The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-01-20
HOUSE VOTES On CUBA
Senate BeIIigerency ReSoIu-
ton is SheIyed.
IN M'KINLEYS DEFENSE
Chairman Hit ReCiteS Some
Spanish History.

Washington, Jan. 19.-AIl day long the
question of granting belligerent rights to
the Cuban insurgents was argued in the
house, but, as yesterday, the minority
hurled itself against a stone wall. On
the only vote taken today-a motion de-
signed to overrule the decision of the
speaker and direct the committee on for
eign affairs to report without further da-
lay the Cuban resolution passed by the
senate at the last sessiOn-the Repubi-
cans stod solid and voted to sustain the
chair. The galleries, as on yesterday,
were banked to the doors, and there was
considerable excitement throughout the
early part Of the session, when the mem
bers of the minority were successfully
pressing all sorts of amendments bearing
on the Cuban question, for the purpose
of embarrassing the majority. During
the debate Chairman Hit of the foreign
affairs committee, made an impressive
speech of less than an hour, explaining
at length the situation which made action
by congress inadvisable He spoke with
tmpassioned words Of the presidents SYM
pathy with the struggle for Cuban indie
pendence and the achievements Of the
present administration. The release of
American prisoners in Cuba, the recall
of WeyIer, the abandonment of the policy
of concentration and the autonomy
scheme he attributed to the firm attitude
of the president, and cOntrasted these
results with the inaction of the last ad-
ministration. He aYerred that belliger-
ent rights could not aid the insurgent
cause, and perhaps the most dramatic
portion of his speech was when he de-
clared that the insurgents only wished
for belligerent rights in the hope and be-
lief that this country would be embroil-
ed IN a war with Spain, which would give
them their freedom with our triumph. He
asserted that the president must assume
the responsibility of any action which
might eventuate in war; and appealed to
both sides of the chamber to periodically
support the executive if a crisis shall
come Mr.. Dinsmore of Arkansas, the
leading minority member of the commit
tee on foreign affairs, replied TO Mr.. Hit
and MessrS. Adams (Rep., Pa.) chairman
of the Cuban subcommittee of the sama
committee; Berry Dem, KyD and Wheel
er Dem., Ky.) also addressed the house
during the general debate. The debate
will close tomorrow at O'Clock, under
the arrangement made today, and final
test will be made on a motion, of which
Mr.. Williams Dem, Miss) gave notice
TODAY. to re-commit the bill with in
structions to report back the Cuban reso-
luton as a rider.
Washington, Jan. 19.-When the house
convened today the leaders on both sides
were rallying their strength.
Mr.. Lacey Rep.) of Iowa asked unani-
nous consent for the consideration of
bill to extend the homestead laws to the
territory of Alaska and 10 grant right
of-way to any railroad company organized
under the laws of any state.
Mr.. Lacey explained that several appli-
cations were made to this congress for
several companies projecting roads into
Canada.
Mr.. Simpson said the bill was too i'm
portent to consider by Unanimous con-
sent and he objected.
CUBAN DEBATE RENEWED.
Immediately afterward the storm broke
and the battle over Cuba was once more
on.
Mr.. Brucked Dem) of Michigan pre-
scented a resolution instructing the COM
mittee on foreign affairs TO report WITH
out delay The senate Cuban belligerency
bill and asked unanimous consent for its
consideration. When it was sent to the
clerks desk, the clerk took. occasion to
examine the resolution, aud while doing
so Mr.. Daley asked that the resolution be
passed.
THE POINT OF ORDER.
Like fash Mr.. Hit, chairman of the
foreign affairs committee. was on his feet
with a point of order, which the speaker
promptly sustained, and was about to re-
cognize Mr.. Hit to call up the dipo-
matte and consular appropriation bill,
when Mr.. Daley demanded recognition.