The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-19
HOT FIGHT
OVER CUBA.
Representatives Divided
on Party Lines.
THE RULES WERE UPHELD
Recognition Motion a Rider on Ap.
preparation Bill.
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN HOUSE.
THE RULES WERE UPHELD
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN HOUSE


would he set aside and the senate reso-
lution recognizing the insurgents as
belligerents would be attached as rider
to the diplomatic and consular appro-
prlation bill. Mr.. DeArmond (Dem.,
MOI precipitated the issue by offering
the resolution as an amendment. but
point of order against II was sustained.
Mr.. DeArmond appealed. For months,
he declared those in control had declined
TO allow the house TO consider what the
people OF the country. without regard 10
party desired, namcl. that congress
consider and lct upon this question of
recognizing the oelligerency ot the strug-
Cling patriots in Cuba. When the peo-
pie OF the country felt as they did IL was
the duty of members to override petty
rules which had been used TO suppress
action The newspapers were filled daily
with narrowing tales OF starvation and
cruelty in Gu "a. Should we emulate the
example of Nero. who fiddled while Rome
burned. and sit suplnely and indifferently
By when men almost within sight Of our
shores We're lighting valorously for prin-
ciples as holy as patriots ever espoused
OF heroes ever defended? He taunted
the Republicans with being subservient
to those who desired To prevent action
on this question. Further inaction he
insisted was a disgrace to American
manhood. The autonomy offered by
Spain. he declared. was revolving
mockery. sham and a delusien. He
warned the other side that the question
could not he evaded or lodged that with
this opportunity before them they could
la 10 20 nj
plead the rules as an excuse for non
action.
Mr.. Steele ORep., Ind) and Mr.. Hit
both called the attention OF the chair
10 the fact that Mr. DeArmond was not
discussing the point of order.
Mr.. DeArmond we'll understood this.
but he would not finch from his purpose
II the point Of order were sustained he
declared that il was his purpose To APP
peal from the decision OF the chair and
give the house the opportunity 10 de-
termine this question for itself He felt
constrained to do this he said. out Of
sense of public duty.
Mr.. Bailey. the Democratic leader re-
enforced the views OF Mr.. DeArmond.
arguing that a proposition TO recognize
q state of war in Cuba was certainly
germane TO this bill. IL had been his
purpose, he said, TO have offered the
senate Cuban belligerency resolution an
an amendment. The climax OF his
speech came when he dramatically of
fered To withdraw the amendment IL Mr.
Hit, the chairman OF the foreign af-
fairs committee. would give assurances
that the senate resolution would receive
consideration within a reasonable time.
The Democrats applauded this chal-
lenge 20 the echo. Mr.. Bailey paused TO
avail. Mr. Hi;ts answer. but Mr. Hit
did not rise. THE gentleman" ditto.
added Mr Bailey, lis as silent as the
.'epuhiiCan party on this question"
Again the Democrats cheered and the
galleries also aDplauded Then Mr.. Hit
rose. but, In 'tead OF replying TO Mr..
Bailey challenge he called the attention
Of the chair 10 the fact that Mr.. Bailey
was not discussing the point OF order.
TT IL an attempt 10 have two general
debates" said he
The Democrats jeered this statement
Mr.. Hepburn in the chair then sustained
the point of order, whereupon MIR De-
Armond. In order To get the question be-
fore the house in better form. offered
the senate cuban resolution as an
amendment. and when II was overruled
made his appeal from the decision OF
the chair.
BY this time the greatest excitement
existed in the house. The galleries had
filed to overfiowing and messengers had
been sent scurrying to all quarters Of the
capitol to summon Republicans who were
absent from the hall 1t was evident
that there was fear on the part of the
house managers that the house might be
carried off it's feet on this first occasion
Of test Of the sentiment toward Cuba.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader Of the
majority characterized Mr.. DeArmond's
appeal from the decision of the chair as
most extraordinary proposition. II
was proposition to override the rules
he said and establish a new mode of
procedure and 10 destroy the orderly
transaction Of business. Many n time"
he was saying. II might have been
tempted for partisan purposes
Then the gentleman comedies this 1.
partisan q estion," shouted Mr.. Terry
Dem.. Ark) that the Democrats are
on one side and the Republicans on the
other"
Mr. DeArmond got the floor again and
urged members on both sides Co vote "tn
free this house for one hour from do
minion so basolute that 10 is impossible
TO get consideration for any matter. no
matter how important or urgent with.
out the consent OF those in authority In
the house. 'it seems" he added. ironi-
cally, TO bs our lofti,ast duty 10 observe
the petty. shifting rules OF the house nc
matter whore they lead or what the ex.
gencies of the time demand"
Again Mr.. Hit protested that the
debate WIS not on the queytion before
the house. and again the minNrity jeered
II am sticking as close TO my text"
shouted Mr.. DeArmond "as Mr.. Ding.
lev did" Mr. DeArmond declared that
no code OF " les should violate the plain
dictates of humanity and dccency.
Mr Slmpson u'op.. kanD stated that
the speaker t11uself had vt0tIted the rulI
10 by nut appointing the committees oi
the house
The chair Nas sustained. lsa 10 ia
..t..a-..l.e ,,sffB H. .rlf o.