The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-03-31
WORK OF CONGRESS

Washington, March a. A vivid
word picture of the horrors and bar
parties of concentration on the Is
land of Cuba was drawn in the SEN
ate by Mr.. Gallinger Of New Hamp-
shlre. The senator recently visited
Cuba to study the situation there.
Long before the senate convened the
galleries We're packed. Almost as
soon as the senate convened Mr.. Ba-
con Of Georgia introduced joint reso-
luton declaring that the United,
States should do everything in its
power to preserve peace with all the
nations of the world and not be forced
into war except to preserve the hon
or and dignity Of the nation. He laid
that he would not ask for immediate
consideration Of the resolution. but
would permit it to lie on the table un-
til Tomorrow. Then Mr.. Hale of
Maine, chairman of the naval affairs
committee. quietly arose and favora-
bly reported the bill providing for a
relief for the survivors of the Maine
catastrophe. There was g. suppressed
murmur Of expectancy in the galleries,
put the measure was read and passed
without word Of debate. Mr.. Gal
fingers speech followed. He spoke in
a low, clear tone Of voice, distinctly
audible throughout the chamber.
There was not word Of interruption
by word throughout his speech. His
auditors listened intently 10 his de-
scription Of the horrors and cruelties
suffered by the reconcentrados. When
he declared, however, that a govern
ment that would starve 5000 Of it's
people would do anything, and fol-
lowed this with the further declara-
tion that the lives Of the brave mel
lost in the Maine disaster could not
be atoned for with gold or silver, a
spontaneous wave of applause swept
over the galleries and the vice presi-
dent had difficulty in restoring order.
When he had concluded he was ac-
corded a burst of applause which the
vice president made little effort to re-
strain.
The senate then quietly resumed
consideration of the bill making fur
Their provision for a civil government
in Alaska, and at o'clock took up the
national quarantine bill. Its consider
alton had not been concluded when
the senate adjourned.
In the House.
Il. L. Thorpe was given the seat
from the Fourth Virginia district.
Sidney P. Epes, who obtained the GER
tificate Of election, was unseated by a
strict party vote-151 to 100. The Re-
pubGcans, without a break, voted for
Thorpe and the Democrats and Pop
ulists, with the exception Of Mr.. How
ard of Alabama, voted for Epes.
Mr.. Thorpe contested the seat of Mr..
{ an in fl,1 1oc%
seated. The Republican majority in
the house, which was 50 when the
house convened last summer, is now
81. Mr.. Rhea Of Kentucky and Mr..
Hay of Virginia spoke in Mr.. EDes'
favor, and Mr.. Thorpe addressed the
house in his own behalf. At o'clock
the house adjourned
Washington, March 25. - A scene,
dramatic in the intensity of it's inter-
est, was presented in the senate dur
ing the delivery by Mr.. Thurston OF
Nebraska of a speech on the Cuban
situation.
Not since the inauguration of Pres
iaent Mckinley have SO many people
been on the senate side of the capitol.
The galleries were packed with peO-
pie, many Of whom had arrived at
the capitol as early as $50 a. M in
order to obtain seats. Even the
diplomatic gallery. which is rarely oc-
cupied, was filed, among those in it.
being Senior Mendonca, the Brazilian
minister, and party; ex-Secretary of
State John w. Foster and Mrs. Fos-
ter and many ladies and gentlemen
from the various foreign legations
Within few minutes after the SEN
ate convened every senator who could
represent was in his seat, and by the
time Mr.. Illusion had begun his
speech dozens Of members OF the
house were either standing or occupy
ing chairs in the area without the
semi-circle of seats. His first SEN
tence, in which he said he spoke by
command of silent lips-a delicate and
touching reference to the loss of his
wife on his memorable trip to Cuba;
commanded instant attention. A hush
fell over the great audience which
hung with almost GREATNESS attention
and interest upon every word.
! Some surprise has been expressed
that Senator Thurston should appear
in public prominently so soon after the
demise of Mrs. Thurston, but the first
sentence of his~speech furnishes the
hcy W LIS dCl1Ou. IL ID u uc l4dt MI.
Thurston's speech, viewed from one
standpoint, was an unusual proceed
ing, but it was justified by the con-
ditions attending it. Mrs. Thurston's
Dying Request
to her husband was that he should
lose no time on account of her death
to do his utmost to save and free
Cuba and it's people. In accordance
with this request, therefore, Senator
Thurston sacrificed his personal feel
ing and delivered his speech-a speech
that was his tribute to the memory of
his wife. Without knowing the mo-
tive which animated Mr.. Thurston and
inspired him to his best. efforts his
auditors instinctiyely realized and
sympathized with his evident emotion.
The; speech was very generally re-
garded as mastery effort, and eveh
these who could not agree with his
conclusions, conceded the power of his
Grafton AS he neared the end of the
speech his voice, which had been clear
and ringing. noticeably broke. He was
almost overcome by emotion, but raj
lied with an effort and closed in a
T. -, r. ~