Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-12
IN CONGRESS.
immense Crowds Assemble to
Hear Presidents Message.
Is Referred to the Committees in Both
Branches Without Action.
Ward o! | 9Th New York District Given Seat
Over Fairchild.

washington. April 1l.-ln the Senate.
today. every available seat both on the
floor and in the galleries was occupied
when Vice President Hobart called tha
session to order. The attendance of
senators was unusually large. every
member of the body in the city being
III his seat Among the visitors on the
floor was Gen. Miles, commander of The
army. In the diplomatic gallery Were
Sir Julian Pauncefote the British am
baSsador; Baron Heng aelmuller, the
Austrian minister. and party: Mr.
Constantin Brun minister Of Denmark
Mr.. Charles f Adam. FIRST secretary of
the British legation. and Miss Adam !;
Chancellor Boeufre OF the French lega-
ton; Dr. Yela. secretary of the le2a-
ton OF Guatemala: Mr.. j. b. Pioda.
of the Chinese legation.
Scarcely had the Senate been called
to order when Mir. Quay of Pennsylva-
MIA. precpitated the Cuban question 10y
presenting some petitions and making
startling comments upon them. he
took the strongest ground for immedi-
ate and impetuous action and declared
that it was now TOO late for Pope, pre-
late or presbyter TO interfere.
Even while Mr.. Quay was speaking,
Major Pruden, the executive secretary
TO the President. entered the chamber
bearing the long expected message
He was recognized as soon a IS Mr.. Quay
had concluded. and when he had pre-
scented the message the Vice President
Immediately laid it before the Senate
In stiffness that was almost breath
less the message was read, the reading
occupying just AZ minutes.
AT the conclusion of the reading there
was a hum of whispered conversation
in the galleries. but no demonstration.
Mr. Davis of Minnesota. chairman OF
the foreign relations committee, at
once moved that it be sent to his com
mittee ana Mr. Stewart taking advan-
tage Of the opportunity, briefly adj
dressed the Senate in favor of recognize
ing the independence of the Cuban in
surgents. Without further debate the
message was referred as requested.
After the Senate adjourned, today,
meetings were held by the committee
on foreign relations by the Republican
who endorse the Presidents
SentIdIN htitH II d. titf tbiiori-
Vativc, and by members of the sena-
torial Democratic steering committee
together With the Democratic leaders
of the House. including Mr.. Bailey
The foreign relations committee sat for
three hours and after the formal meet
ing the Republican members held
conference at which they consldere
the possibility of unanimous action on
their part The committee as such dld
not reach decision as to whether
report should be made tomorrow The
desire before reporting IS
to hear Consul General Lee. The con-
illusions of the committee may depend
largely upon what General Lee places
before it.
Several members of the committee
were inclined to ciiticise the Presi-
dent s reference to Span's proffer of an
armistice in Cuba. This they SAID,
went far towards removing the
cause for intervention and sa1d
that in view of tie mention
Of this fact and of the Pres
ident's opposition to the recognition
of either independence or beitiSerehfy
rights. nothing was left for TINS country
but to declare war Some senators VINO
had preylous to the receipt of the mess
age indicated a willingness to conIine
the action of Congress to occia rati"h
for intervention. were now inclined |" re
CONTINUED on page 80 d