Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1898-04-05
GR0SVEN0R DENIES 1T
Administration Not Attempt
ing to Force Cuba to Buy
Her Independence.
says tho Idea Is Noneensioal
and ls Used Only to Make
Political Capital.
Eloquent Plea of Congressman
Bailey Brings Tears From
His ColleaRuee.

His Colleagues.
WASHINGTON, April l.-For three
oours during the day the packed gall
aeries and excited members Of the house
listened to . passionate outburst Of
osatory on tho Cuban question during
which the intensity Of feeling was al
tsrnately manifested by cheers, jeers
and Misses. Tho three speeches which
stirred the assemblage to its depths
were made by Mr.. Grosvenor Of Ohio.
who, 1t was assumed, spoke for the adj
ministration, aud who practically
pledged it to tho cause Of free Cuba;
Mr.. Bailey Of Texas. the Democratic
leader, who announced the Democratic
position as for FREQ Cuba, without war
II it could be avoided, but with war IT
necessary, and Mr.. johnson Of Indiana.
who spoke for peace. declaring that 1t
was our duty to 60 to the extreme In
magnsnimity in order to avoid the hoE-
rors Of war. Mr.. Lewis, . Democrat
from Washington. provoked the speech
Of Mr.. johnson, which aroused the
members and the galleries to the
Fever Pitch Of Excitement.
Mr.. Lewis had denounced the PROPOSE
ton that Cuba purchase her freedom
from Spain, which, it was alleged, the
administration was fostering. Then it
was that MIR. johnson, in brilliant
speech, pleaded for peace. He faced
the storm of Kisses which swept down
upon him from the galleries like a
Spartan, and, with passionate utter
ance, adjured member to pause before
they plunged tho country into war, the
evils Of which would follow after in
endless train. He eulogized every in
duence that made for peace and de-
clared his belief that the Cuban junta
would agree to pay 500. 0o0, 600 for the
independence Of tho island. Mr..
Bailey, tho Democratic leader, was
quick to seize the advantage which Mr..
Johnson's position had afforded and in
ringing speech which sst his follow
ers and tho galleries wild he an.
nounced his belief. from what Mr..
johnson had said. that the purpose OF
the Republicans in refusing to join
with the Democrats was to give the
administration an p ortunity to COM
pol the Cuban patri o.s to buy the indie.
psndence they had
Won From the Butchers Of Spain.
He said he, too. deplored war and in
describing its awful horrors as tho
Southern people had known them.
drew tears from the eyes of some OF his
colleagues. In conclusion he said the
Democrats were for free Cuba, without
war il possible, with war il necessary.
This speech of Mr.. Bailey's drew tho
fire of the administration spokesman
on tho floor, General Grosvenor Of
Ohio. With his reply the climax Of
the day was reached. He charged Mr..
Bailey with attempting to make polit-
ical capital. He denounced the state
ments that tho administration in.
tended to force Cuba to buy her
freedom az the silly invention of an
, idiot and declared that from the presi-
dent down this administration was for
free Cuba. Recognition Of her indie
pendence. he said, would DO but half
way measure. He thrilled his auditors
when he asked what meant the war
preparations that were going Oh night
and day if not that when action was
taken looking to the independence of
Cuba it would be backed up, if neces-
sary, by the army and navy Of the
United States