The record-union., 1898-01-20


proval on the announcement OF the
vote.
The House, on Hits motion, went
into committee of the whole, and re-
sumed consideration of the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill. AS
soon as the first paragraph was read the
struggle was resumed
Williams CD of Mississippi offered
an amendment to direct the President
to appoint three Commissioners to pro-
ceed to Cuba, and if possible negotiate
a treaty of peace, anlity and commerce
with the Republic OF Cuba, and appro-
priating S15, 600 for defraying the ex-
penses of the. Commissioners.
1t was ruled out Of order
Immediately after Lewis R) of
Washington offered another amend
ment, providing that, to emphasize the
fact that d state Of war existed in nCuba,
the Consul-General at Havana be with
drawn, and the Government Of SPAN
be notified of a suspension Of diplo-
matic relations at that point.
Hit quickly raised point of order,
which, Hepburn, in the chair, sus-
tanned.
Il appeal from the decision of the
Chair said Lewis.
"And / make the point that the APP
peal is dilatory," exclaimed DalZell (R.)
of Pennsylvania.
1.-The Chair xstains the point" de-
clared Hepburn, who directed the Clerk
to proceed with the reading.
Excitement was at the boiling point,
and Terry CD of Arkansas shouted his
protest Can it be possible that We
have reached the point where this side
OF the House cannot appeal from the
decision of the Chair?' he called
Hepburn directed Terry to take his
seat, and the Clerk went on with the
reading.
Lewis found a parliamentary way Of
discussing his amendment, however, by
moving a pro forma amendment to
strike cut the last word.
Reading of the bill went on, inter-
ruptad evry few minutes by five-minute
speeches from the Democratic side On
Cuba.
Suzer CD of New York offered an
amendment directing the President TO
notify Spain that unless war ceased in
thirty days he would recognize the in
dependence of Cuba, and enforce our
proposition by force of arms.
It went the way of it's predecessors,
but Sulzer managed to get five minutes
on a pro forma amendment, in the
course of which he asked Hit whether
the Committee on Foreign Affairs in
tended to suppress all resolutions and
bills recognizing the frightful state of
affairs in Cuba.
Hit paid no attention to the ques-
ton.
''The gentleman, like his party, does
not answer" exclaimed Sulzer Il re-
fer him to the ST. Louis platform"
Democratic laughter and Republican
jeers.)
Wilson CD of South Carolina pre-
sented the Cuban question in still a
new form, in a hope to engraft it on
the bill. 1t provided for change IA
the salary of the United States Consul
General at Havana pending the con-
tinuance of the present war.
Wilson declared that It would be a
blot on the name of the House of Rep
resentatives if it prevented a vote on
the question of war in Cuba; a blot
comparable only to that of the law
written in blood and flame; written so
high that it could not be read
Hit opened the general debate with
brief but important statement as to
oru foreign relations with Spain and
Cuba, and the course of the Admins
tration. The present Executive, he
said, lad come into power a year ago.
His sentiments were well known. On
this floor and in all his public utter
ances he had shown his sympathy with
nrAIn e-f,a
condition.
Hastily he sketched the course of af-
fairs since McKinley's advent to
power. Hit said the President had
Immediately demanded the release of
American prisoners in Cuba In many
cases his demand was complied with,
but not in all. Then, by the hand of
an assassin, the leader of the policy of
stern conservative oppression had fall
en-. His successors pursued the same
policy until overthrown. When the
Liberal Ministry came in the President
had again pressed for the release of the
American prisoners. The Ministry
yielded at last, and all had been given
their freedom
But the President had gone further.
He had protested with such emphasis
and energy against the barbarities Of
the war and the policy of concentration
that General Weyler has been recalled
in disgrace, and the policy of concen-
tration had been abandoned. Further
even than this the President had gone.
He had notified the Sagasta Ministry
that the war must cease and proposals
Of settlement made within a reason
able time. These representations had
been made owing to the great interest
all over the country in the struggle the
Cubans were making. The Presidents S
representations had been listened TO by
Spain, and the scheme of self-govern-
ment, modelled upon that of Canada,
had been issued. Whether it would be
successful, he said, whether it was
practical or sincere many might doubt.
Perhaps.it would be a harsh judgment
now to say it had already failed But
that it was sincere events had already
made clear Those who understood
Spain and her Vaccinations far better
than we had passed Judgment and had
already attempted to destroy the auto
nomy scheme and to pull down the Sa-
gasta government which had proposed
it.
He thought it unwise f1.e me United
States at this time to recognize the bel
lfgerency Of the insurgents.
Hit admonished the members that a
national action must be vindicated be-
fore the world and that we must prove
in what we do that we are actuated by
no vulgar greed to rob neighbor or
to seize the property of others. A
declaration of belligerency, he ex-
planned, would allow Spain's warships
to hunt our vessels on the high seas
Hit smoke of the Spanish authority