The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-07
WORK OF CONGRESS

the Democratic leader, attempted to
force the hand Of the Republicans
upon a proposition to oyerrule the
speaker and pass a resolution recog-
nizing the independence of the Cuban
republic He was cheered in the
crowded galleries, but the members of
the majority refused to support him.
Many OF them sympathized with the
purpose of the resolution, Mr. Hull,
chairman of the military committee,
going so far as to endorse the propo-
sition under the impression that it
provided for declaration of war, but
most of the radicals who were in favor
of any sort of revolutionary methods
had been won over to the policy of
sticking to the party organization and
refusing to do anything until the in
itiativc came from their side. There
were rallied by two Of the leading adj
vocates Of armed intervention, and
The Speaker Himself,
from the chair, made an indirect ap-
peal to his party associates to stand
firm, at the same time iutimating that
If their Impotence was curbed a lit
tunity they coveted. When the vote
was taken only two Republicans,
Messrs. Acheson and Robbins Of Penn
sylvania, broke from party lines.
About a dozen more sat silent in their
seats and refused to vote. The scene
throughout was most dramatic, and
the members and spectators in the
galleries were wrought up to q high
pitch Of excitement. Several times
later in the day during the considera-
ton of the naval bill whenever the
Cuban question was preached the
members swarmed about the speaker
and the galleries cheered. This was
especially the case when Mr.. Cum
mings Of New York spoke. Mr.. Rou-
telle, who objected to request for ex-
tension of his time. was Kissed. The
only important action on the naval
bill was the refusal Of the chair TO sus-
tain point Of order against the pro-
vision for a floating steel dock at Al
giers, La.
In the Senate.
Permission was granted by the SEN
ate for the foreign relations commit
tee to sit during the sessions of the
senate Following this action a reso-
luton providing for the recognition of
the independence Of cuba introduced
Tuesday by Mr.. Allen of Nebraska
was, at the request Of Mr.. Frye Of
Maine, referred to the foreign rela-
tons committee without debate Be-
You'd these two points no reference
was made by tho senate to the Cuban
question. Mr. Gallery of Louisiana
concluded his speech on the national
quarantine bill, after which the meas
ure making further provision for a
civil government for Alaska was
passed.
Washington, April l. - For three
oil Ionic
members of the house listened to q
passionate outbust of oratory on the
Cuban question, during which the in
tensity of feeling was alternately man
ifested by cheers, jeers and Kisses.
The three speeches which stirred the
assemblage to its depths were made
by Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio, who, it was
assumed, spoke for the administration,
and who practically pledged it to the
cause of free Cuba; Mr.. Bailey of Tex
as, the Democratic leader, who, an
nounced the Democratic position as for
free Cuba, without war if it could be
avoided, but with war if necessary,
and Mr.. Johnson of Indiana, who
spoke for peace, declaring that it was
our duty to go to the extreme in mag
nanimity in order to avoid the horrors
OF war. Mr.. Lewis, a Democrat from
Washington, provoked the speech of
Mr.. johnson, which aroused the men,
bers and the galleries to the fever
pitch of excitement. Mr. Lewis had
denounced the proposition that Cuba
purchase her freedom from Spain,
which, it was alleged, the administra-
ton was fostering. Then it was that
Mr.. Johnson, in a brilliant speech,
pleaded for peace. He faced the storm
Of Kisses which swept down upon him
from the galleries, like Spartan, and
with passionate utterances adjured
members to pause before they plunged
The Country Into War,
the evils of which would follow after
in endless train. The house has had
before illustrations of Mr.. Johnson's
fearlessness, but none so striking as
this, when he espoused the unpopular
cause and pleaded to let diplomacy
have it's way. At the same time he
gave it as his opinion that if an ulti-
matum had been sent to Spain it
meant war, as Spain's pride would not
permit her to humiliate herself before
the world. He eulogized every inf1u-
ence that made for peace and declared
his belief that the Cuban junta would
agree to pay $1OO,O0O,OOO for the in
dependence of the island. Mr.. Bailey.
the Democratic leader, was quick to
seize the advantage which Mr.. John
sons position had afforded, and in a
ringing speech which set his followers
and the galleries wild, he announced
his belief, from what Mr.. Johnson had
said, that the purpose of the Repub-
licans in refusing to join with the
Democrats was to give the administra-
ton an opportunity to compel the Gu
ban patriots to buy the independence
they had won from the butchers of
Spain. He said he. too, deplored war,
and in describing it's awful horrors as
Southern people had known them,
drew tears from the eyes of some OF
his colleagues. He declared there was
yet,a
Chance tc Avert War
In conclusion he said the Democrats
were for free Cuba, without war if
possible, with war if necessary. This
speech of Mr.. Bailey's drew the fire
of the administration spokesman on
the floor, Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio.
With his reply the climax of the day
was reached. He charged Mr.. Bailey
with attempting to make political CAPT
tai. He denounced the statements
that the administration intended to
force Cuba to buy her freedom as the