The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-31

Meantime. the confusion was great. The
Republican leaders were evidently rally
ing their forces. Mr.. Hull, chairman of
the committee on military affairs. who
was one of the prime movers in the move
ment for prompt and vigorous action on
the Republican side, came forward with a
strong appeal to Republicans not to be
carried off their feet.
At the outset he acknowledged that his
sympathies were with the resolution
(Which, 1t transpired afterward, be be-
lieved at that time contained a declara-
Ilon of war; but he argued that 1t did not
present a question Of higher privilege
than the consideration of an oppropria-
declaring ton bill. We could have war,
said he, whenever We wanted IT, res
olution declaring war was privileged, he
admitted.
But this is not resolution declaring
war" interposed Mr.. Bland 1T IS q reso-
luton recognizing the independence Of
Cuba, which does not necessarily involve
war"
IF the resolution falls short Of that"
replied Mr. Hull, land did not hear it
fully read-if it falls short of that point,
1t is not operative and TO my mind it
does not present any question Of privi-
iege at all. As I have always said, I am
In favor Of this government intervening
at the very earliest date until conditions
change materially, so that they will in
sure the liberty Of Cubans, and a cessa-
ton Of the deplorable conditions that pre-
vail in that island at the present time.
Applause on the Republican side. I am
IN favor Of that principle and state now
and here that will go as far as any man
on this floor for the purpose Of preserv-
ing the rights Of the struggling patriots
in their heroic efforts on that island Gap
plause on the Republican side, and I am
in favor of the United States controlling
the destinies of this continent and say
ing to Spain that she must get out Of the |
Western Hemisphere"
Mr.. Larrey Dem, Ark.) argued that |
question involving the right Of privilege |
was one Of fact, for the house to decide.
JERRY's LITTLE JOKE.
While he was speaking the Republicans |
were comforting. The leaders were yet |
circulating among then. anu such con-
fusion resulted that 80 <mpson Pop., |
KAN raised a laugh amid the excitement |
by asking for order among the Speakers |
reconcentrados."
MR.. HOPKINS PLEA.
Mr.. Hopkins (Rep., I'D, another Of the
Republicans who openly favors armed |
called attention to the dis
tinction between the resolution in the
precedent cited by Mr.. Bailey and the
present resolution. In the former resolu- +
ton it was cOntended that the dignity of
the house had been infringed upon by
the executive. There was no such con-
tention here. Continuing, he appealed to
his colleagues to rally TO the support of
the speaker. The Republican members
knew, he said, that within a brief time
action would he had. so that there was
no necessity for resorting to revolution
ary methods.
REEDS RULING, AT LENGTH
Amid profound silence the speaker then
made his ruling. He spoke in deliberate,
distinct and emphatic tones, and decided
that the resolution was not privileged in
the following ruling:
"a question of privilege which con-
Germs the house is one which concerns ths
exercise of its functions IN accordance
with the principles which govern parlia-
mentary bodies. Every parliamentary
body has to have rules for its govern
,nent, otherwise it would have no govern
rnent at all; and upon adherence to those
rules depends its success as parlia-
mentary body. The rights of the house
under. the constitution are in no way to
be COMPOUNDED with privileges of the :
house and of every member in it in the
sense in which this matter is presented
here today. Congress has certain powers
conferred upon 1t, and 70 the exercise Of Z
those powers each hous- Is governed by ;
Its rules. It is authorized expressly by
the constitution 10 make rules. and
without the authorization of the cOnstitu- {
ton it would be at liberty to make rules ,
These rules are for the protection of the 5
rights of the house. Now it would be {
loticed in the constitution, if any gentle
man will turn to it. that there are GER /
tain powers conferred upon congress. the
power to declare war, the power to leg
slate Tor the general welfare and a series Y
IF other enumerated powers. No man I
up to this date has for an instant pre-
tended or suggested that because that
congress has a right to pass laws upon ,
certain topics that proposals for these
laws become questions Of privilege: never :
before except once and the chair will
present the decision 10 the house The
same language is used with reference to ,
our relations with foreign nations that ,
Is used with reference TO the creation of
tho courts Of law and all other power ,
which is concerned. 1t IS a legislative | .
power and is exercised under the consti-
tuition by rules adopted in each body ,
This is the first preliminary idea that we
ought to have in regard to this matter.
But this proposition in regard 10 war.
~A.2x,. There Is
%T " implanted in