The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-27
D0INGS OF CONGRESS.
Abstract of the Important Proceedings
in Both Houses.

owing to the prominence OF the Hawaiian
and Cuban questions.
In the Senate, on Jan. Is, Senator Morgan
continued his speech on the Hawaiian annex
ation proposition. He dwelt espt cally upon
the military importance of the islands, quot
ing Gen. Schofeld and Capt. Nathan in sup
port of his position that the islands are a
natural outpost for the United States, and
necessary to the proper protection of our
western coast and of our general commerce
in case of war;
Mr.. Morgan predicted that il the United
States did not take advantage of the present
opportunity to acquire the islands there
would be war between this country and
some other power within ten weeks. 1t was
not he said, within the bounds of possible
ties, in view of the present European COMPETE
ton for territory in Asia, that the Hawaiian
Islands should be allowed to remain independ-
ent for any length of time after the United
States should finally announce their determin-
alton not to make them a part of American
| territory.
The nation which controls hawaii would
control our commerce with the East. Fail
ure to annex the islands meant inevitable
| bloodshed. and the responsibility for that
bloodshed would rest upon the Senate of the
| United States for its failure to perform its
| two countries
| In the House, the Cuban question was dis
cussed. Mr.. Hit called up the Diplomatic
and Consular appropriation bill, and rs soon
as the enacting clause had been read Mr. De
Almond Mo, ID. J offered an amendment to
recognize the Cuban insurgents as belllg-
erents
Mr.. Hit raised the point of order that the
amendment was new legislation and obnoXi-
Gus to the rules of the House.
Mr.. De Almond, speaking to the point of
order, said he fully understood the rules of
the House, which were designed to suppress,
when desired, the will of the House.
For months, he declared, those i'll control
of the House had declined to allow the House
to consider what the people of the country de-
sired, namely, that Congress consider and act
upon this question of recognizing the bellig
erency of the struggling patriots in Cuba 1t
was the duty of members to override those
petty rules that had been used to suppress
action.
Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader, rein
forced the views of Mr. De Almond. Mr..
Hepburn, in the Chair, sustained the point of
order, whereupon Mr.. De Almond, in order
to get the question before the House in a
better form, ofle ed the Senate Cuban reSo-
luton as an amendment, and when it was
Overrued made his appeal from the decision.
Mr.. Dngley, the floor leader of the ma
jority, characterized Mr. De Almonds appeal
as proposition to override the rules, estab
lish a new mode of procedure and destroy the
orderly transaction of business.
MIR. De Almond urged members on both
sides to vote to % free this House for one hour
from dominion so absolute that it was inn
possible to get consideration for any matter,
no matter how important or urgent, without
the consent of those in authority i'll the
House"
The debate continued, amid much con-
fusion. Then by vote of 152 to ia the
decision of the Chair was sustained; Flem
ing (Ga., d. voting with the Republicans.
Under the paragraph relating to Ambassa-
doris Mr.. Williams Miss, D. moved an
amendment to appropriate $1,000 for an
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary to the Republic of Cuba
Mr. HIT raised the point OF order that the
amendment was a change of existing law.
The Chair sos.aioni him.
In the Sensse on Jan. 10. Senator Morgan
continued his speech advocating ratification OF
the Hawaiian treaty. He dealt with the
questions Of the agricultural and commercial
possibilities of the islands. and the position
of the residents of the islands on the subject
of annexation. He defended the Govern
ment and eulogized Mr.. Dole.
In the House, the same dav. Mr.. Brucker
ID, Mich presented a resolution that was
an instruction to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs TO report without further delay the
Senate Cuban beligerency resolution.
AIr. Hit made a point Of order, which the
Speaker promptly sustained Mr.. Brucker
appealed. Nj. Dalzel, amid the disorder
that ensued, moved to lay the appeal on the
table. and the motion was carried by n rising
vote of 107 to g. and the yea and nay vote
called for resulted 1G8 to 126.
The Diplomatic appropriation bill was
taken up, and an amendment relating TO Cuba
was ruled out of order, and appeals put aside
on points of order
The reading Of the bill went on, inter
rupted every few minutes by the fve-min-
ute speeches from the Democratic side on
Cuba.
Mr.. Hit, in opening the general debate,
reviewed the history Of our relations with
Spain and Cuba, and the course of President
Mex nley. He warned the members that the
vast responsibility OF action, with the mo-
mentOus consequences that might ensue
rested on the shoulders of the Executive
not on members Of Congress, who might be
making speeches for popular approval.
g ] am sure,' he said, that all Americans
who love their country can be relied upon to
stand by the President when he may take the
next step before him in pursuance of the
same line which he has followed in the last
eight months. -
In the Senate, on Jan. 90, Mr.. Morgan
finished MS Hawaiian speech.
A vote on motion Of Mr.. Vest to take up
the Teller resolution, providing for the pay
ment of bonds in silver, was taken. The
first vote taken was on Mr. Lodges motion
to 20 into Executive session for the purpose
Of considering the Hawaiian treaty. The
Lodge motion was voted down-yeas 81, nays
80 All of the affirmative votes were cast by
Republicans. The vote on the Teller resolu-
ton was Al yeas, 90 nays. Mr.. Gray, of
Delaware, was the only Democrat who voted
against taking up the Teller resolution. The
resolution went over until the next day.
In the House, the Cnban question was de-
bated again. Mr.. Williams, it is claimed,
had given notice that he would move, ut the
conclusion of the debate, to recommit the bill
with instructions. So, on this day, Mr.
Bailey moved to recommit the Diplomatic
bill, with instructions to the Foreign Affairs
Committee to report it back with an amend
ment 70 the effect that condition of public
war exists between the Government of Spain