Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-04-07
SENATORS FOR WAR.
Several Speeches Made Fayoring
Armed Intervention in Cuba.
SUNDRY CIVIL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Debate on Forest Keserves-Dull Day In the
Honse-No Outbreaks on the Cuban
Question - Evening Session for
Private Pension Bills.

WASHINGTON. April 6.-The resolu-
ton offered by Senator Turner, of Wash.
ington, declaring war against Spain,
was laid before the senate yesterday
and its author took the floor in advo-
cacy OF it. Discussing the Maine dis.
aster upon which Senator Turner
practically based his speech, he de.
clared that no reasonable man could
fail to realize that the battleship was
destroyed through cowardlce and per-
fidy of Spanish officials who, by their
action, made their government re-
sponsible for the crime.
brief but pointed statement Of his
position on the Cuban question was
then made by Senator Harris, Of Kan
sas. He had prepared his speech, which
he read from the manuscript. After re-
Viewing the position of the United
States and Spain with reference to
Cuba. he maintained that for q long
time this country had been fully justi-
fed in enforcing her demands by
armed Intervention. He declared that
our wrath was righteous wrath and
our action would not in any sense be
revenge. In conclusion, he said that a
just war promotes all that is highest
and best in national life.
Senator Kennedy, of Delaware, fol-
lowed with strong appeal for the in
dependence of the Cubans.
Senator Chandler, Of New Hamp-
shire, then submitted some remarks.
He said the United States ought to i'm
mediately declare war against Spain
and to maintain that war until the
people OF Cuba are made free from
Spanish starvation and cruelty and
the government OF the island finally
established as an independent repub-
lie. The reasons for declaring war are
apparent to the world.
Senator Turpie, Of Indiana, member
Of Che foreign relations committee,
followed Senator Chandler. He said
it was the duty of the American con.
gress to intervene for the Cuban repub.
lie. The United States had main.
tanned blockade for Spain at great
cost. The government Of Cuba ought
to be recognized, maintained and sup.
ported. Senator Turpie said 1t had
cost US millions TO shut off the supply
Of ammunition which would have en-
abled the Cuban government to secure
its freedom.
The senate then resumed considera-
ton Of the sundry civil appropriation
bill, taking up the amendment sug-
gested by the committee, vacating the
executive order Of February %, 1897,
setting aside large tracts of lands in
the western states for forest reserva-
tions. The amendment was oonsid-
cred on the basis of Senator Chandeliers
suggestion amending the amendment
SO as TO limit the revocation to year.
After an extended debate, Senator
Chandler's amendment was defeated
and the committee amendment adopt
ed, both without division.
An amendment affecting the land
grant of the Northern Pacific Railroad
company and allowing purchasers to
select equal quantities of public lands
elsewhere was also agreed to. The
sundry civil bill was then laid aside
and a joint resolution providing for
the erection in this city Of monu.
ment to the late Albert Pike, to be
presented to the United States by the
Scottish Rite Masons of the south
ern jurisdiction of this country, was
adopted.
The senate then, at 4.O5 p. m, went
into executive session and soon there
after adjourned, the relations Of the
United States with Spain being the
uppermost topic considered.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, April 6.-The crowds
which thronged the galleries Of the
house yesterday were disappointed.
There were no outbreaks OF any kind
on the floor on the Cuban question.
The whole day was spent on the pri-
vate calendar, with the result that sew
eral bills were passed, among them
one to pay the heirs Of John Roach,
the shipbuilder, Ss3O,OOO on claim
which has been pending dozen years,
and another to pay 0. c. Bosbyshell,
superintendent of the Philadelphia
mint, $1,000 extracted from the gold
vaults by weighing clerk.
At five o'clock the house recessed
until eight p. M, the evening session
being devoted to private pension bills.
The bill introduced by Representative
Frederick, granting pension to Cora
L. Robinson, of Centralia, Kan, was
passed. Mrs. Robinson is the widow
of Lieut.. Robinson, of the revenue
marine service, who was drowned in
the performance of his duty.