The Portland daily press., 1898-03-25


matte in the intensity OF its interest was
presented in the Senate today during the
delivery by Mr.. Thurston of Nebraska
OF speech on the Cuban situation. Not
since the inauguration Of President Nc
Kinley have SO many persons been on the
Senate side of the Capitol as were there
today. The galleries were packed Even
the diplomatic gallery which is rarely
occupied was filed, among those in 1t be-
ing Senior Mendonca the Brazilian minis
ter and party ex-Secretary of State John
W. Foster and Mrs. Foster and many Ia
dies and gentlemen from the various for
eign legations.
Within a few minutes after the Senate
convened, every senator who could be
present, was in his seat and by the time
Mr.. Thurston had begun his speech doz-
ems of memb bers of the House were either
standing or occupying chairs in the area
without the semi-circle of seats. A jar
toms desk, but he spoke from that of Mr..
Hawley, in the central part of the cham
ber. His first sentence, in which he said
he spoke by command OF silent lips, in
a delicate and touching reference to the
loss of his wife on his memorable trip to
Cuba. commanded instant attention. A
hush fell over the great audience which
hung with almost breathless attention
and interest upon every word.
Some surprise has been expressed that
Senator Thurston should appear in pub
liz prominently so soon after the demise
of Mrs. Th lrstou, but the first sentence
of his speech furnished the key to his
action. 1t is true that Mr.. Thurston, S
speech today, viewed from one stand :.
point, was an usnsual proceeding, but 1T
was justified by the conditions attending
it. Mrs. Thurston's dying request to her
husband was that he should lose no time
on account OF her death to do his duty
to save and free Cuba and its people. In
accordance with this request, therefore,
Senator Thurston sacrificed his personal
feelings and delivered his speech, speech
that was his tribute to the memory OF
Mrs. Thurston.
Without knowing the motive which
animated Mr.. Thurston, and inspired
him to his best efforts his auditors in
stinctively realized and thoroughly SYM
pathized with his evident emotion.
The speech was very generally regarded
as mastery effort and even those who
COulu uOb dSTcc WlUu AiS OOlClusAOAS Coh-
ceded the power of his grafton. AS b
neared the end OF his speech. his voice,
which had been clear and ringing. notsb-
ly broke. He was almost overcome by
emotion but rallied with an effort and
closed in a manner that thrilled his au-
ditors.
Staid and dignified senators turned
away and wept and in the galleries tears
welled to hundreds of eyes. 1t was a
remarkable scene and the stiffness until
the last word had been pronounced was
as of death.
AS Mr.. Thurston sank into his seat and
buried his face in his hands, the galleries
were swept by such a tumult of applause
as has not IN long time been heard In
the Senate chamber AS a brother might
have done, Mr.. Allen, Mr.. Thurston $
colleague from Nebraska, walked to him
and placed his arm over his shoulders.
quietly led him from the chamber. The
act was one of the spontaneous and touch
ING amenities amid the turbulence and
discord of political life.
Washington. March 24.-An honr and
a half before the Sen ate convened today
L II