The herald., 1898-03-30
IN THE HOUSE
Rules Prevent Debate but Resolutions
Are Introduced

WASHINGTON, March 29.-The house
today quietly proceeded with the order of
the day. the consideration of the private
biIs No opportunity was afforded under
the rules of debating the all-absorbing
topic, but members stood about the cloak
room and lobbies all day long, discussing
the situation. The most intense feeling
was manifested. The house. after passing
bill to pension the widow Of Gen. John L.
Stevenson at the rate of $50 per months, de-
voted the whole day to.the consideration OF
Ine bill to pay certain claims for stores and
supplies furnished to the union by loyal
citizens of the south during the war. There
was a bitter contest over claim of $217 600
preferred by the heirs of the widow Of Gen.
Robert f. Lee. She inherited the claim
from Mrs. Fitzhugh, her aunt, who, 1t
was admitted, was loyal. The claim was
finally stricken out, but the house recessed
before the bill was passed. The senate
resolution to extend for six months the
time fixed for opening the agricultural
lands of the Uncompahgre Indian reserva-
ton was adopted.
Representative Marsh Of Illinois, chair
man of the house committee on militia. in
troduced joint resolution declaring war
DeIWeeu TIE Ok cPdih dio AtS
dependencies and the United States and
her territories. 1t is as follows:
Resolved, That war be and the same
hereby is declared TO exist between the
government Of Spain and her dependencies
and the United States and her territories.
and that the president of the United States
is hereby authorized to use the whole land
and naval force of the United States, in
Guiding the militia and naval militia there
of, to carry the same into effect"
Representative Marsh stated that the
resolution introduced by him was the ex-
act language of the declaration of war Of
1912, issued by this country against Great
Britain, except that it omits comforting
authority on the president to issue letters
of marque and reprisal.
Representatives of the Populist and Sill
yer Republican elements in both the sem
ate and house held an informal conference
just before congress convened today and
outlined in a general way the policy to be
adopted toward Cuba, 1t was agreed that
the recognition of Cuban independence
was the only course to pursue at this juno
ture.
Senator Allen and Representative Bell
| were accordingly authorized to introduce
| in the two houses joint resolution en-
| bodying the conference views and indicat-
| ing the line of policy adopted.
The resolution as introduced by Repre-
sentative Bell follows:
Resolved, By the senate and house of
representatives, that the separate political
| existence and independence of the re-
public of Cuba, now and for some time
heretofore maintained by force Of arms,
be and the same is hereby recognized as a
| separate independent nation. That the
United States shall immsd tely intervene
and put an end to the war now being
waged on the island of Cuba and succor
and release from Imprisonment the people
| there concentrated for the purpose of
starvation and determination. And for
! the purpose of carrying into effect the
provisions of this act and enabling the
president Of the United States to furnish
such concentrated people with food, raj
ment and medicine the sum of 100000 is
hereby appropriated out of any funds in
the United States treasury not otherwise
appropriated.
Representative Ridgley of Kansas, who
also represented the Populst wing of the
| house at the meeting, also introduced the
same resolution, but prefixed it with the
numerous whereases endorsed at the meet
ing and incorporated in the Allen senate
resolution.
Repres entative Mercer of Nebraska in
troduced IN the house a Cuban resolution
similar to that introduced by Senator For.
aker of Ohio.
At o'clock the house recessed until {