The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-13
ARGUED in FAVOR OF GU
BAN INDEPENDENCE.
Senator Pettus Says Congress Can
not Delegate Powers.
Unable TO TRANSFER RIGHT OF
DECLARING WAR.

Senator Butler Talks on Presidents Mes
sage and Regrets That a Firm Policy
Had Not Been Outlined-HoIds That
Intervention Without Recognition
Means Crushing Patriots-Sundry Civil
Bill Considered.
Washington, April l2.-For nearly three
hours the Senate had the Cuban question
in its several phases under discussion.
Thres resolutions bearing upon the ques-
ton were introduced by Mr.. Lindsay of
Kentucky directing that the contemplated
operations against the Spanish army in
Cuba be in concert with General Gomez
the supreme command to be vested in the
commander of the United States forces to
the end that the independence of the
Cubans be secured; the second by Mr.
Wilson, of Washington, directing the
President at once to take such steps as
will secure to the Cuban people an indie
pendent government and the third by Mr..
Allen Of Nebraska, declaring the existence
of war in Cuba ano directing the Presi-
dent to take steps to stop it and secure to
the people of the island a stable and indie
pendent government.
Following the introduction of resolution
speeches were delivered by Mr.. Pettus of
Alabama, Mr.. Mason of Illinois, and Mr..
Butler of North Carolina.
Judge Pebtus presented an argument
that the Congress could not delegate to
the President the power to make war
either in a general or in a special sense
and declared that the making of war
without an express declaration by Con-
gress would be disgrace to the nation.
Mr.. Mason's speech was largely legal
argument in favor of the recognition of
independence of the Cuban republic and
was delivered with characteristic fire and
vehe1nence. Mr. Butler spoke for the
"opposition" on the floor of the Senate,
maintaining that it had thus far upheld
the hands of the administration in the
present crisis and would continue to do
SO for definite and vigorous policy. He
regretted that the President had not pre-
sented such policy to Congress and held
that intervention without the recognition
of the patriots.
Consideration of the sundry civil bill
was resumed but no progress was made,
an extended discussion being precipitated
over the old question of using steam
presses instead of hand presses in the bu-
reau of engraving and printing which is
a branch of the treasury department.
Washington, April l2.-Great crowds
were again today attracted to the Capitol
by an expected discussion Of the Cuban
situation. Especially was this true of the
Senate side as the announcement given
Yesterday by Mr.. Mason Of Illinois that
he would address the Senate today on the
subject of the recognition of Cuban in
de- endence served to assure those who
gained admission to the Senate galleries
that they would be repaid for their
coming. In consequence the galleries
were filled an hour before the Senate con.
vened
| Mr.. Hale reported from the COMMITTEES
| ON appropriations, the naval appropria-
ton bill, and gave notice that he would
call it up for consideration, as soon as
| Duo Suhbly WIN I'LL was ilbpOoCti III.
| Mr.. Lindsay of Kentucky offered the
following resolution and asked that it be
laid on the table:
First-That the contemplated military
operations against the Spanish armies on
the island of Cuba should be carried on
in concert with the military forces under
the command OF General Maxine Gomez;
such concert to be secured through ar
| rargements between this government and
the Cuban revolutionary authorities
recognized by said Gomez. and that any
offer looking to such arrangements that
may be made by those authorities should
be favorably considered. provided it shall
concede to the commanding officer of the
United States the right to control and
direct all military operations.
Second That all such military opera.
tions should be carried on to the end tnat
the independence of the Cuban people
may be secured.
MIR. Wilson of Washington, introduced
the following joint resolution:
Whereas The conditions, which for
three years past have prevailed and are
now prevailing in the Island of Cuba
have become intolerable to the people of
the United States, therefore. be it
Resolved, That the President of the