Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-04-20

were trying to get at each other over
the benches, but they were borne back
by friends. Mr.. Bartlett, who is a
slight man, was carried off his feet,
and Mr.. Miers Of Indiana, stalwart,
broad-shouldered man, blocked the
path of Mr.. Brumm, who is himself
evidently man of great physical vigor.
In his efforts to stop Mr. Brumm, Mr..
Miers became involved with Mr.. Pierce
of Missouri, and they almost came to
blows.
All this time the gavel of the speak
and his voice was commanding the
sergeant-at-arms to restore order
Armed with the great silver mace, the
emblem OF the authority of the house.
Col. Russell. the sergeant-at-arms, re-
peatedly charged the thick mass OF
struggling members, but was as often
swept aside. At last by the efforts OF
dozen muscular members the belliger-
ents We're separated the angry legis-
lators retired to their seats and sem
blance of order was restored. 1t was
one of the most disgraceful scenes wit
messed in the house in many years.
The effort to get the resolutions be-
fore the house having failed, the COM
mittee on rules retired and formulated
a special order, which was brought in
a few minutes later, which Gen. Hen
derson presented. 1t provided for the
immediate consideration of the resolu-
tons presented by the foreign affairs
committee. The house was at this time
still laboring under a great stress of
suppressed excitement. Partisan feel
ing was still rampant. Mr.. Henderson
explained that the rule did not propose
to close debate.
Il and my colleagues" replied Mr..
Bailey, heartily agree to the rule
which provides for the immediate con-
sideration of this important resolu-
ton. But there is radical difference
between the resolutions reported by
the majority and those reported by the
minority. There ought to be time and
opportunity allowed for those of us
who think the minority resolution the
wiser to point out to the house and
to the country the reasons for our be-
lief. And yet 1 know as well as the
members on that side that these reso-
buttons, involving the question of peace
or war, are to be rushed through this
body with a short and insufficient de-
bate, and that, too, when every man in
the country knows that nothing can
be done until the senate acts, and you
know that the senate will act with
proper elaboration"
Mr.. Johnson rep, Ind) entreated
Mr.. Henderson mot to be ungenerous
enough to move the previous question
until other gentlemen have had the
right to be heard"
Mr.. Henderson declined to yield, but
he granted few minutes to Mr.. Nc
Millin (dem., TENN, member of the
committee on rules.
Mr.. McMillin favored the adoption
of the resolution at once. saying: 80
far as / am concerned. and ! believe
represent the members en- this side of
the house. we are not only in favor of
free Cuba, but we intend that the presi-
dent shall not stand in the way of that
freedom"
Mr.. Henderson in closing the debate
criticised severely the position taken
by Mr.. Bailey. He demanded the pre-
vious question against the loud pro-
tests of Mr. Johnson Qnd.), who be-
came so violent in his denunciation of
this effort to stifle debate and not al
low a ..remonstrance against the I'M
necessary war into which the country
was to be plunged" that the speaker
had to appeal to the sergeant-at-arms
to compel him to take his seat.
The rule was then adopted and the
resolutions were again presented, to-
gether with those of the minority,
which were to be offered as substi
tute.
Mr. Adams, the acting chairman Of
the committee, closed the debate. He
reviewed the half century OF Span
ish misrule in Cuba which had kept
the United States in a ferment polite
ally and financially and the history of
the cruelties and barbarity of the pres
emit war on the island.
The vote was then taken on the sub
stitute resolutions, and they were de-
feated--147 to 1870. Messrs. Beach (rep..
o.. Dorr (rep., w. Va.) and Mann rep.
I'D, voted with the democrats and
the populists for the substitute.
Mr.. Dinsmore then moved to recon-
nit with instructions to report back
an amendment recognizing the indie
pendence of Euba. 1t also was lost
146 to 1870. The vote was then taken
on the adoption of the majority reso-
buttons, and they were adopted-322
to 10.
Following is the text of the resolu-
tons adopted:
Whereas, That the government of
Spain for three years has been waging
war on the island of Cuba against
revolution by the inhabitants thereof
without making any substantial prog
ress toward the suppression of said rev.
olution. and has conducted the war
fare in a manner contrary to the laws
of nations. by methods inhuman and
uncivilized, causing the death by star
walton of more than 100000 innocent
non- combatants, the victims being for
n