Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-04-07
MONDAY THE MESSAGE.
Fears for Safety of Americans in Cupa
the Cause of the Delay.
GREAT CRUSH AT CAPITOL.
thousands Unable to Gain Admission to
the Galleries--Memorable Scene in
the senate-NIadrid Reports a
settlement.

WASHINGTON, April 6.-No more in
spring scene could be witnessed than
was presented in the great hall of the
house of representatives just before the
house met. Tier upon tier of people,
from gallery rail to wall, stretched in
an unbroken line, to the pit where
members sit. Upon the issue Of the
day the tens of thousands who swarmed
to the capital believed depended peace
or war. On the floor the greatest ex-
citement and activity prevailed. The
leaders rushed hither and thither, raj
lying their forces. Rumors flew about
Here Indignation was riot against the
report that the president would ask
for discretion as to when in
tervention should take place; there a
staunch supporter Of the president was
counseling calmness. There group
was discussing the probability of an alli-
ance between the Democrats and the
dissatisfied Republicans; there an ap-
peal to group of Republicans was be-
ing made to stand solidly by the presi-
dent and party organization. The battle
was already on. In corner of the cap
itol the house committee on foreign af-
fairs was meeting. In the old Liberty
hall, the "reconcentrados, as the Re-
publicans who have been urgent for ac-
tion have been called, were discussing
the latest phase of the situation with
stormy words. Everywhere was the
militant spirit which comes with events
that stir the blood and quicken the
pulse.
1t having been arranged last Friday
that the army reorganization bill should
be special order for today (not to inter-
fere with report from the committee
on foreign affairs), the speaker recog-
nized Mr.. Hull, chairman of the mill
tary affair, committee, to call it up.
A wrangle followed as to whether the
bill should be considered in committee
of the whole or in the house and as to
the limits of the debate. The galleries
watched these preliminaries impatiently
but with interest as the leaders on both
sides, Mr.. Dingley and Mr.. Bailey and
others participated in the sparring. It
was finally agreed that the bill should
be considered in the house but ali efforts
to arrange limit upon the debate failed
owing to the objection of Mr.. Marsh
(rep., ILL., who is one of the most belli-
cose members upon the floor.
A feeling Of the greatest disappoint.
ment was manifested in the house
when the word went around that there
would be no message from the presi-
dent until Monday. Members in the
lobbies discussed the cause OF this
further delay in groups. Some of them,
knowing that General Lee had cabled
for more time, harangued their angry
colleagues who seemed to believe that
there was trick in the proposed delay.
Mr.. Cooper (Rep. Wis.,, announced
that he believed it was to
get time 60 bring pressure to
bear upon the insurgents. Another
said he was surprised that General Lee
had weakened But the members
will acquiesce il the delay. Republi-
cans anxious for action said that if lives
of American citizens were endangered
the delay must of course follow. When
the news reached the thousands in the
galleries who had been there for hours
they left in intense disgust. AS they
pushed their way out into the corridors
some facetious individual remarked {:
"Are we entitled to rain checks''