The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-22

Washington April 19.-After m of
the hardest fought battles between the
two houses known in many years, con-
gress at an early hour this morning
came to an agreemnt upon the most
momentous question it has dealt with
nm a third Of a century.
The Cuban resolution was passed and
will be sent 70 the president this morn
ing. It's provisions means the expul-
sion of Spain from the island of Cuba
Boy the armed forces of the United
States. There were many roll calls in
both houses and each body held tena-
ciously for it's own resolution. The con-
6erees had great difficulty in agreeing.
the first conference showed a determi-
nation on the part of the house not to
yield a single point and it was only af-
ter long consultations with the house
LADDERS that they agree to allow the lit
tie words ARE and" in the first sec
tion of the senate resolution, which de-
r1ares that the people of Tuba are and
of right ought to be free and indepen-
dent. The resolution as finally adopt
ed is that reported from the senate
committee on foreign relations with the
addition of the fourth section, known
as the Teller amendment disclaiming
any intention on the part of the United
States to acquire Cuba. The resolu-
tion cannot he sent to the president
until after it is signed by the presiding
officers today.
SENATE.
NY oc1ip ntop ApY.il 1S -SbOrt1v after
the senate convened this morning Sen
ator RaWlins, Of Utah, presented a
legal argument pom the question
whether the authority to recognize a
foreign nation rested exclusively With
the president. He was given only
slight attention, as Within a minute
after he began to speak the action of
the house on the senate CUBA resolu-
tiOnS was whispered about the cham
her and that Immediately became the
sole topic Of interest.
Senator Mason, of Illinois, presented
and had referred to the naval commit
tee a resolution extending the thanks
of congress to Captain Sigsbee.
At 2:35 o'clock p. m. the Cuban reso-
lution adopted by the senate on Sat
urady night and agreed to 10y the hous
today with certain amendments was
laid before the senate.
Senator Davis, chairman OF the Nor
eign relations committee, in order that
the senate might settle the question,
moved to concur in the house resolu-
lions. The motion was defeated-5l
10 46.
Senator Davis then moved that the
senate insist upon it's 10
the house resolution and that the pres
ident of the senate appoints its CONFER
eeS.
The first part of Senator Davis mo-
tion was agreed to, but the second part,
after a rather heated debate, was de-
feated-34 to 43.
Consideration of the sundry civil bill
was then resumed, Ibut in a snort Tune
the clerk of the u of representa-
tives presented to the senate the
houses notification that the house mad
insisted upon it's amendments and ASK
ed for a conference The message was
at once laid before the senate.
Senator Davis moved that the senate
disagree to the house amendments and
that the request for a conference ne
agreed to and further that the vic
president appoint the confereees.
Senator Allen asked for d division or
the question and the conference doheu
was agreed to.
There was some discussion about the
appointmen of conferrees, the sena-
tors favoring free Cuba aying the ma
jority ought to be represented on the
conference.
After an animated discussion the lat
ter part of Senator Davis motion was
agreed to. And the vice presldent APP
pointed as conferees on the part on tine
senate Senators Davis FORAKER anu
Morgan. LIT,
T,he senate then tool a recess until
s o'clock.
The long-waited for situation, the
return of the conferees came at S:lO
o'clock o.. m. There was a visible SUR
in the galleries as the chairman OF the
conference committee, Senator laws
rose to present the report and make
his statement to the senate. BY TINS
time nearly every senator was In MS
seat and the interest became intense
as it was whispered about that an
agreement had been reached. senator
Davis said that in conformity with the
instructions of the senate the cOnferees
met a like committee from the house
and that after full and free discussion
he had to report that the conferees
failed to reach an agreement.
There was intense silence. 1t was
the unexpected that had happened and
then a half sigh was heard over the
crowded galleries that all the eloquence
the logic and the exhaustive presenta-
ton of every phase of the pending pro-
position must go for naught.
Senator Davis hen stated the points
of disagreement: hat there had been
no difficulty to agree to the house res
olution as amended, but the point OF
contention arose over the insertion OF
the words ARE and in the first sec
ton, which says the people Of Cuba
"are, and of right ought to be, free
and independent" He said the MAORI
ty of the conferees had agreed to waive
the Turpie amendment, providing that
the words above mentioned be
inserted. But the senate conferees
were met with refusal to so agree and
he reluctantly reported the same to
the senate.
Senator Morgan and Senator Fora
ker explained their positions.
Senator Cockrell, Of Missouri, then
offered a motion to insist upon the SEN
ate resolution. Whereupon Senator
Morgan SAID in a loud voice he had
not yielded the republic of Cuba as a
member of the conference committee.