Omaha daily bee., 1898-03-09

prlation must not be construct into threat.
Nothing was further from the minds OF those
who reported 1t. This appropriation was to
be placed in the hands OF a wise and patriotic
executive TO make proper preparations to
maintain the national honor, nothing more.
at is not war appropriation" said he en-
phatically, II say that In my judgment,
measuring my words. that 1t is a peace
measure. The government of the United
States would not IL it could trench on the
rights OF any nation on earth" Great ap-
plause.)
Mr.. Sayers of Texas the ranking member
Of the minority, followed Mr.. Cannon. His
first statement. to the effect that Ia the
presence Of possible danger this appropria-
tion had met with the hearty and unani-
nous endorsement of the appropriated COM
mittee without regard to party, aroused the
house to enthusiasm.
1T is NOT A THREAT.
He, too, declared that 1t could not be con-
strued a threat. 1t was simply a wise and
patriotic precaution. the arming of the ex-
ecutive with power to maintain our dignity
after congress adjourned.
Mr.. Sayers expressed confidence that the
money voted would be wisely and econom-
ically expended, and closed amid great ap-
p!ause by saying that he for one would be
found giving honest and sincere support to
the president In his efforts to support the
honor and dignity Of the American nation.
Mr.. Dockery dem, MOI began by saying
that the hour for action had arrived, and
the American people must face an important
emergency in which no American could
fater. At such time party lines should be
laid aside.
Mr.. Livingston dem, Ga.) supported the
measure in a vigorous speech. He said he
took this position because he believed an
emergency exists, but he contended that IL
the administration had acted as it should
have done twelve months ago in declaring a
state Of belligerency the present occasion
for voting emergency money would have been
avoided.
Mr.. Allen (dem., Mss) was next recog-
nzed amid general expectancy. He did not
make a humorous speech, but a patriotic
one. 81 DESIRE" he began, "to say for the
people represent, and for the southern sec
tion Of the country, that there was never a
time when all were so ready to give an ad-
| ministration all the money 1t may need to
preserve the honor, the dignity, and the gen.
>
| Of fair play and Justice"
| The people of the south, he continued,
ask for nothing more. They are not jingoes,
nor extremists, but they are facing the
| emergency calmly and quietly, only asking
that the country's institutions and traditions
may be protected and respected. They do
not want to hurt anybody, and are not urg-
ing any rash act cn, but they are ready to
honor any draft, whether for men or money,
| to keep the flag afloat
| WOULD INCREASE THE SUM.
| Mr.. McRae dem, Ark) followed in SIM
| liar strain. He said the occasion was the
most important that had confronted the peo-
pie in the last half century. If necessary
to protect our honor and dignity he was will
| ing to increase the appropriation to any ex-
| teQt for the flag which foated over the cap
ital was his flag and the flag Of his people
and it must be kept there.
Mr.. Bell (pop., Colo) spoke earnestly for
| the bill. There were. he said, now no pop
ulists, no republicans and no democrats, but
| all were American citizens. There was no
| time to dwell upon what might have been,
but 1t was enough to know that the time had
| come when the government needed support.
Mr.. Northway rep, o. declared that he
| did not consider the bill a war measure, but
| rather as one calculated to preserve and
secure peace. At the same time he said, we
| all know full we'll that there is a spirit OF
war abroad and our relations with other
| countries appear to render this step neces-
sary. He was pleased to see that the mem
bers were speaking not as partisans but as
patriots, bringing to his mind the familiar
lines:
| Breathes there a man with soul so dead,
| Who to himself has never said
This Is my own my native land"
Mr.. Boutelle, chairman of naval affairs
committee, said that while no argument waa
| necessary on this measure he desired to say
that he had been instructed by his COM
| mittee to express the hearty endorsement OF
| that committee. His only regret he said, was
that this appropriation was not allowed to
| stand absolutely alone as a proclamation to
our country and to the world that congress
stood ready to vote millions to arm the ex-
ecutive to uphold the dignity of the flag.
FJRMNESS BETTER THAN BRAVADO.
Mr.. Hopkins rep, Ill), after stating his
great confidence in the president, expressed
| the hope that there would be no war.
Tkirty-three years Of peace, he said, had
not oblterated the ravages OF the civil war
We did not want its horrors repeated We
are too powerful to play the bully, too Chris
tian to wantonly engage in war. Let US not
be hysterical. Let us show the world that
moderation and frmness are more than
hustle and bravado; that a wise conservatism
| will do more than jingoism to obtain the
independence OF Cuba.
Mr. Cooper (dem., Tex). in a speech OF
two minutes, recalled the eloquent words
millions for defense, but not cent for
| tribute Our cSast was exposed, he said
from Maine to the Rio Grande, and in the
face Of war it was the duty of all, without
regard to party, to support any measure for
the national defense. "The aspirations OF
my SOUL" he concluded, "are that war may
be avoided, but should 1t come I say to you
in behalf of my beloved Texans that they
will rush to the nations defense cheer
fully"
Mr.. Bland said that while no debate was
essential to the passage of the bill il was
important to show the country that the
American people, without distinction o
party, were ready to uphold the admins
tratlon in the present crisis.
Nc. Fitzgerald (dem., Mass.) took occasion
to refer to the alleged utterauce OF Catholi
81 ,f,a