Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-05

presented. TO place the responsibility loI
the crime upon the Spanish Government,
through its authorized officials.
This most hideous crime Of the nine
teenth century" declared Mr.. Perkins,
was an act OF war, and | believe 1t is so
regarded by the nations Of the world.
No offer of reparation could wipe out the
public feeling upon the matter. and in
tensity had been added by the almost
| frivolous manner in which the disaster
| had been treated by Spain. The only
honorable action for this country now 10
take was to intervene, and free Cuba
from the yoke of Spain.
VOICES FOR WAR.
Mr.. Mantle, of Montana, followed with
an extended speech upon the absorbing
| topic of cuba, in which he declared that
| he favored the inpendence Of the Cuban
people, who for years had been struggling
| for their freedom. Il would" said he,
give my unqualified enforcement and
vote In favor Of mrecting the President
| TO use the armed forces, both land and
naval. to suppress the savagery that Is
now rampant upon that fair Island.
The time for action had arrived, and
the sooner II was taken the better IL
would be for ali concerned.
Mr.. Rawlins. of Utah, said the case
|
made up. II was no longer for the EXecu-
| five TO decide what course 10 pursue.
with Congress rested the responsibility
OF declaring war, and as this was the
pressing duty the President was no longer
| the party to be criticised, II any one
was TO be. Congress can, II II Will ne
| said. decide to have peace with incldehtal
outrage and clandestne murder. As Tor
! himself. he did not choose 10 accept
peace under such circumstances
| Mr.. Rawlns opposed further delay. The
| destruction OF the Maine and the clan
| destine murder of 266 Of our sailors had
occurred forty-eight days since. But TINS
| was not all. For three years the Spa
| nish authorities had been imprisoning
! and numbering American citizens. or
these facts the Executive doubtless had
been fully advised by the consular re-
norris. but these reports had been with
| held on the plea that il would endanger
tho safety Of our officials I'm cuba TO give
| them out. II this were true II revealed
a wretched state OF AFFAIRS.
PRESIDENTIAL DELAY.
Continuing. Mr. Rawlins said delay
had been sought last week by the friends
Of the President, on the plea that mes
| sage was soon 10 be sent in from the
| President. which would meet all the de-
| mands OF the country. At the same time
| the private and confidential secretary OF
| the President was sending a message 70
! his friends. urging them to the utmost
! exertion to bring pressure 10 bear TO Sc
| cure peace.
Mr.. Rawlins criticised our hating
policy IN strong language. saying that II
was such as to justify Spain in holding
| the United States I'm contempt. He sdded
| trat the crime OF the explosion or the
| Maine was due 10 our own indecision ana
| cowardice. aud that such an act would
| never have been perpetrated upon any
other nation.
In conclusion, Mr.. Rawlins made an
| argument for an absolute declaration ol
war, instead OF a declaration for armed
intervention.
The sundry civil appropriation bill was
then taken up. At o'clock the Senate
went into executive session, and soor
afterwards adjourned.
HOUSE GALLERY OUTBREAK.
| While there was no attempt to force
consideration of "A resolution regarding
the Cuban situation IN the House to-day
there was brief outbreak, In the course
Of which the warlike temper OF th'
crowded galleries was 20 manifested tina
Speaker Reed threatened to clear theh
If the disturbance was repeated.
The outbreak occurred over motor
by Mr.. Cannon TO pass the Senate reso
luton 10 authorize the President TO erec
temporary foFtifcations, In case OF emer
gency. upon hand, ghen the written con
sent of the owners Is obtained. wlthou
awaiting the long PROCESS OF Legislation
for condemnation. This led 10 "a demand
from Mr. Bailey. the Democratic leader
for Information as TO the facts Whlci
warranted all these war measures. lh'
| particular statement which aroused IN
galleries was 10 the effect that Whlle III
| Democrats were willing TO wait any red
sonable time for the President TO trans
init a message that would meet the ap
provaI of the American people, the!
| would not wait minute for him 10 con
tinue negotiations with "the butchers o
Spain." When the demonstrations in tn
galleries were rebuked by the Speaker
be declared that the galleries were IN
American people In miniature. Mr. Balle
was accused of posturing and playing u
the galleries. .. -,
MIR Lentz. Of Ohio, said he thought al
amendment he desired to offer 10 recos
nize the independence OF Cuba should
attached to the bill. Spain had recos
nized the Confederacy within thirty day
after Sumter was fred on. Why shoul
we hesitate?
IMPORTANT STATEMENT.
Mr. Williams Democrat, Of MISSISSIPPI
q member Of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee. at this juncture made an III
nortant statement, considering the fac
that the committee had adjourned Wllhi
an hour, and some disclosures had pee
made which sealed the lips OF all IN
members of the committee, RepubHcdH
; and Democrats alike He said the pre-
posed amendment at TINS uihe "da IL
n,nortune 81 believe" said he. "tha
,iben we move we should move i'm phalan
and in line. on this side our position
known and understood by the countr!
To emphasize it now might do MOI
harm than good
As an emergency war measure, Il
, would. he said, support the bill.
! Mr. Maddox DemocraO, OF Georgi;
tbought Congress and the country shoul
; ba f1lIv informed of all the facts regarC
inc the crisis. so that members could pro
coed with deliberution. II there was [
D he war il would be the war Of the peopl
e of the United States and not Of any par
p but there should be no hasty, impetuou
5 pIunge into war The members of IN
) Congress of 1861, said, he. plunged IN
country into war. and then caretully nj
, away in their bomb-proofs ana above
+. others to do the fighting. lie thougf
$ every member should be willing TO mgr
before he asked others TO hghI (Al
4 plause)
r ranged that the army reorganization bi
3 should be taken up on Wednesday unlss
"a a report was made from the Commltte
| on Foreign Affairs.