The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-10-28
ISSUE OF THE WAR.
How Republicans Have tried 10 Ma
the Way 40 the Freeing
of Cuba.

AS democrats we 90 not DeieSe IN |
claiming the credit Of the war with
Spain; we believe the whole great
American nation is entitled 10 that
honor; but rs Grosvenor, Hanna ana
the republican congressional commit
tee have made such a challenge, and
for partisan purposes are claiming
that the republican party ana MI. NC
kinley are entitled 10 all the credit, IL
becomes us TO state some OF the facts
of history and show that every effort
was made by the administration and
the republicans In congress, with
very few exceptions. to stiiie the pup
lie feeling in favor of freeing CUBA
and that even after the destruction
of the Maine the peace party had con-
troll OF the administration. The dem
ocrats III congress were united in their
efforts TO pass a resolution declaring
the belligerent rights OF the Cubans'
and the republicans placed every OBJ
structior in the way. Mr.. Reed, the
speaker OF the house, refused TO ap
point any committee on foreign affairs
AT the extra session which began soon
after the Inauguration Of Mr.. Mckin-
lev. so that all bills and resolutions
of any kind. exceptthe tariff bill, when
introduced, were merely flied to await
,c,;or ~ The regular session. Mr.
Lewis, OF Washington, on May q, 1877,
attempted TO overcome this by reso
luton he introduced declaring for the
beligerent rights of the Cubans as n
privileged question. He made very
strong argument. showing that our
foreign relations we're privileged, and
quoting opinions of former speakers
and even the rulings of Mr.. Reed TO
prove his case. but the speaker decid ed
against him. He appealed from the de-
cision OF the chair, Ind the chair was
sustained by 50 yeas TO SO nays, all re-
publcans voting to sustain the speak
er and all the democrats for free
Cuba. Similar efforts were made by
ell democrats from time TO time, Du'
, the efforts OF the administration ant
the speaker prevented action and KEEP
the republicans in line against free
Cuba. When the regular session con
vered in Dece mber, 1897, the commit
tees having been appointed by III
sneaker, all bills and resolutions re
q lating 10 Cuba we're referred 10 th'
committee on foreign affairs. No re
port was made on any of the Cubal
matters. On January 10, 1sos, MI
: Brucker. OF Michigan. introduced
resolution directing the committee OF
: foreign affairs TO report without fur
Their delay senate resolution No. q
declaring that state Of war existe
:, in Cuba. and that strict neutralit
= should be maintained Mr. Hit, tn
chairman Of the foreign affairs con
: mittee. made point Of order agains
: the consideration Of the joint resol'
ton. and the point Of order was su
: tanned by Speaker Reed. Mr.. Bruck'
r appealed against the decision, and on
division the chair was sustained, ye;
= 1863. nays 1875. (See Congressional Re
- =. ord. page s16.) The votes that 81
- tanned the speaker against taking al
> action in favor Of the Cubans were a
!, - cast by republicans, and the dem
- Gratis voted unanim ously In favor
the same. II will thus be seen that Il
u republicans were determined to
~ nothing to aid the cubans.