New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-31

terposed Mr.. Bland. 1T is a resolution recognizing
the Independence of Cuba, which does not neces-
sarily involve war"
NOT QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
III the resolution falls short Of that" replied
Mr. Hull land | did hear II fully read-if It
falls short OF that point Is not operative. and TO
my mind II does not present any question OF privi-
lege at all. AS have already said. am In favor
Of this Government intervening at the earliest date
unless conditions change materially; that they will
insure the liberty OF the Cubans and cessation Of
the deplorabe conditions that prevail in that island
at the present time. applause the Republican
sde) In favor Of that principle. and state
row and here that will go as far any man on
mis- floor for the purpose Of preserving the rights
OF the struggling patriots in their heroic efforts on
that island applause on the Republican side) and
j am in favor of tho United States controlling the
destinics OF this continent and saying to Spain that
she get out OF the Western Hemisphere But
I willing. sir. TO inject in these proceedings
here to-day proposition to lay aside an appropra-
ton bill for the Navy Ocers and derisive laughter
on tho Democratic side) which contains In itself
no proviso or article OF legislation available TO al
low the gentleman from Texas to come IN and
make a motion OF this character.
The gentleman declares that he Is ready FOR
armed Intervention at any time interrupted NJ:
Bailey. 81 ask the gentleman II he docs not know
Il TO be q fact that the representatives, OF the
Cuban people tell us that all they ask IS 70 De
/
will do the rest?' applause on the Democratic
slde)
81 state to the gentleman in response TO his IN
curry" returned Mr.. Hull. that do not caro-
what the agents OF Cuba want US to do want
tho House to act independently OF any outside IN
nuence with reference 10 these matters ana 10
what is best for the honor and the dignity and
right Of the country" applause on the Repuo-
licGn side)
Mr.. Terry Dem. Ark) argued that question
involving matter OF privilege was in fact one TOT
the House TO decide.
While he was speaking the Republicans were con-
ferring the leaders circulating among tnem'
and much confusion resulted. Mr.. Simpson pop.'
Kan0 raised a laugh amid the excitement by ask
ing for order among the Speakers reconcentra-
dos
NO NEED OF PRECIPITATE ACTION.
Mr.. Hopkins Rep I'D, another or the hepuo-
leans who openly fqvors armed Intervention calea
attention TO the distinction between the resolution
in the precedent cited by Mr.. Bailey and the pres
ont resolution In the former resolution It was
| contended that the dignity OF the House had been
| infringed upon by the Executive. There was no
such contention here There was no pretext that
the resolution affected any member or the dignity
of the House. II simply declaration OF opin-
ion regarding the struggling patriots In CUBA
Under the rules resolutions should go TO the COM
mttee and come back in the regular order L
am not willing for one" he said emphaucay, Ito be
carried off my because OF zeal for the cause
! Of Cuban independence. and trust that not one
! Republican on this floor Will be-. He appealed 10
his colleagues to rally to the support Of the Speak
/ err The Speaker he said. had always expressed a
| WILLINGNESS 10 abide by the sentiment OF the ma
jority The Republican members knew that within
q brief time action wi. be had, there was no
! necessity for resorting revolutionary methods.
! This was not the first Cuban resolution. A num-
Der had been introduced by Republicans within the
/ last few days.
zone has sumbered IN the Foreign Affairs Com
rnittee for six months" nterposed Mr.. Williams
/ Dem Miss). How we 70 secure vote
| upon it?"
"By the action OF the majority OF the House.
Vote upon II now" shouted Mr. Wheeler Dem,
! Ala). amid applause.
SPEAKER REEDS RULING.
Amid profound silence the Speaker then made
his ruling He spoke in deliberate. distinct and
emphatic tones and decided that the resolution
was not privileged IN the following ruling: "a
question OF privilege which concerns the House
Is one which concerns the exercise OF its functions
in accordance with the principles which govern
parliamentary bodies. Every parliamentary body
has TO have rules for its government. otherwise
It would have government at all: and upon
adherence to those rules depends its success a
parliamentary body The rights OF the House
under the Constitution in no way TO be con-
founded with the privileges Of the House, and Of
matter is presented here to-day. Congress has
certain powers conferred upon 1t. and in the ex-
erCise Of those powers each house is governed by
it's rules. It is authorized expressly by the Cons
tuition TO make rules. and without the AUTHORIZE
tion Of the Constitution It would be at liberty to
make rules These rules the protection of
the rights Of the House. Now. It will he noticed
in the Constitution. II gentlemen Will to It,.
that there are certain powers conferred upon Con-
gress-the power TO declare war. the power TO
legisate for the general welfare. and series OF
other enumerated powers. No up to this date
has for instant pretended or suggested that be-
cause the Congress has the right to pass laws
upon certain topics that proposals for those laws
/ become questions Of privilege; never before. ex-
cept once and the Chair will present the decision
the House.
"The same language is used with reference to
relations with foreign nations that is used
with reference to the creation OF the courts Of
law and all other power which is concerned. II Is
| a legislative power. and is exercised under the
Constitution by rules adopted by each body. This
is the first preliminary idea that ought TO have
IN regard TO this matter But this proposition In
regard 10 war or about recognition, any OF those
I subjects which may may not be within our
puryiew do not become questions OF privilege at
all because we have a right 10 pass upon them.
because that would make everything question Of
privilege and end by making nothing a question
Of privilege.
Now, let us see what this Is founded on Ihis
/ is a matter that should not have given any
attention TO EXCEPT in times OF interest not 10
/ say excitement. The gentleman from Maine Mr.
Boutelle) some time ago presented 10 Speaker
/ Crisp a proposition which had in 1t certain ele-
mcnts charging that the Executive was inter-
fering with some of the rights and privileges
OF the legislative body. The Speaker ruled that
II was a question Of privilege and you will per-
ceiye that IT is entirely different from the pres
ent propostion has no aspect like II at all. not
the fantest resemblance TO 1t; but the Speaker
ruled that that was privileged question. He also
ruled that. being a privileged question. It should
20 10 a committee. We'll, now against that doc
trlne the Chair has always been opposed and the
question as members will see It by turning TO The