Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-07

Special Correspondence of Gazette and Journal
Dover, April 5. The complications
hetwoen the United States and Spain
are responsible for the only important
matteru brought to the attention Of tho
General Assembly yesterday. Everything
OF this character, however, which was
brought baiure the body was introduced
10 tho House by Representative Donald
400. 10 the morning he presented tho
bills to strengthen the National Guard
and nllow the Federal government to
hold property in tho State, and in the
afternoon called up for adoption sub
stItute for the joint resolution which
was offered by him several weeks ago
After some discussion, however, by re-
quest OF other members, he had tho
substitute laid on the table until such
time as he should seq fit to call 1t up.
1t road as follows:
House joint resolution in relation to
this destruction OF the battleship Maine.
Whereas, Tho State OF Delaware
atitution and enter the Faderal Com
pact undsr the Constitution of the
United States, and,
OF life caused by the estruction OF the
battleship Maine. and.
Whereas, Tho board OF inquiry APP
pointed by tho Federal government to
investigate the cause Of this great iis-
aston has submitted its report to said
Federal government; and,
Whereas, The strained relations that
may be caused by said report between
our Federal government and the govern
meDt OF Spain may cause warfare and
hostilitios between said governments.
Therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate and
House of Representatives. OF the State
OF Delaware 10 General Assembly met ::
That tho Governor OF this Stats he
| and he ia hereby directed to tender tho
Federal government tho services of the
| militia of this State at the shortest
notice IN defence of our national honor
and pride and the homes of our penple. :"
At the conclusion Of the reading of
| the joint resolution Mr.. Donaldson
moved its adoption and spoke in favor
Of it.
Mr.. Cheairs wanted it referred to the
COMMITTEES on Federal relations, but his
motion was not seconded.
Mr. Donaldson said he hoped there
| would be no baHty action, as the matter
was OF grave Importance and the origi-
| nal resolutions had been before tile
House long enough for ths members to
become acquainted with them. lie said
the resolutions we're to express sym
| pRthy ami show the govern ment that
the State is ready to offer assistance 10
case 1t Is needed.
MIR. Hazel said TINT while Mr.. Don
Hldsor's remarks had stirred the pa
iriotio feelings In his bosom, and he
was willing that every dollar in the
treasury aud every male relative of his
ehould be given in defence OF the coun-
try's honor, he was not ready to vote
for the resolution. He was willing to
trust the patriotic. cool headed man in
the Presidents chair with the ship Of
state, and felt that he would guido il
safely. lie did not believe the country
TO BIO on the verge of war, and con
sidered the jing0ists in Congress- to be
acting as they are more for the purpose
Of attracting attention TO themselves
than from a patriotic motive. He de
plored the inflamnbatory talk which had
bssa filling some OF the newspapers
recently. The people know the ma
torial OF which the Blue Hens Chickens
are made, he said, and know that they
need nothing to inducs them to 90 ia
the defence pt the flag. In conclusion,
he remarked: "The fight, if there IL
one, will be OH tho broad sea and no,
on our shores, You can rest assured,
when you go to your homes, thut there
will be no draft. There will DO enough
volunteers.
Mr.. Smith thought the resolution un.
necessary.
Mr.. DEMPSEY thought this tho tins
for conservation, and, did not think il
necessary to be in haste. lie asked
MIR. Donaldson to Withdraw his reso
lutiou for the time bsing.
Mr.. Wilson favored the resolution
and said, while it was harmless. il
would reflect upon the good name Of
the State to vote 1t down.
Mr.. johnson said he did not want tt
cross the bridge before he reached it,
lie was opposed to acting before tht
government.
| Mr.. Donaldson, at the conclusion o.
the speech making, obtained leave tt
lay the resolution on the table unit
such time as he should see fit 10 cal
it up.
The members OF the House, at thu
when Mr.. Donaidson asked unanimoul
consent to introduce the bills permitting
the Federal government to hold land il
Delaware and making an appropriation
to be used In increasing the eificienc,
of the National Guard. Consequently
tho usual formality was dispensed witt
aud the hills were read and referred t.
tho committee on Federal relations
consisting of MessrH Dukes, L. s. Hop
kina and Mccoy. The amount In tn,
appropriation bill was left blank, blu
MIR. Donaldson hopes to have the sun
at least s25. 600.
1t was reported hsrs yesterday tina
the Federal authorities had their eyel
upon tract q short distance below
Delaware City, containing 100 acres
which the government contemplated
using for permanent barracks. 1t Glost
] proximity to Furt Delaware wonl6
make it very valuable for this purpose
aud the location would be iirst-clasa fo
IN arsenal.
1t has also been intimateti that tn,
! government contemplated erecting for
tifications Mt or near tho BreakwHter
and there il no doubt about the Stat
J giving tho United States any authority
which may be of any bensiit.
Secretary OF STATE Hughes was askst
, CONCERNING report that the Governo
would sand message to the Legislature
pointing out tho duties OF that h1dy il
] connection with the present condition
of affairs In the country. lie snid b,
knew nothing about such nm Intention
, This Governor was in Dover on Satur
day. but he said nothing then abou
! the matter and Mr. Hughes has re
, ceiveu no comm uni ation from him