The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-14
MOMENToUs AND EXCITING.
Another Review of the Proceedings
of Congress.

Associated Press Report
WASHINGTON. April 13.--It has been a
day of momentous and exciting events in
Congress. Not in years have both houses
been engaged in the consideration of such
important business as that which was
brought before them to-day. Both commit
tees having in charge foreign affairs re-
ported resolutions, the tenor of which is
believed to mean war with Spain The
House passed the resolutions reported by
the majority/of it's committee, and the SEN
ate began a debate which may be pro-
tracted and interesting.
In the early part of the day it seemed
that there was a possibility that unani-
nous action might be had in both House
and Senate, but divisions arising over the
form and words of the resolution could not
be reconciled, and minority reports were
presented.
The Senate was first to report it's resolu-
ton, and at the beginning of the session
Senator Davis, chairman of the committee
presented the resolution and a report
which, in dealing with the management of
Cuban affairs by Spain, was a vigorous
and scathing denunciation of that country
and it's military methods. The purpose of
delay on the part of some of the members
the consideration of the report which sent
it over to another day, but this did not pre-
vent a most exciting and vigorous debate
upon the resolution and the Cuban situa-
ton. All day long the Senate listened with
the galleries. while vigorous speeches were
made for and against the proposition. The
minority report, which was presented by
four members of the foreign relations COM
mittee-Senator Foraker, of Ohio (Repub-
lican, joining with three Democratic MEM
bers-was In favor of the recognition of the
independence of the present government of
Cuba at once, and it is an interesting fact
that there seems to be quite general feel
ing that the minority report of the COM
mittee may, when the vote is taken, be the
action of the Senate Debate and discus
sion may alter this condition which seems
to exist now, but the temper of the sena-
tors on both sides seems inclined in that
direction.
Although the Senate was first to present
it's resolution, the House was first to act.
For more than five hours efforts were made
in the committee on foreign affairs to Sc
cure unanimous action, but in the end the .
division of the committee on party lines
prevailed and the resolution of the majority
was passed after one of the most exciting
episodes that has been witnessed in the
House since the Fifty-first Congress. Party
feeling ran high and, as foreshadowed by
the action of the committee, party lines were
sharply drawn, resulting in a scene which
became personal and disgraceful. The men,
bers of the committee were inclined to sup
port a unanimous report even if it did not
wholly meet their views, but after a long
conference with the leaders of the minority,
who counseled standing on the ground which
the Democratic party had assumed during
this Congress, it decided to favor
direct recognition of the insurgents as the
government of Cuba.
The conservative forces of the Senate
favor the House resolution in preference to
that reported by the Senate committee.
They do not believe it is as radical. and
believe as much good will be accomplished.
Other conservatives favor Still more mild
resolution. as evidenced by that presented
by Senator Hale, which is in direct line
with the Presidents message.