The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-01
CHEERS, JEERS AND KISSES
EXCITING SCENES IN HOUSE or
REPREsENTATIvBs.


Baileyof Texas and johnson of Indiana
Make Brilliant Speeches-BaiIey De-
clares Cuba Should be Free Even If war
is Necessary to Bring Freedom About
johnson Greeted With Kisses in Conn
mencing Plea for Peace-Faces Gallery
Like Spartan.
washington, March S1.-For three
hours to-day the packed galleries and
excited members of the house listened
to passionate outburst Of oratory on
the Cuban question, during which the
intensity Of feeling was alternately
manifested by cheers, jeers and hisses.
Time and again the excited throngs in
the galleries We're admonished to be
silent. The speeches which stirred the
assemblage were made by Mr.. Gros-
venor Of Ohio, who, it is assumed,
spoke for the administration, and who
practically pledged it to the cause OF
free Cuba, and Mr.. Bailey of Texas, the
democratic leader, who announced the
democratic position as for free Cuba
without war if it could be avoided, but
with war If necessary, and Mr.. johns
son of Indiana, who spoke for peace,
declaring that it was our duty to go to
the extreme in magnanimity to avoid
the horrors Of war.
Mr. avis a .I~8s
ington, provoked the speech OF MI.
Johnson, which aroused the members
and the galleries to the fever pitch Of
excitement. Mr.. Lewis had denounced
the proposition that Cuba purchase her
freedom from Spain, which, it was al
legged the administration was fostering.2
Then Mr. Johnson in a brilliant speech
pleaded for peace. Like the Spartan
he faced the storm of Kisses which
swept down from the galleries and with
passionate utterance adjured members
to pause before they plunged the coun-
try into war. He gave it as his opinion
that If an ultimatum had been sent to
Spain 1t meant war, as Spain's pride
would not permit her to humiliate her
self before the world. He eulogized
every influence that made for peace
and declared his belief that the Cuban
junta would agree to pay s1o0, 900
for the independence of the island.
Mr.. Bailey, the democratic leader, iii
ringing speech set his followers and
the galleries wild, announced his be-
lief, from what Mr.. Johnson had said,
that the purpose of the republicans in
refusing to join with the democrats to
give the administration an opportunity
to compel the Cuban patriots to buy
the independence they had won from
the butchers Of Spain. He said he, too
deplored war and in describing it's hor-
rors as the southern people had known
them, drew tears from the eyes Of some
of his colleagues. He declared there
was yet chance to avert war. He
had been told that within twenty-four
hours by a representative of the Cuban
junta that all the Cubans wanted was
to have their independence recognized,
as with the munitions of war and the
recruits they could then obtain their
independence could be achieved. This
speech drew the fire Of General Grosve-
nor. He challenged Mr.. Bailey with
attempting to make political capital.
He denounced the statement that the
administration attempted to force Gu
ba to buy freedom and declared from
the president down the administration
was to free Cuba He thrilled his au-
ditors when he asked what meant the
preparations that were going on
night and day. After Mr.. Grosvenor
concluded the debate went on, several
members taking part. Little progress
was made with the naval bill, the only
important amendment adopted was one
appropriating s5O0,0OO for the erection
of new buildings at the navy academy.
The Speeches in Full.
Mr.. Johnson's speech was as fol-
lows: IT have realized from the
start said he, "that the danger to
the country was the hotheadedness Of
those men who never stop to reflect in
to what they would precipitate the
country. My voice has been and still
is for peace. I am opposed to war
which involves a vast expenditure of
public money, burdens of taxation, the
issuing of paper money and period Of
wild speculation. War, while it affords
opportunities for exalted patriotism
and devotion to the flag opens UP an
opportunity for the vultM - would
go to war only as a last resort. r.
would not sacrifice precious American
blood except our quarrel should be q.
just one that would bring every Ameri-
can to the support of his countrys
flag and that would carry with it the
moral support of the civilized world.
1 believe that If this house and the SEN
OF hod eix fho -
press all diplomatic and moral persua-
sion that will not interfere unduly with
Spain, thirty days from this time
would not have elapsed until Cuba
would be an independent state. Spain
knows she cannot conquer the insur-
gents and that if she proposes to do so
now it will be war with this nation.
Gentlemen talk about the influence Of
the bankers and the monetary and bus
mess interests of the world. I will not
criticise an influence, monetary or oth-
erwise, that can make for peace. If
the president has sent an ultimatum to
Spain, 1t means war; if you tell her to
get out you will make war. You ex-
cite Spanish pride. You leave Sagasta
in condition that he is not able to
complete negotiations. You will shed
American blood. You will expend mil
lions of treasure in achieving Cuban
independence. At what a. cost? Stop