Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-26

Washington, April 25.-The House of
Representatives today passed the bill
declaring the existence Of a state Of
war between the United States and the
kingdom Of Spain in manner which
cannot fail to impress the world.
The representatives of seventy mil
lion people voted for it without a
word of debate, without a dissenting
vote, and without roll call, but with
solemn appreciation Of the gravity
Of their momentous action.
1t required but one minute and
forty-one seconds to accomplish it.
The House was considering an cleo
ton case and simply paused to de-
clare war. There was no excitement,
no cavil, no word or question. 1t was
only in the great cheer that went up
from the floor and galleries when
Speaker Reed announced its passage,
that the tremendous import of the act
and the suppressed enthusiasm behind
it was shown.
After the Presidents message was
read the committee on foreign affairs
framed the resolution, Acting Chair
man Adams wrote the report, and it
was passed and on its way to the SEN
ate in an hour and six minutes. The
Speaker signed it at 4:49.
Mr.. Mcguire Dem, Cala.), arose to
ask a question when the resolution
was read, but refrained.
MR.. mcguire EXPLAINED
subsequently that his purpose in rising
was to ask whether the declaration in
the bill that war had existed since
April q was intended to legalize the
seizure of the Buena Ventura. Il con-
slider that act and other seizures up to
this time said he, emphatically,
nothing more than piracy
The House declined to agree to the
Senate amendments to the army reor-
ganization bill, and it was sent to
conference.
War and war measures were the
only topics discussed by the Senate to-
day during more than four hours of
convened when the message of the
IItSluCuL I'll SluS AOuSItSS W utCIdIc
the existence of war between the
United States and Spain was laid be-
fore it. Without comment the message
was referred to the foreign relations
committee.
Consideration of The naval ;appro-
priatiOn bill was resumed, the pending
question being upon an amendment
of Mr. Butler to reduce the price of
armOr plate, or, as an alternative, to
establish an armor factory. After a
long and bitter debate, in the course
of which Mr.. Butler was accused by
Mr.. Hawley, of Connecticut, of making
what in the circumstance would be
regarded as reasonable utterances,
the amendment was defeated. An
amendment of great Importance was
attached to the bill at the last minute
by Mr. Hale, chairman OF the naval
affairs committee. 1t authorized the
Secretary of the Navy
TO ENLIST AS MANY MEN
as he may deem enecessary to man the
ships Of the navy during the existing
war, and appropriates $8,S30,000 to en-
able him to carry the amendment into
effect The naval bill was then
passed.
The, army reorganization bill was re-
ported to the Senate with some amend
ments by Mr. Hawley of the military
affairs committee, and passed within
ten minutes 1t was not completed,
however. as the House nom concurred
in the Senate amendments and asked
for a conference.
At o'clock the Senate went into
secret legislative session and passed a
bill of the House declaring the exist
ence of war between the United States
, and Spain. Subsequently brief open
session was held during which minor
| business was transacted.
The war bill was brought from the
capitol by the clerk of the enrolling
division and reached the White House
a few minutes before o'clock. The
White House was almost deserted at
the time no one Of the cabinet being
with the President except Attorney
General Griggs The enrolled copy of
the bill was laid before the President
in his office Immediately, and he at
once went over the phraseology with
the Attorney General. The Presiden-
tial signature was affixed at 6:1S and
the measure was then the law of the
land. 1t will now follow the regular
course Of executive documents and will
be sent to the rolls division of the
State Department. where it will be
printed and published as other laws
and the original document will find it's
final resting place in the archives of
the State Department. although. as with
other momentous State papers, a pho
tographic copy will probably be event
ually prepared for exhibition in the de-
partment
POLLING IS THE BILL
passed Congress and signed by the
President:
A bill declaring that war exists be-
tween the United States of America and
the kingdom Of Spain.
Be it enacted, etc:
First. that war be- and the same is
hereby declared to exist and that war
has existed since the 21st day of April,
A. D. 1898, including said day, be-
tween the United States of America and
the kingdom of Spain.
Second. that the President of the
United States be, and he is hereby di-
rected and empowered. to use the entire
land and naval forces of the United
States. and 10 call into the actual SER
vice of the United States the militia OF
the several States to such extent as