The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-01
ington. much to the delight of the Re-
Mr.. Lcuis's Rejoinder.


far Northwest came off victor. in his
reply Mr.. Lewis said:
Mr.. Chairman: Having had during my
past service in this House. nothing APP
parently but the kindest and most cour-
teous associations with the gentleman
from Indiana CMr. Johnson / was some
what at a loss TO understand what partic-
ular motive animated him in his effort to
create an eXCitation of the risibilities of
this House by making me the special sub
ject Of his most elastic, reverberating and
perplexing remarks (Applause)
THE gentleman took occasion to OBJ
serve that, if one desired to come to the
rescue of Spain, far from appropriating
81, O00,0 600. he would advise that the gen
tleman from Washington be substituted.
ITO that extent it will be admitted that
the gentleman from Washington at least
has the qualification OF firing his own
gun at his own pleasure, and whenever he
sees the enemy in sight. Unfortunately
for the gentleman from Indiana, if Cuba
has been casting her eye to his record or
the record Of the other side of the House.
she would certainly not expect him to
come to her rescue. but rather in her
charity seek that he should declare first
his own independence. daughter and
applause on the Democratic side.)
From day to day, Mr.. Chairman, we
have watched that singular restlessness
with which the gentleman, like a Gagged
lion, would pace up and down the aisle
in front of the Speaker. each day COM
ing TO our side and promising that in the
next hour he would no longer chafe be-
meath the yoke of the Speaker of the
House, but would rise in his might and
dispatch him with an army of words.
daughter.)
.sTsut for soy,,a rooeo, -,-J,o,,- +bo c,o,Iy
er would cast his ferocious eye at the
gentleman. he would wilt like a leaf in
the heat. daughter and applause.)
Day after day, ! have never a doubt,
his beseeching constituents have been
trying TO persuade him to take the muz-
zle from his mouth and the shackles
/ from his limbs; but fearing Mr.. Speaker,
| to move in the direction that common
| decency, justice, and independence would
| require, he thought it would be an APP
propriate thing TO turn upon a gentle
man who never offended him. trusting
that he might infuse into the House
| some sense of spontaneous humor and be
| known hereafter as a wit. Uaughter)
| Il do not know, Mr.. Chairman, whether
the President Of the United States has
selected the gentleman as his Fidus
Achates, as his good friend and defender
| on this floor; but certainly if such is the
case, then as an humble adviser of the
President, l would suggest that he join
in the prayer of Caesar to be delivered
| from his friends. daughter and ap
plause)
IF 1t should come to pass that the
President should receive, as some people
In certain quarters hope, and others fear,
his political death, then those who may
write his obituary, If the gentleman from
Indiana continues in the course he has
been pursuing, may content themselves
with the eulogy: Too much Johnson"
cloud continued laughter and applause.)
Cubn to the Fore.
This tilt between Messrs Lewis and
Johnson relegated the naval bill TO the
limbo of retirement, and brought the Gu
ban question right to the front.
It came up with something of a par
tisan turn. impaired to it by the Repub-
licans. Mr.. Johnson had sought to de-
| pict the President as man Of wonderful
| courage, wisdom and patriotism. one
who had achieved much in the way Of
maintaining peace, despite the turbulent
| attitude of the Democratic party.
Mr.. McIntire of Baltimore, in appeal
! ing for an appropriation for the Naval
| Academy, had charged that the Demo-
Gratis had been unfriendIy TO that institu-
| ton. Their taunts irritated the Demo-
| Gratis. and they made the debate lively
and interesting.
Mr.. Bailey Takes Up the CudseI.
The speech of the day was made by Mr.
Bailey He followed Mr.. Johnson and
made the latter wriggle and squirm until
he repudiated most of the speech he had
so earnestly delivered.
In the course Of his speech Mr.. Johnson
lauded the President for endeavoring to
| negotiate the purchase Of the freedom of
| Cuba. He said the President had conduct
ed negotiations until he had brought the
Spaniards and CUbans so near together
that only S1G1 0g1, 600 separated them; that
the Cubans were willing to pay that price
for their liberty, and If the President were
let alone he would conduct the negotiation
| to a successful issue on that basis.
Mr.. Bailey in reply said he fully under
| stood the standing and influence of Mr..
| Johnson in the Republican party; he, as
| well as members on both sides of the
House. knew that Mr.. Johnsons stand
ing and influence in his party entitled
him to speak by authority. Mr.. Johnson
| always spoke with a full knowledge OF
| what he said.
With whitening sarcasm Mr.. Bailey then
depicted the Republican party as the bro
ller of Cuban liberty; as the party under
taking TO compel the Cubans to purchase
| the freedom they had already won by
the sword. He said that the very idea OF
making liberty a commodity was repulsive
mentioned that liberty was not TO be
bought and that the very suggestion of a
money deal was disgraceful to the Admin
istration.
Mr.. Bailey referred to Mr.. Johnson as a
friend and champion of the President and
said that when the member from Indiana
spoke OF n pending negotiation looking to
the purchase OF Cuban liberty he knew
what he was talking about.
, Mr.. johnson interrupted TO disclaim any
responsibility for charging the President
with a purpose to bring about n purchase
Of Cuba by the Cubans but Mr.. Bailey
called for the report of the official ste
J | nographer Of the House, which showed
! that Mr.. Johnson had said that the Presi
. dent was considering that proposition
Mr.. Grosvenor Takes HIND
Gen. Grosvenor entered the arena as
champion of the President. He said tina
5 the assertion that the President though
] Of negotiating the purchase Of Cuba wa
I | a tale told by an idiot" He declared tina
the President was fully abreast of tn,
] most advanced sentiment OF the country
[ | that the active preparations going on II
q | the navy yards and in the arsenals show
! ed that the President was getting read.
for war.
Mr. Bailey replied TO Gen. Grosvenor
He said the latter had usually observed
E the prophecies of decency and debate. Blu
D | he had not done so on this occasion. MI
c Bailey then said that In charging idioc.
to the author Of the assertion that tn
2 President had contemplated bringin
e about the purchase of Cuban liberty
+ Grosvenor applied the criticism TO John
a son Of Indiana, who was responsible 70
e ! the statement. Johnson was far su
e perior to Grosvenor as an eagle was TO
a dirt worm said Bailey.
n The House adjourned Just before