The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-20

rectly.
Washington, Japuary 19.-When the
House convened to-day, the leaders on
both sides were rallying their forces and
it was apparent that the battle over Cuba
which ragged yesterday was to continue
TODAY. The attendan on the floor and
galleries was very large
Mr.. Linney from the committee on
elections No. L. reported that N. q. u.
Conner, who filed "A contest against Henry
6. Clayton, from the Third Alabama dis
trict, had abandoned his contest and on
his motion resolution was adopted de-
claring Mr.. Clayton entitled to his seat.
Mr.. Grout reported the District OF
Columbia appropriation BILL
Mr.. Lacey asked unanimous consent for
the consideration of bill extending the
homestead laws to the territory Of Alaska
and to grant a right of way to any rail.
road company organized under the laws
Of any state.
Mr. Brucker asked unanimous consent
for the consideration of O resolution
which he. sent to the clerks desk.
The Speaker took occasion to examine
the resolution and while doing so, Mr..
Bailey, the leader of the minority, loudly
demanded that the resolution be reported.
The Speaker thereupon directed the
clerk to read the resolution, which proved
to be one to instruct the committee on
foreign affairs to report without further
delay the Senate Cuban belligerency reso-
luton.
Like flash Mr.. Hitt, chairman of the
foreign coommittee, was ON his feet with
point of order which the Speaker
promptly sustained and was about to
recognize Mr.. Hit to call up the diplo-
matte and consular appropriation bill,
lone moment please, - he said, let us
first dispose of this question of order.
"The chair sustained the point OF
order,'' retorted the Speaker.
"Then appeal,'' oallad Mr.. Bailey to
Mr.. Brucker across the floor
The Michigan member entered an ap-
peal from the decision OF the chair.
Ali was instantly excitement and con-
fusion. ~es 81
A dozen of the members were on their
feet demanding recognition TO debate the
appeal, but the Speaker recognized Mr..
Dalzell, who moved to lay the appeal on
the table.
This cut off debate and the Speaker
put the question.
On rising vote the Republicans stood
firm and voted I07 to 80 to lay the appeal
on the table.
The yeas and nays were demanded and
obtained by Mr.. Bailey:
The Democrats VINO expected to see the
Republican line broken were disappointed.
The majority presented an unbroken
front.
Mr.. White of North Carolina, the soli-
tary colored member of the Houss, when
his name was called declined to vote at
all answering present" but at the con-
clusion of the roll call, he thought better
of his resolution and voted aye.
The motionEto lay the nappeal on the
| table was carried 1853 to 1876.
There was no manifestation OF applause
on the announcement of the vote.
| The house on Mr.. Hits motion went
| into the committee of the whole and re-
sumed the consideration of the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill. AS the
| first paragraph was read, the struggle
was resumed.
| MIR. Williams offered an amendment to
direct the President to appoint three COM
missioners to proceed to Oubs and If pos
sibie negotiate treaty OF peace and
| treaty of commerce. and appropHiating
| Sl00 900 for defraying the expenses OF the
commissioners.
| 1t was ruled out OF order.
| Immediately afterward Mr.. Lewis
| offered another amendment providing
that to emphasize the fact that a state OF
war existed in Cuba, the consul general
of the United States at Havana be With
drawn and the government of spain De
notified of suspension of diplomatic
relations at that point.
Mr.. Hit quickly raised point OF order
| which MIR. Hepburn, in the chair, sus-
| tanned.
"I appeal from the decision OF the
chair" said Mr. Lewis.
| "And I make the point that the appeal
is dilatory," exclaimed Mr.. Dalzell. :,
"The chair sustains the point OF order,
declared Mr.. Hepburn, who directed the
clerk to proceed with the reading.
| Excitement was at boiling point anu
MIR. Terry shouted his protest.
"Can it be possible that we have reacneu
| the point where this side of the House
cannot appeal from the decision of the
chair?'' he called.
Mr.. Hepburn directed Mr.. Terry to take
his seat and the clerk droned on with the
reading.
Mr.. Lewis found parliamentary way
Vi ulSCub5lAS MS dIilGuGIll6Dus AASVStSA
by moving pro forma amendment &c
strike out the last word.
Mr.. Lewis then drew parallel between
his amendment and one offered by Mr
Hepburn In the last Congress instruotlne
the President to dismiss the representa-
tive of the Sultan Of Turkey at this
capital.
|, Mr.. McCreary, Democrat of KentuoEy
at that time had made the point OF oroel
that the amendment was not germane
and had been overruled Chairman Hit
J pointed out that his point was that sMnt M
, amendment was new legislation. he ole
not contend that it was not gernane.
The reading OF the bill went on, inter
rupted every few minutes by five mlnut'
speeches from the Democratic sl'e u
Cuba.
Mr.. Sulzer, Democrat of New. York
offered an amendment directing ~ ~
President to notify Spain that unless W..
war ceased in thirty days we Wouie
recognize the independence of Cuha ah. h
enforce our position by arms. 1t wehp Uh'
way OF its predecessors. =.
r dish Of Michigan politics was ~
E iectod into the proceedings at this po1n
by q controversy between Messrs. b.h bru.h
er and Bishop, Repu blican of thai st..su Gox,
The former read some remarks OF oos