Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-18
cunAANp CONGRESS.

there are hundreds OF American citzchs
I'm Cuba who have been compeiied 10
leave their homes. and who are desti-
tute of food and clothing. He stated
that his information was received from
Consul-General Lee and other OF our con-
suls In Cuba, and he recommended tha'
an appropriation be made 10 relieve our
distressed countrymen and bring TO our
shores those of them who desire to come
here
In the Senate resolution appropriat-
ing $4,000 Cor this purpose was passed
without debate or objection. In the
House similar resolution was intro
duced. but met with a different late.
Mr.. Bailey asked leave to offer an amend
mcnt. In effect Mr.. Morgan's Senate reso-
luton acknowledging Cuba as a bellise-
rent power.
To this Mr. Dingley objected, and hence
Mr.. Bailey would not agree for the reso-
luton to have the unanimous consent
necessary for its immediate passage.
We are not yet advised what VIII be
the next step of the Republicans to pass
the resolution in question Cor that one
from the Senate; but the situation Is
not without difficulties for them. Ihe
Speaker. who is always anxious 10 make
his power felt. does not wish the Cuban
question discussed YETI hence he Is not
disposed to allow Mr.. Bailey to offer MS
amendment.
Ordinarily, we should say that Mr.
Bailey has the Republicans In hole,
but Mr.. Reed is so high and mighty, and
is so very arbitrary in his rulings, there
Is no telling what he may do to succor
his party.
The object Of Mr. Bailey is, OF course
10 make the Republicans show their
hands upon the main question-that Is TO
say. upon the question of acknowledging
the belligerency of Cuba. This the ne
publican party is not ready to do. us
excuse for delay is that Mr.. calhoun
Is now in Cuba making special inVest-
cation for the information Of the Presi-
dent. and that no action ought TO be
taken until he has reported. If the truth
could be known, we guess it would APP
pear that Mr.. Calhoun's mission Is 10
furnish the administration with reasons
for not granting the Cubans bellgerent
rights. The President doubtless found
that Fitz Lees reports were more favor
able to the Cubans than he wished them
to be, and for that reason sent Caihouh
to Habana to furnish more acceptable
information.
There is. however, reason for hoping
that the Presidents action yesterday VIII
lead to some sort of decision upon the
part of this government. We have been
hating and hesitatng long enough. we
ought 10 take a position one way or an
other. and there Is hardly any room Tor
doubting that. the country generally pre-
fers that our decision should be IN FAVOR
of Cuba. The very conservative classes
are however, apprehensive lest 1alse
stem should lead us into trouble ana be
very Injurious to our already greatly
depressed business interests. OF course,
this is a consideration that ought not
be overlooked, but we cannot indulge
ourselves in the do-nothing policy for
ever.
The distribution of relief to the Ameri-
| cams who are in distress in Cuba is re-
| earded by many as impractical, but it
eoeros that Consul-General Lee thinks
| not.
IT is quite likely that IN attempting
70 feed our own people, we shall be I'M
rosed unon nv many native begSars, bus
better this than that any American
should starve almost in sight or our
chores The real difficulty we apprehend
will, arise from the fact that so many
+, Cubans have become naturalized in this
country and have then returned home.
Now these. their wives. and children,
their cousins and their aunts. may come
forward and ask relief of us. And to
draw the line with precision, we imagine,
would be no easy thing.
However, this is something IKE count
ing ones chickens before they are
hatched. The appropriation has not YET
been voted and we do not know when IL
will be. But we may take 1t for grant
ed that If Speaker Reed favors 1t
will be put through. Yet, should 1t be-
come necessary TO kill the appropriation
resolution to kill Mr.. Bailey's movement
the Speaker is just the man TO do 1t.