The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-17
FREE CUBA IN THE HOUSE
DaIIying Policy of the Admins
tralion ROundIy Denounced.
PEOPLES DEMANDS IGNORED
If the President win Make One
Move in Favor OF the Island the
People VIII Stand by Him as
one Mau-Animated Discussion
by the Members.


in the House 10y the Democratic members,
and among that number was AIR. Cochran
Of Missouri He said that we live IN
peculiar atmosphere one in which the
stock ticker at London and New York
had connection with the White House,
and that il had had more influence for 4
year than the voice Of the whole Ameri-
can people. He reminded the House that
more than n year ago it had approved of
an acknowledgement Of the rights of
Cuba. and asserted that had IL not been
for brokers and finanCiers and a sub
sidized press cuba would long ago have
been free.
In reply TO a question Mr. Cochran
said thar he did not believe that now
the Government should recognize the in
dependence Of Cuba. but that if her bel
ligerent rights were recognized by this
Government ii would place the island in
g position which would enable her to
treat with Spain for independence. In
an outburst OF oratory, Mr.. Cochran de-
clared that if belligerent rights had been
given Cuba eighteen months ago the
Spaniards would, by this time, have been
driven from the island. He denounced
the Administration for having so long re-
fused TO recognize belligerency and now
TO talk about independence.
After referring 10 the appropriation of
100000 by Congress for the purpose Of
ending the Cuban struggle Mr.. Cochran
ridicuIed the idea that II was a peace
measure lie depiored the appropria-
ton if il were to be SO considered. In his
opinion the President would ignore the
demands Of the people and Congress and
would attempt 10 settle the diff
Guilty with Spain on a peace basis; that
he would demand payment for the loss of
the Maine and sailors; that this would
take five or six weeks correspondence in
a diplomatic way, and that then il was
probable the termination would be in
an international court, and that so on,
month after month, the Administration
would drag the affair along.
Mr.. Cochran Indignantly asked if Con-
gress intended TO adjourn under
such circumstances without recognizing
-he beIligerency or independence of Gu
ba-
we are told that Congress will be adj
journed,' he said. BY whom? What
does it mean? Who can adjourn Con-
gress al such time as this?"
Continuing. Mr.. Cochran cited many au-
thoriIes 10 show that behigerency could
under international law be recognized.
but without reading them, because of
limited time, he asked permission to
print them in the Congressional Record
In conclusion, he said, eloquently, that
If the President viii make but one
move in the favor of Cuba the people of
this country will stand by him as one
man. and II he takes a step backward
he viii hear from them in a most vigor-
Gus manner"
Mr. Grosvenor Explains
In answer TO Mr.. Cochran's demand to
know who viii adjourn Congress, Gen.
Groyenor Of Ohio said:
Il want TO call the attention of the
House 10 the singular anxiety that was
manifested by the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Cochran in regard TO the
rUmor current in the country that some
Cody has organized a scheme to take the
House Of Representatives. by the throat
and send IL home. 10 abolish the indepen-
dence Of the Senate, and proceed 10 the
adjustment Of all national complications
without consulting the representatives of
the people.
Now, if the gentleman will bear in
mind one or TWO things, ] think his anx-
icty VIII be set at rest. one fact for him
10 remember is that the Congress Of the
United States is an independent body:
ana there Is no power on earth to put
an end 10 its sessions without its own
VIII excepting the Constitution. and that
VIII give this House OF Representatives
IN my opinion. much longer term than
Inc cuban controversy viii be in exis-
fence. It would be well for the gentleman
10 bear in mind that during the last
ninety days propositions OF the most alb
surd character have filled the ears Of the
public, which, as compared with this one
are ten times more stupendous-not much
more ridiculous, Tor that would hardly
be possible.
no fr=r~
hesitation on this point because | have
discovered within the last two or three
DAYS that there Is some doubt about nv
having any Independent existence in this
world Every time l have spoken some
newspaper has said that ] was spea king
ior somebody and my own identity has
been substantially lost. Uaughterl.
want 70 say that ] know no more
about these matters than does any other
man IN the United States with average
intelligence But the suggestion that the
president OF the United States has fixed
date for adjournment. or that he wishes
10 TX a date, or that he has in his mind
any desire that this Congress shall adj
9olfn al any time more than another is
absolutely without foundation. and TO my
mind simply ridiculous in the bargain.
" no can adjourn Congress- Does any,
BODY know any power short Of the ma
Jority Of the House Of Representatives
that can do it2 Does anybody suppose
that any American citizen who has been
honored with a seat in this Congress
viii vote for final adjournment when in
his Judgment, and according 10 the die
iates OF his conscience, the House Of
Representatives in doing so would evade
q public duty? This is All ! have n
say" applause.
Has Congress Surrendered2
Mr. Sullivan Of Mississippi declared that
ne had for a long time felt that some
thing should be done by this country for
cuba, and that he would do all that he
could for the suffering people on that ISL
and and that he believed the President
intended 10 DO what he could for them
Mr. Norton Of Ohio declared that he
WIS heart and soul in faNnr OF NJ Ian.n-