Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-19

l
the regular session of the house began,
| Senator Hanna appeared on the floor of
| the house and had a consultation with
General Grosvenor. The latter Informed
the Ohio senator that he considered the ac-
ton of the house very doubtful.
As the hands of the clock pointed at noon,
the speaker ascended the rostrum and, with
| one resoundins whack of his gavel, si-
| fenced the confusion on the floor and the
| hum Of conversation in the crowded gal
leries. 1t was an impressive scene as the
members listened with bowed heads to the
| solemn invocation of the blind chaplain.
No sooner had the chaplain ceased, how
ever. before the confusion was redoubled
as the members labored during the last few
| precious moments.
The Republicans of several state delega-
tions. among others, those of the Penn
| sylvania and Illinois delegations. caucused.
| In both these delegations the sentiment for
| concurrence in the senate amendments was
| strong. w. A. Stone, of Pennsylvania
joined Messrs. Robbins and Acheson. and
the last named. it is said. won over Mr..
| Young. of Philadelphia.
| In the Illinois delegation. Messrs. Lorimer
and Mann were the leaders. Several sena-
| tors were on the floor, among them Senator
Burrows, of Michigan. appealing to their
| colleagues of the house to stand by the
president.
The scene on the floor resembled a polt-
ical convention more than the house of
representatives. Members were scurrying
about. caucusing in groups and discussing
| the situation. The uncertainty of the is
sue was admitted on all hands, although
| the advantage possessed by the Republic
| an leaders in deciding to present motion
| to concur in motion to strike out the
| provision for the recognition of the exist.
| ing government in Cuba was conceded.
| This strategic advantage in compelling the
| first vote to be taken upon their own prop
| osition measurably strengthened their Do
sition.
The reading of the journal had not been
| concluded before the clerk of the senate
announced the passage of the house Cuban
| resolutions with senate amendments. In
stantly the galleries were all attention, and
| members leaned forward in their seats. The
| leaders watched each other with intent,
alert features AS the resolutions were
| read. the declaration with regard to the
! recognition of the independence of Cuba
was vociferously cheered by tho Demo-
Gratis. This demonstration was repeated
when the reading was concluded. Both Mr..
Dingley, the floor leader of the Republic
ans. and Mr.. Bailey. the Democratic lead
er, were on their feet. Mr.. Dingley was
recognized by the speaker and Immediate
ly moved concurrence in the senate amend
ment, with an amendment striking out the
clause in the first resolution which rec
ognized the independence Of the existing re.
public.
Upon his motion Mr.. Dingley demanded
the previous question, which served to cut
off amendment and debate.
MIR. Bailey, who was still upon his feet.
asked II the motion to concur with an
amendment precluded a motion to concur
and was informed by the speaker that It
would not If the motion were voted down.
1t was moment of intense excitement.
Mr.. johnson, Republican, of Indiana, and
Mr.. Bromwell, of Ohio were on their feet,
both demanding recognition to state parlia-
mentary inquiries. The former wanted to
ask unanimous consent to address the
house In antagonism to the motion, but
he was howled down. But when Mr..
Bromwell, a moment later, declared that
he wished to offer motion to concur, the
Democratic side sent up cheer upon cheer.
The Republican side was ominously si-
lent. The speaker sternlys commanded Or
der, and then informed Mr.. Bromwell that
his motion could not be entertained until
that of Mr.. Dingley has been disposed of.
Mr.. Bailey, under cover of making par
liamentary inquiry, brought out clearly the
fact that, unless the motion of Mr.. Ding
| ley were voted down, the house could not
vote on the motion to concur, Of which Mr..
Bromwell had given notice.
Mr.. Sulzer. Democrat. of New York, at
tempted to interpose with the point of Or
der that Mr.. Bromwelrs motion took prece-
| dence over that Of Mr.. Dingley. He had
| a copy of the rules in his hand and was
prepared to argue the question, but the
speaker unceremoniously declined to hear
him. No division was asked on the mo-
tion for the previous question. but upon the
| main question chorus of demands from
| both sides went up for the yeas and nays.
| The roll call was watched with intense in
| terest. The Democrats started in to ap-
plaud every Republican who voted no."
but the promised DETECTION of over twenty
| five members on the Republican side did
not materialize The Democrats only had
fourteen opportunities to applaud. 1t was
| apparent before the end of the first roll
| call that they were defeated. Their disap-
| pointment was manifest on their faces,
| while the countenances of the Republicans
were corrspondingly Joyful over the vic
| tory.
When Mr.. Boutelle, of Maine, ascer-
| tanned that the motion had carried by
| majority, he withdrew his vote and was re-
| corded present.
The announcement of the vote was 49,
| 156. and the decisive victory was loudly
applauded by the Republicans.
Vote on Dingley motion:
YEAS.
| Acheson, Joy.
Adams. Kerr.
Aldrich, ketchsm.
Alexander, kirkpatrick,
Arnold, Knox,
Babcock, kulp,
Baker, Lacey.
Barham, lands.
Barney, Lawrence.
Barrett. i.inney,
SarrOws Iittauer