The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-09
ANOTHER REVIEW.
Some Members So Anxious TO Vote
that They Broke Their Pairs.

that They Broke Their Pairs.
WASHINGTON, March Sin a spirit of
patriotism, with eloquent words ringing in
their ears, every member of the House of
Representatives to-day responded to the
Presidents first call to meet the Spanish
situation by casting his vote for bill plac-
ing in President McIkinley's hands fifty mil
lions of dollars to be expended at his dis
cretion for the national defense. Party
lines were swept away, and, with un1n-
imous voice, Congress voted its confidence
in the administration. Many members who
were paired with absent colleagues, took
the responsibility of breaking their pairs,
an unprecedented thing in legislative an
nails, in order that they might go on record
in support OF this vast appropriation to
maintain the dignity and honor Of their
country. Speaker Reed, who as the presid-
ing officer, seldom voting except in case of a
tie, had his name called and voted in his
capacity as representative.
The scene Of enthusiasm which greeted
the announcement of the vote-yeas, 311;
nays, 0-has seldom been paralleled in the
House All day long the galleries were
jammed with enthusiastic spectators, ap-
plauding to the echo the sterling patriotism
of the words of eloquence which were ut
tered by the members on the floor. All the
speeches were brief. Although four hours
were allowed for debate, so great was the
pressure for time that no one member was
given more than five minutes, and most of
them had to content themselves with beg
carly fraction of a minute In all fifty-nine
speeches were made. With one acclaim,
members from the North and South, the
East and West, the States and the Terri
and Confederate armies all Joined in pro-
claiming their support of their country's
chief magistrate iY22she face Of possible
foreign war. General Grosvenor, of Ohio,
said that if war did not come, the $50 900 600
appropriated by this bill would be wisely
expended if it only served to show the
whole world that when threatened from
without the hearts OF the American people
beat as one.
In the whole debate there was only a
slight 6iscordant note, caused by the speech
of General Bingham, of Pennsylvania, a
gallant soldier, who served with distinction
under Hancock. He spoke too conservative
ly for the aroused temper of the House and
when he insisted that our relations with
Spain were as friendly as they had been
for years, many of the members Kissed him.
While almost every member who spoke
deprecated the possibility of war, wide di-
vergence of opinion as to how close were
hostlities manifested itself in the debate.
The general contention by the majority,
among them the leaders on both Sides was
that this appropriation, by preparing for
war would prove the surest guarantee of
peace. Others insisted that wars alarms
would soon be heard and Mr.. Mann, of Illi-
nois, declared that war actually existed in
all save name. The speeches which at
tracted most. attention were those of
MesSrs. Cannon, Henderson and Dolliver,
on the Republican side. and Messrs. Bailey
and Sayers on the Democratic side
When the journal had been read at noon,
the speaker raped for order and, amid
deep silence, Chairman Cannon arose and
presented as a deficiency bill the measure
appropriating $50,OO0,000 for the national de-
Tense 1t included, in addition to the big ap-
preparation, the following items: For print
ing, $50, 600; Bureau of Medicine and Sur
gerry, naval establishment, $4,000; Bureau of
Equipment (coal, etc.), naval establishment.
$10O,O Bureau of Ordnance, naval estab-
lishment, $71, OO0 total, $5O,1S3OOO.
When the reading of the bill was con-
cluded with the item Of 900 for the
national defense, a spontaneous outburst of
applause went up lroHh lne members anu
the galleries. Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Sayers,
the minority members Of the appropriations
committee then mutually proposed the
agreement they had privately made, before
the House met for three hours general de-
bate on the BILL to be followed by one
hours debate under the five-minute rule.
Mr.. Barrett (Rep., Mass) asked if oppor-
tunity would be allowed for amendment,
and when Mr.. Cannon answered that he did
not know, Barrett objected. His objection
was greeted with Kisses and loud cries of
vote vote" Mr.. Barrett, yielding to
the urgent appeals Of the Republicans about
him, withdrew his objection. The agree
ment as to time was formally ratified.
Then began the debate which will pass
into American history as one of the most
remarkable ever heard in Congress.