The Portland daily press., 1898-04-01

today the packed galleries and members
of the House listened to passionate out
bursts of oratory on the Cuban question
during which the intensity of feeling was
alternately manifested by cheers, Jeers
and Kisses. Time and again the throngs
in the galleries we're admonished to be
silent. The speeches which stirred the
assemblage were made by Mr. Grosvernor
of Ohio, who it was assumed spoke for
the administration and who practically
pledged it to the cause Of free Cuba, MI.
Bailey of Texas, the Democratic leader,
who announced the Democratic position
was for free Cuba without war if it could
be avoided, but with war If necessary,
and Mr.. johnson of Indiana who spoke
for peace, declaring it was our duty to go
to the extreme in magnanimity to avoid
the horrors of war.
Mr.. Lewis, Democrat from Washing
ton, provoked the speech of Mr.. Johnson,
which aroused the members and the
galleries to the fever pitch of excitement.
Mr.. Lewis denounced the proposition that
Cuba purchase her freedom from spain,
which, it was alleged the administration
was fostering.
Then MIR. johnson in a brilliant speech
n,eaded for peace. Like a Spartan he
faced the storm of Kisses which swept the
galleries and with passionate utterance
abiursd members to pause before they
plunged the country into war. He gave
ii as his opinion that if an ultimatum
had been sent to Spain it meant war, as
SPANS pride would not permit her TO
humiliate herself before the world. lie
eulogized every influence made for peace
and declared his belief that tbs Cuban
.Junta would agree to pay s1oo, 1000, 600 for
the Independence Of the island
Mr.. Bailey in ringing speech which
set his followers and the galleries wllo
announced his belief from what MT.
Johnson had said that the purpose OF the
Repub blicans in refusing to join the
Democrats yesterday was to give the ad,
ministration an opportunity to compel
the Cuban patriots to buy the indie
pendence that they had won from the
butchers of Spain.
He had been told within "a hours by g
representative of the Cuban Junta that
| all the Cubans wanted was to have theil
lindependence recognized, as with the
munitions of war and the recruits they
could obtain, their independence could be
achieved. This speech drew the fire OF
General Grosvenor He charged Mr..
Bailey with attempting to make politica
capital. He denounced the statements
that the administration intended to force
Cuba to buy her freedom as the silly in
yention of an idiot and declared that
| from the President down the administers
t1on was for free Cuba. He thrilled tht
auditors when he asked what meant the
war preparations that were going on
| night and day if not that when action
was taken looking to the independence Of
Cuba it would be backed up if necessary
| by the army and navy of the United
States After Mr.. Grosvenor concluded
| the debate went on the most significant
utterance being made by Mr.. Cummings
of New York, Democrat, who denounced
the political character which the question
was assuming as unpatrlotlc ana unWlse.
Little progress was made with the naval
bill. The only important amendment
adopted was one appropriating $500, 00C
for the erection of new buildings for the
naval academy.
Washington, March 3l.-Crowded gal
leries again circled the walls of the House
of Representatives The belief that there
would be more thrilling speeches attracted
thousands to the capitol.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal the House went into the commit
tee of the whole and proceeded with the
consideration of the naval Appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Mcintyre, Republican of Maryland.
submitted some remarks in favor of the
amendment offers@by Mr.. Mudd yester-
day appropriati1 $500, 600 for new build
inss atsshe naval academy at Annapolis.