The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-14
MESSRS. JOHNSON AND MIERS
AMONG THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED
IN SENSATIONAL INCIDENTS.
Minority Resolutions Defeated by n
Vote of lat to 19O-Mr. BaiIey's
Protest-Other Speeches.

WASHINGTON. April 13-The House of
Representa- atives to-day, after one of the
most exciting and memorable days in it's
history by a vote of 322 to -, adopted a
resolution which nne-tenths of it's men,
bers believe makes war with Spain inevi-
table. 1t is fact which was grimly com
mented on to-day by members as they
spoke of the future that every war in
which the United States has engaged be-
gan in April, and that to-day the an
niversary of the fall of Fort Sumter, which
aroused the patriotic fervor of the North
and made the four years of civil strife a
certainty. The resolutions adopted direct
the President to intervene at once in Cuba
to restore peace and secure to the people
of that island "a stable and independent
government of their own and authorizes
him to use the army and navy to execute
the purpose of the resolutions. Although
only nineteen members-ffteen Democrats,
three Republicans and one Populist-dis-
sented on the final vote, the proceedings
were marred by a bitter and acrimonious
display of partisan feeling. During the
height of the excitement the lie was passed
| between Mr.. Brumm (Rep., Pa) and Mr..
Bartlett Dem., Ga.), and a disgraceful scene
followed that almost descended to the level
of a free fight. Mr.. Bartlett hurled book
| at his adversary, and in a minute half a
! hundred members were fighting like fiends
| Order was finally restored and later the two
members found that the alteration had
arisen out of misunderstanding, where
upon there was mutual apologies. Later in
the proceedings the speaker was Obliged to
tba MT far will
his silver mace, the emblem of the Houses
| authority, to seat Mr.. johnson, of Indiana,
who was Indignantly demonstrating against
| what he termed 1.-The unnecessary war into
| which the country was being plunged"
| Only forty minutes were given for debate,
| and a special rule was required to get the
| resolutions before the House. The minority
| resolutions, which declared for the recogni-
| tion of the existing government of the in
| surgents, were voted down-147 to 19O-but
| they secured the votes of three Republic
| ans Some stirring and patriotic sentiments
| were voiced during the debate which lifted
| the galleries and the members to high
! pitch of enthusiasm. Mr.. Adams, Of Penn
| sylvania, acting chairman of the foreign af-
| fairs committee, and Mr.. Dinsmore (Dem.,
| Ark), the senior minority member of the
! committee were the only members who had
! an opportunity TO speak directly to the reso-
lutions, but General Henderson, of Iowa
Mr.. Bailey, of Texas. and Mr.. McMillin, of
Tennessee. each made speeches on the
| special order.
! GALLERIES CROWDED.
! The Capitol was again like a beleaguered
citadel. Thousands upon thousands swarm
ed into the corridors and galleries to wit
| ress the stirring scenes and hear the stir
| ring oratory. The galleries of the House
were a solid mass of humanity and on the
! floor members in excited groups were dis
| cussing the situation Mr. Adams acting
! chairman of the foreign affairs committee,
came into the hall with a copy of the Sem
ate resolutions and was Immediately sur
rounded and forced to read aloud to half
hundred members who gathered in the
main aisle.
The bill was passed to.allow importations
| for exhibitions at the Texas state fair at
Dallas, in October 1898, to be admitted free
of duty Other trivial matters occupied the
attention of the House for the next hour
| while the members on the floor and the
! spectators in the galleries impatiently
! awaited the presentation of the resolution
| from the committee on foreign affairs. The
| suspense of the members was almost unen-
! durable, but shortly before o'clock Mr.
man of the committee, entered the hall
with the report. Instantly hush fell upon
| the vast assembage The presentation of
| the resolution was the occasion for a wild
| outbarst of applause from the galleries and
| the floor. 1t was evident that the war spirit
| was rampant Mr.. Adams asked unani-
! nous consent for consideration of the reso-
| lutions and Mr. Bailey reserved the right
] to object saying that whether he objected
| or not would depend upon whether a fair
! understanding as to the length of the debate
! could be reached.
/ The Speaker-Is there objection?
II ask for the regular oder" shouted Mr.
| Quigg CRep., n. W
| Which is objection observed Mr.
Bailey.
! rs there objecton?" asked the speaker
| still holding his gavel aloft
| Mr.. Bailey sought to interpose with re-
| quest that the minority resolutions be read.
| but the speaker insisted that if objection
was to be made it must be made then.
| THE chair is determined to try to force
| the minority" cried Mr.. Bailey amid
much confusion and cries of regular order
/ Then Mr.. Bailey turned and facing the
/ other side, entered his objection In en-
| phatic tones. The whole Democratic side
rose ,en masse.
! They are simply playing for political adj
vantage and the people of the country ought
/ to know it, shouted Mr.. Richardson (Dem
! Tennesee)
There is a perfect understanding with
the Democratic members of the foreign af-
! fairs committee on this point" replied Mr.
Henderson rep, Iowa.)
"That is not true if we are to understand
| that any such arrangement as this was
! agreed to-" retorted Mr.. Richardson
At this Juncture occurred the sensational