The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-14


was testified to by the gentleman from,
Maine (Mr Dingley) because after the un-
seemingly occurrence which came more
nearly disgracing the house of representa-
tives than any act which has occurred dur
ing my membership in this body, the gem
tleman's own sense of fairness compelled
him to ask the house to do precisely and
only what I asked for in the beginning.
/ do not intend to interfere with the i'm
mediate consideration of this resolution,
but l wanted the country to understand"
(Derisive laughter and jeers on the repub-
lican side)
Months OF Delay and Suspense
'I am gratifed to know" continued Mr..
Bailey, that after fifteen months of delay
and suspense 1t has at last dawned upon
the republican majority of this house that
the time for action has arrived applause
by the democrats.) For more than year
we have been entreating you to take some
action, and 1t is at least some satisfac-
ton that you have resolved at last not
to heed our appeal, but to heed your angry
constituents at home. applause on the
democratic side.) But true to your pol
Icy and your traditions, you have resolved
that when at last you are compelled to act
you will deny to members of this body the
opportunity to discuss your conduct.
"There is radical difference between
the resolutions reported by the majority
ought to be time and opportunity allowed
for those of us who think the minority res
olution the wiser to point out to the house
and to the country the reasons for our
belief And yet, as well as the members
on that side, believe that these resolutions
involving the question of peace or war
are to be rushed through this body with a
short and insufficient debate and that too,
when every man in the country knows that
nothing can be done until the senate acts
nd un1I hof f1,a
er elaboration. But, Mr.. Speaker we would
rather have action at last without discus
sion than to have the practice of the last
twelve months, allowing ample discussion
and no decision. (Applause)
Ready to Meet the Question
THE true rule ought to be that questions
of this kind can be fairly discussed, but
the rule which now prevails is that when
the house finally determines to decide
question, that is the very time the house
refuses to allow debate upon 1t. But sir,
we are as ready to meet the question as we
are as ready to decide it. We are as ready
to take our responsibility with gentlemen
on the other side, and we invite you to call
the roll" applause and cries of ''vote,"
"vote.")
Mr.. Henderson declined to yield, but he
granted few minutes to Mr.. McMillin,
(dem) of Tennessee, a member of the COM
mittee on rules. Mr.. McMillin said the
most momentous question that has con-
fronted the American people since the
close of the great civil war confronted us
today and he did not agree with the senti-
ment which seemed to be strong on the
other side that there ought to be a candid
and ample presentation of the great ques-
ton to the representatives of the people
and through them to the American peo-
pie. (Applause) If we had recognized the
independence of the republic of Cuba long
ago he continued, Cuba would have been
free today and we would have been free
from obligations" (Applause)
Mr.. Clayton-"And the Maine. would
have been afloat.
Mr.. McMillin-"And today 266 gallant
American sailors whose glory will not fade
until the flag fades on account OF their
sacrifice for their country, would have
been living American sailors.
What Excuse Can We Givef
sNow, Mr. Speaker, what excuse are we
going to give the American people Tor
hasty action in this matter? The resolution
of the majority does not propose to recog-
nize the republic of Cuba and the resolution
of the minority does. The resolution OF
the majority does not force the president
to send our army and our navy to back
I'D this action Immediately; the resolution
of the minority does. They differ as the
poles differ and their difference ought TO
he shown and the representatives mere
given an opportunity to show which one OF
the resolutions best accomplishes the WORK
to be performed.
"You heard the. presidents message: You
know the spirit that it breathed. You know
the indecision that characterized IL. 1ou
know there was no free Cuba In IL, ana YET
Won nropose to turn over to him the army,
Won propose to turn over to him the navy
and turn over to him the treasury ana give
him discretion to fight or not to hSht' as
he pleases So far as am concerned ana
vpa
side of the house. we are not only In FAVOR
of free Cuba, but we intend that the presi-
dent shall not stand in the way OF that
freedom" cloud applause on the demo-
cratic side.)
Henderson After Bailey
Mr.. Henderson, in closing the debate.
criticised the position taken by Mr.. Bailey.
HE has presented a singular spec.ao as
here today" said he. "He has attempted
again and again to force action in this
house, on his own statements, under any
| circumstances on any bill and at any time.
And now he pleads for time because the
senate is going to deliberate and urges that
as an argument and winds up by wanting
us to call the roll now. I regard the attempt
to make craftsmanship out OF this great
national question as unwise. (Cries OF On!
on the democratic sde) When he attacks
the chief executive and the republican par
nv for the elaboration and the care that
hos heen taken in making contracts with
every powder mandatory in the country
preparing shot and shell to overcome the
difficulties that have been forced upon the
country in the past by false policy he IS
unjust to himself, to the party, TO the pres
;dant we have examined with care the
great dangers that confronted us. We have
Weighed, as has the president, with brain
and heart. the whole question, and all that
confronts the country in settling the great
nrohiem. This has been done wisely and
t,au ~ ia well 1T was done quickly. Now,
we are here for action, and want to say
that with scarcely a dissenting vote we
are ready for the roll call in this house."
TAnplause on republican side)
He thercupon demanded the previous
question. against the loud protests of Mr.
Johnson (rep.) of Indiana, who became so
Violent in his denunciation of this EFFORT
to stide debate and not allow "remop-