The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-14
HALLS OF STATE
MADE A BEDLAM
American Representatives Charge
Like Madmen
AND FOUGHT LIKE DEMONS
Bailey, In Trying to Get Minority Report
Before the House,
iGNITED THE MIGHTY SPARK
Which Transformed the Dignified Law
makers Into BrawI Participants.
LIE BETWEEN BARTLETT AND BRUMM
Which Transformed the Dignified Law
makers Into BrawI Participants.
LIE BETWEEN BARTLETT AND BRUMM

Washington, April 13-The house of repre-
sentatives today, after one of the most ex-
citing and memorable days in its history,
by a vote of 322 to 49, adopted resolutions
which nine-tenths of it's members believe
makes war with Spain inevitable. The
resolutions adopted direct the president to
intervene at once in Cuba to restore peace
and secure to the people of that island
"a stable and independent government of
their own" and authorizes him to use the
army and navy to execute the purpose of
the resolutions. The proceedings were
marred by bitter and acrimonious display
of partisan feeling. During the height of
the excitement the lie was passed between
Mr. Brumm, of Pennsylvania, and Mr..
Bartlett, democrat, of Georgia, -and dis
graceful scene followed that almost de-
scended to the level of free fight.
Later in the proceedings theJ speaker was
obliged to again call upon the sergeant
alarms, with his silver mace, the emblem
of the houses authority, to seat Mr.. John
son, of Indiana, who was Indignantly re-
monstrating against what he termed the
unnecessary war into which this country
was being plunged.
Only forty minutes was given for debate
and a special rule was required to get the
resolutions before the house. The minority
resolutions, which declared for the recog-
milton of the existing government of Cuba
were voted down, but they secured the
votes of three republicans. Some stirring
and patriotic sentiments were voiced during
the debate which lifted the galleries and
the members to high pitch of enthus-
iasm.
Like Beleaguered Citadel
The capitol was again like beleaguered
citadel. Thousands upon thousands swarm
ed into the galleries and corridors to wit
ness the exciting scenes and to hear the
stirring oratory.
At 8 o'clock Mr.. Adams, acting chairman
of the foreign affairs committee, came into
the hail. with the majority Cuban resoiu-
tions and Immediately a hush fell upon
the assemblage. The presentation OF the
resolutions was the occasion of wild out
burst of applause 1t was evident tnat tne
war spirit was rampant Mr. Adams asked
unanimous consent for the consideration
of the resolutions, and Mr.. Bailey reserved
the right to object, saying that whetner
he objected or not would depend upon a
fair understanding as, to the length OF
debate
The sneaker: "Is there objection?"
II ask for the regular ORDER" shouted
Mr.. Quigg trep.) of New York
(which is an objsetaop," observed Mr..
Bailey.
as there objectionr' eSked the speaker,
still holding his gavel aioft.
Mr.. Bailey sought to interpose with re-
ouest that the minority resolutions be read
INT fhe sneaker insisted that If objection
was to be made it must be made then.
The Chair Forcing Matters
"The chair is determined to try to force
the minority" cried Mr. Bailey amid great
confusion and cries of regular order"
AVID fa aain
other side entered his objection in em-
phatic tones.
The whole democratic side rose en- masse.
'"They are simply playing for political ad-
vantage and the people of the country
ought to know it," shouted Mr.. Richard
son (dem., of Tennessee)
s"There is perfect understanding with
the democratic members of the foreign al
fairs committee on this point" replied Mr..
Henderson (rep., of Iowa.).
"That is not true, If we are to understand
that any such agreement as this was agreed
to-" retorted Mr.. Richardson.
At this juncture occurred the sensational
climax of the day and one of the most ex-
citing incidents in the history of the
house. Members all about were In state
of frenzied excitement. Partisan passion
was running high. 1t required only the
application of a match to explode the mag
azine and when the explosion came pande-
ponium reigned. Mr.. Bartlett (dem., of
6eoISidJS was supporting tne proteSts OF
the democrats against the taunting words
which were coming from the other side.
Suddenly in his rear in the next tier of
seats, came in stentorian tones from Mr..
Brumm (rep., of Pennsylvania.) taunt
addressed generally to the democratic side:
'You got just what you did not want" he
shouted.
"That is not true" cried out Mr. Bart
lett, who 1t was explained subsequently
CONTINUE on Second PageJ