The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-18

| tcnomy. as Campos did at tie close Of the
| ten-year war. He has, of course, q few
| personal followers, but the army and
Spanish Cubans do not want genuine su-
tonomy, for that means government by the
| Cuban people. And IL is said that the Gu
bans say II comes too late. ! have never
| had any communication. direct or indirect.
| with the junta in this country or with any
| of its members, nor did ! have with any OF
| tie junta which exists in every city and
| large town of Cuba. One OF the calls l
made was on parties OF whose sympathies
| | had the least knowledge. except that
| knew some OF them we're cassed as au-
| tonomists Most OF my informants were
| business men who had no sides and rarely
expressed themselves. | had no means OF
| guessing in advance what their answers
| would be, and was in most cases greatly
surprised at their frankness. i inquired
| in regard to autonomy OF men OF wealth
! and men as prominent In business as any
! in the cities OF Havana. Matanzas and Sa-
grs-'.bankers, merchants lawyers and au-
! economist officials-soma OF them Spanish
| horn but Cuban bred, one prominent Eng
| lishman all of them known as autono
.nists. all OF them telling me that they
| were believers in autonomy II practicable,
| but they replied that II Was too late sor
| that Some favored United States pro-
] tectoratc, some annexation. some fires
| Cuba: not one has been counted favoring
I
ress men and wanted peace. but said 1t
was too late for pence under Spanish SOW
ereignty. They characterized Weyler's or
der in strong terms | could not but con-
GLIDE that you do not have to scratch an
autonorlist very deep to find u Cuban.
There Is soon 10 be an election. but every
polling place must be inside fortified
town Such elections ought to be safe fol-
the ms ] have endeavoTed to state in not
Incorporate mood what ! saw and heard,
to make no argument thereon, bit leave
every one 10 draw his own conclusions. To
me the strongest appeal is not the bar
barity practiced by Weyler Bor the loss O.
the Maine II our worst fears should prove
true. probable as are both OF these Incl
deets. but the spectacle of million and
half people struggling for freedom
"our action ought not to be influenced
however. by any one or all these things;
but II 1t is how far, Is another question.
] am not in favor Of annexation. not be-
cause would apprehend any particular
trouble from IL, but because 1t Is not wise |
policy to take In any people OF foreign |
tongne and training and without any |
strong guiding American element. The |
fear that II free the people of Cuba would i
lie revolutionary is not so well founded az
has been supposed and the conditions for |
good self government are far more favor
able. The large number OF educated and |
patriotic men. the great sacrifices they
have endured. the peaceable temperament
OF the people. white and black, the won
derful prosperity that would come sur ely |,
with peace and good home rule. the influx
Of Americans and English immigration and
money would all be strong factors Tor I
stable institutions.
But II is not my purpose at this time.
nor DO consider ii my privilege 10 SIG
gest any plan. merely speak OF the con-
ditions as ! saw them. but do not UNDER
take 10 prescribe Such remedial steps as
may be required may safely be left. to
an American president and the American
people,
Throughout the delivery OF the address
there was not an interruption. With the
closest attention every person within hear
ing listened to the statement. At the con-
clusion there was no demonstration either
on the floor or in the galleries, although
senators here and there about the chamber
turned one to another with such unusual
remarks on the senate floor as "a re-
markable statement "A simple. straight
forward statement OF a horrible condition
OF afairs. "A most effective and convinc-
Ing statement" "A temperate and timely
utterance," and similar comments. Mr..
Proctor left the senate chamber soon after
he had finished his address, but not before
he had been congratulated by many OF his
colleagues.
During the morning session the follow
hIg bills We're passed:
4 Authorizing the Nebraska, Kansas and
Gulf railroad to construct railway
through the Idian Territory. To prohibit
railroad companies from charging more
tran cents per mile for carrying passsn-
gers through the Indian Territory.
At 2 o'clock the consideration OF the
National quarantine bill was resumed.
Mr. Bacon (Ga.) maintained that the
matter OF quarantine was no; sectional
question, all parts OF the United States
being liable to epidemlcs.
u favor he said "ali the all the gov
eminent can give IN the preventio. OF
epidemics and the stamping out Of dis ass
but do not favor regulation Will h wi
deny TO State or co1rmunity the right 10
protect Itself By quarantine regulations"
After brief executive session the senate
At 400 '. N. adjourned till Monday.