The Yale expositor., 1898-03-04
DoIN0s OF CONGRESS.
A photographic Chronicle Of the Acts OF
the Nations Lawmakers.


the Nations Lawmakers.
A sweeping reduction OF over So, 900
900 from the amount carried by the
current law is made in the sundry civil
appropriation bill reported to the
House, the aggregate appropriation
carried being S44, 74g, 1913. The total is
S13, 234,54 less than the regular and
supplemental official estimates made for
the fiscal year 1899 and 1851, 800 less
than the appropriations made for the
current fiscal year. A reduction OF
s., 1867, 500 is made in the appropriation
for river and harbor work and this
greatly affects Michigan.
Congressman Henderson, of Iowa,
has introduced a bill to revive the
grade of acknowledgement of the army.
Mr.. Johnson, an Indiana Republican,
delivered a speech in opposition to the
Hawaiian treaty that electrified the
House and the galleriesin denunciation
of what he termed an attempt to cut
loose from the traditional policy of the
United States and enter upon a scheme
of colonization that had proved the
ruin of empires and of nations. He
used some very strong language, but
his remarks were enthusiastically APP
plauded.
The Senate adopted the resolution of
Mr.. Morgan instructing the committee
on naval affairs to inquire and report
whether a man-of-war, equal at least
to any warship in the seas, to be
named the George Washington, can be
built, armed and commissioned within
a period of twelve months.
While the Senate had under consider
alton the diplomatic and consular APP
preparation bill a sharp debate on the
Cuban situation was precipitated by
Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, who offered as
an amendment the resolution passed
by the Senate a year ago recognizing
the belligerent rights of the Cuban in
surgents. The debate became general
and occupied nearly four hours. MIR.
Morgan in opposition, said the passing
of the amendment would be practically
a declaration of war against Spain and
he didn't like that way of doing it. If
a plain straightforward declaration of
war was presented he would vote for IT,
Mr.. Teller did not accept Mr. Morgans
position that the adoption of
this amendment would be q de-
claration Of war. lie had, he said.
reached the conclusion that the recog-
milton of belligerency rested with the
executive. Mr.. Teller declared that if
the matter rested with himself exclu-
sively he would recognize the belliger-
90 al I, 4 4
bring war tomorrow. Mr. Foraker an
nounced his intention to vote against
the amendment, explaining his reason
to be the fact that it was sought to,
make it rider on an appropriation
bill. He added: 81 expect at no very
distant day that there will be an APP
propriate occasion for further remarks
upon this question. L think the time
is coming for action" Mr.. Thurston
said he had never ceased to regret that
Cuban belligcrcncy had not been recoc-
nized when the barbarities of Weylcr'
should have won for the United States
the sympathy of the world. lie was Of
the opinion, that we are drifting into
war with Spain, but he thought that
while the court of inquiry at Havana
was conducting its investigation the
Senate should maintain most circum-
spect attitude and be calm and quiet
Mr.. Allen made an extended reply to.
the arguments advanced against his
position. lie maintained this was the
first time that the belligerency prop
osition had been presented to the Sem
ate when there was any chance of its
being effective. The House would be
brought face to face with it and it would
be brought to a vote in that body. 1t
could not be buried in committee as
the previous resolution passed by the
Senate had been. Mr.. Hale made the
point of order against the amend
ment that it was general legislation
and had under the rules no place in
the bill. The vice-presdent sustained
the point and Mr.. Allen took an appeal
from the ruling but was voted down..