors is under
our noses" He wanted Americans
protected and scenes worse thar those
- 49, 80 4 w. 80 49, ID
brought to an end. II the senate pass
ed this resolution. as he believed it
would, human lives would be saved.
Senator White asked if the testimony
of horrors, being taken before the COM
mittee, would be printed and made
available to senator's.
OF course it would. responded Senate
Morgan sharply. The committee was
not adopting dark lantern methods.
Senator White said he would venture
mother inquiry. He had heard it in
timated that the president was about
to send a commissioner to Cuba.
Would it not be desirable to await the
report from this commissioner before
taking action.
There was no need of awaiting fur
Their reports, answered Senator Nor
gan. The ountry had been deluged
with reports and unimpeachable evil
dence for the last two years.
Senator Morgan said no Information
had come to congress as to the appoint
ment of a commissioner to Cuba 1t
vas generally understood hat the
commissioner would confine his inqui-
ries to the case Of DR.. Ruiz, which was
but one of many. 1t involved only the
question of indemnity or apology and
did not affect the general question as
to the attitude of the United States to-
ward Cuba.
Except to delay all action remark
ed Senator Allen, %pOpulist, of Ne
braska.
Senator Morgan went on to say that
he expected when this commissioner
came back from Cuba another one
/ would go. In the meantime, devasta-
ton, ruin, cruelty and determination
were going on in Cuba. But two cofn-
tries on the face of the earth were en-
gagged in this repression of human lib
erty-Turkey and Spain.
The agricultural appropriation bill
was then taken up and passed with
out amendment.
At 1:40 o'clock p. M. the senate went
into executive session, n at 2 o'clock
resumed it's legislative session, and the
bankruptcy bill was formally laid be-
fore the senate.
In the course Of the debate Senator
Allen announced that he would OBJ
struct in every way possible any bank
ruptcy bill which included involuntary
bankruptcy.
Senator Nelson amended his substi-
tute bill so as to overcome criticisms
heretofore made
Senator Morgan CAV notice that he
would seek to secur a test vote on the
pending Nelson substitute by moving
at 4 o'clock p. m. tomorrow to lay the
substitute on the table.
Senator Bacon submitted numerous
amendments, modifying the stringency
of the original bill az applicable to
debtors.
At 4:10 o'clock p. m the senate ad-
jOurned.