The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-12
Message of the President on Cuba

Washington. April 1.-THE president
message was read in the house today il
the presence Of a vast assemblage. anC
referred to the committee on foreign at
fairs without debate. There was abso
lUtely no demonstration either of APPROX
al or disapproval from the crowded gal
leries Throughout or at the conclusion
of the reading. but there was a sharT
Outburst of applause from the Republican
side when, toward the close of the mes
sage, the president said the war in Cuba
cease. AT the conclusion of the reading
about half the Republicans applaudeC
and several of the Democrats groaned
After the message had been referred, the
house transacted some District of Colum-
bia business and then acted upon the
Fairchilds-Ward contested election case
from the Eighteenth New York district
by confirming Mr.. Wards title to the
seat. Little or no interest was taken in
the proceedings. All the afternoon men,
bers stood about in groups. discussing
the message and the probable action Of
congress upon it.
The foreign affairs committee met in
advance Of the converting of the house,
but it was understood beforehand that
nothing should be done until after the
message was transmitted.
Postmaster General Gary and Secretary
of Agriculture Wilson were on the floor
just before the house convened. AS the
hands of the clock pointed to noon. the
speaker entered. the hubbub ceased and
amid an impressive silence the chaplain
invoked the Divine aid in the crisis
Immediately after the reading Of the
journal a contest arose between the com
mittee on elections and the committee on
District of Columbia over the right of
way, and while the wrangle that follow
ed, to the mystification of the eager Wis
itors in the galleries, was at its height,
Major Pruden. the presidents executive
clerk. suddenly appeared in the main
aisle bearing the message instantly the
whispered word passed around the dense
galleries. THE message ''the message. -
It was like an electric shock. A hush fell
upon the vast assemblage. The lecislat-
ors who were fighting for the right Of
way fell apart. The speaker arose and
Major Pruden announced the massage
As it was carried down the aisle the gal
leries leaned over wit hbreathless inter-
est and the members settled in their
chairs. The seal of the envelope was
broken by the speaker himself, and the
message was handed to the clerk
The chair submits a message of the
president of the United States" an
nounced the speaker in clear distinct
tones.
As the reading began the ticking of the
clock could have been heard. so intense
was the silence. Every ear was strained.
Many members leaned over on their desks
with their hands to their ears to better
catch the momentous words which fell
from the lips of the clerk The latter read
in a loud. clear voice, but in monoto-
nous tone with no attempt at emphasis
or defamation. But the words needed no
defamation to add to their present i'm
port
There were no demonstrations of ap-
prevail or d;sapproval until toward the
latter part of the message came the
words: THE war must stop" It was
greeted with "a round Of applause from
about every quarter of the Republican
side. The galleries gave no sign. When
the reading was concluded a scattering
outburst came from the Republican side,
mingled with a few groans from the Dem
ocraHc side. Again the galleries were
silent
The speaker Immediately announced the
reference of the message and accompany
ing papers to the committee on foreign
affairs and without further action the
house proceeded to the consideration of
the District of Columbia business Immc-
diately the house was in an uproar Tho
spectators f1ocked from the galleries and
the members retired to the cloak rooms
and Hobbies to discuss the message. Tho
speaker was obliged to rap frequently
for order.
After some District business had been
transacted the contested election case Of
Fairchilds versus Ward. from the
Eighteenth Ney York district. was taken
up. After two hours debate the majority
report. in favor Of Mr.. Ward, the sit
ting member, was adopted, l3S TO y.
At ass the house adjourned.