The times., 1898-04-02
THE HOUSE IS RESTLESS
No Danger That 1t Will Be
Held Back.
MONDAY NEXT THE LIMIT
Yesterdays Session Not EVenIfuI,
Hut the Members Show Determine =
Bronched-Reed Accepts the In
eNitabIe-Priyate BilI Day.

eNitabIe-Priyate BiII Day.
The House assembled yesterday in a
mood very unpromising for the transaC-
tion Of business. The war feeling was
rampant, and members were not disposed
20 settle down to the dun routine Of ordi-
nary work.
For a short time the presiding officer
pounded the desk with almos: unceas-
ing yigor in his efforts to enforce order.
The hum Of conversation on the floor
drowned everything save the many
thumps Of the gavel But this disturb
ance did not last long. In less than half
an hour ,he House settled down to work
and kept al it so steadily that the naval
appropriation bin was passed.
II had been reported that the response
of Spain TO the last proposition of the
President would be sent to Congress.
The rumor could not be traced TO any
authority but il was generally credited.
The report made by the caucus com
mittee of eleven to the Republican eau
Gus was generally discussed on that side
of the chamber.
The failure Of the committee to procure
a definite promise of decisive action by
the Executive not later than next Mon
day was freely commented upon and
with many expressions of dissatisfac-
tion.
Monday Is the Limit.
Republicans were vehement in their
declaration that they would not wait on
the President beyond next Monday. but
should the Executive want more time.
and procure the cooperation of the
Speaker. he would probably get it.
The Republicans We're in an anxious
and excited frame of mind, but
scarcely ready yet to rebel against the
rigid discipline of Speaker Reed and
his lieuUenants.
II was manifest however. that they were
growing exceedingly impatient They will
not tolerate many more delays. II the
President is not prepared for decisive ac-
ton. early next week, the chances are
that the Republicans Of the House viii
break out In revolt and upset party dis.
cipiine despite the Speaker
Yesterday was private bill day. under the
rules, but at the request of Mr.. Bouteiie
next Tuesday was set apart for that
purpose and the naval appropriation bill
was taken up 1t was made condition
however, that the agreement should not
Interfere with or prevent any report
from the Committee on Foreign Affairs
should that committee desire 10 report
This suggestion came from the Repub-
lCsn side and ii voiced the feeling of
fear on that side that the President may
not be ready TO submit a line OF final
action on Monday. In that event the
plan Of the Republicans is to have the
Foreign Affairs Committee report Joint
resolution next Tuesday. recognizing the
independence OF Cuba
1T was 10 keep the way open for such
action that the reservation was inserted
in today's agreement
A report from the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee next Tuesday could not be pre-
scented in face Of the opposition Of the
Speaker. but il is said that he viii not
undertake to stop it. in case the non-ac-
ti0n Of the President renders such d
course necessary
Reed Accepts the Inevitable.
A prominent Republican of the House
said this morning:
Speaker Reed has assured me that ht
VIII not place any obstacle in the way Ot
e proposition to recognize Cuban inde
pendence. after next Monday.
on the House side Of the Capitol yester-
day there was scarcely q dissent heard tc
The opinion that war was now inevi.
table
Even the peace-at-any-price men who
have been intruding their views so per
sistently upon the country conceded thai
they saw no hope Of a peaceful solution
OF The controversy with Spain.
The suggestion that the CUbans should
purchase the control and the independ.
ence Of their island. which was made
prominent IN Thursdays debate had be,
come too unpopular for anybody TO open,
~ champion IL. The exposure Of thai
scheme on the floor of the House Thurs
day by Mr.. Bailey and other friends OF
cuba had pat q quietus upon the project
ot compelling the Cubans to pay Spain
for me island they have already won.
The members OF the House, IN theil
conversations yesterday. all agreed thai
The only duty before the country now is
io prepare for war. They openly declared
that they could see no way by which q
conflict with Spain could be avoided
The Expected Happened
The reply Of Spain to the message o.
the President proved 10 be what mem
beers Of Congress had anticipated They
said they had expected a series Of sub
1"rfuges and protests instead Of z
srraightf9rward candid response to III,
proposals OF this Government
The universal comment was that il Il
were practicable 10 wait until the meet.
ing Of the Spanish Cortes for a decisiy.
reply 70 the basis Of settlement Droposel
by the United States. some other prete,-
Tor further delay would be invented b,
srlrarrsirrr Cr.lrfeg, -.,-...;--