Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-18
Exciting Scenes in the House in the
Early Hours.
DESPERATE CONTENTION FOR CONTROL
Pressure Brought to Bear Upon
RecaIcitrant Republicans.
DEMOCRATIC CON FUSION


O'Clock and the reassembling at II. 1t was
like the struggle of two mighty wrestlers,
first one bending beneath the force and
then the other. Reed was never known be-
fore 20 work so hard and so openly for any
cause. Lacking confidence of the strength
on his own side, or unwilling to take any
chances, he even extended his efforts to the
democratic side. Every republican in the
House who Is follower of the admInistra-
ton was enlisted in the cause of non-con-
currence in the Senate amendments. The
most terrific pressure that can be brought
republicans who insisted on voting for con-
we'll Of Ohio were subjected to the most Sc
we're pressure. Openly. in the presence of
the whole assemblage large grouIs OF ad-
ministration followers PIE sed around them,
arguing and gesticulating. Every other re-
calcitrant was surrounded by a group of
protesting and insistent members Every
argument that could appeal to party man
was made, after attempts at logical reason
ing and special representation had failed.
The speech made by Mr.. Elkins in the Sen
ate In defense of the House resolution,
though suppressed and but imperfectly un-
who insist on concurrence. as 1t excited
their suspicion; and the fact that the For
aker resolution was supported by such
strong republican partisans in the Senate
as Thurston. Quay. Penrose, Chandler Ma
son. Foraker and others was advanced as
an answer to the partisan appeals.
Senator's Also at Work.
1t was understood that these senator's
were active in trying to secure concurrence
Mr.. Quay was understood to be particularly
persistent in urging the Pennsylvania dele
CATION to stand by the Senate resolution.
Mr.. Dalzell was working on the other side.
and there was a sharp contest between
them for control of the delegation. 1t was
understood that this delegation was seri-
ously divided, and they went into confer
ence to try to settle their differences. In
the Illinois delegation the same sort of con-
test was waged to the last, headed by Mr..
Lorimer and Mr.. Mann, VINO were support
ed strongly by Senator Mason and Gov
ernor Tanner of Illinois. who sent dis
patches to all the Illinois delegation to sup
port the Senate resolution if they felt that
they could &C consistently do so.
In the Ohio delegation also there was a
fierce struggle, Mr.. Bromwell and the For
aker people fighting with all their might
for the Senate resolution. In other delega-
tions similar condition Of affairs existed,
and the struggle was determined and bit
ter. Meanwhile Mr.. Reed moved slowly
about among the members or held whis-
pered conferences with his lieutenants.
Confusion Among Democrats.
On the democratic side Of the House
there was almost as much confusion. A
few were insisting that the nronoS{t{op IN
concur with an amendment striking out
the recognition Of the republic should be
supported by democrats, but the main body
insisted on simple concurrence in the Sen
ate amendment. A caucus was suggested
and on the point of being asked for,
but was abandoned as being calculated to
give partisan character to their action.
The forces of the radical pro-Cuban re-
publicans-the "recalcitrants'-which few
days ago numbered over hundred slowly
melted away under the heat Of friction AMI
party pressure. Just before the House met
at Il o'clock the leaders Of the recalcitrants
claimed but about eighteen on whom they
could certainly rely, but said they would
have more than that On the vote.
Plan of Procedure,
The plan of procedure adopted was for
the administration and the conservative"
forces to all vote to concur in the resolu-
ton with an amendment striking out the
recognition of the republic of Cuba The
opposition motion was to concur without
further amendment, this latter motion to be
supported by such members of the House
who agree with the Senate.
question arose as to who should maks
the motion to concur. The democrats were
to make 1t, but 1t was said by republicans
on that side Of the question that the mo-
tion would have more supporters on the re-
publican side If made by a republican Mr.
Bromwell was selected to make the motion,
and IT was understood that the democrats
would stand aside and let him make It, At
the hour of the assembling of the House
the little band Of recaIcitrants, reduced be-
low the necessary number to carry their
point, were standing firm. with hope that
their attitude would force others whose
constituents demand vigorous action to
join them.
1t seemed then almost a toss-up which
side would win, but the administration fac
ton seemed to have the advantage Of the
toss.
The Conservative Argument.
The strong argument on the conservative
AAONSS
Senate resolutions as reported by the for
eign relations committee of that body the
Senate could afford to yield on the ques-
ton of immediate recognition of the repub-
lie. They insisted that the Senate could af-
ford to do this since war was rendered in
evitable by the resolutions, even without
the recognition clause, and that the early
recognition of independence was also as
sured without that clause.
All the Pennsylvania delegation were
present at the conference Of that delegation
except Bingham, Harmer, Olmstead, Brosi-
US and Codding, and but three Of them, 1t
was said. stood by Quay's position. These
three, who declared that they would vote
to concur In the Senate resolution. were
w. A. Stone. Davenport and Young. Culp
did not commit himself.
Up to the hour Of voting many members
did not know how they would vote. Some
Of them seemed to change position every
few minutes. A most extraordinary con-
fusion bewildered the situation.
Immediately after tho reading OF the
journal the resolutions coming over from
the Senate were laid befoxe the House and