The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-09

WASHINGTON, March Sin a spirit
Of patriotism. with eloquent words ring
ing in their ears. every member OF the
house of representatives, today responded
to the presidents first call to meet the
Spanish situation, by casting his vote fos
a bill placing In President McKinley's
hands s5o.oo0oeo, TO he expended at his
discretion for the national defense.
Party lines were swept away and with
an almost unanimous voice congsess voted
its confidence in the administration.
Many members who were paired with
absent colleagues took the responsibility
OF breaking their pairs. an unprecedented
thing in legislative annals. In order that
they might go on record In supporting
this vast appropriation to maintain the
dignity and honor of their country.
Speaker Reed. who. as the presiding
officer. seldom votes. only in case of "A
tie, had his name called and voted in his
capacity as a representative.
The scene OF enthusiasm which greeted
the announcement Of the vote-yeas 3li,
nays none-has seldom been paralleled in
the house.
All day long the galleries were iammed
with enthusiastic spectators applaudlng
to the echo the sterling patriotism OF the
words OF eieaueass which were uttered
by the members on the floor. All the
speeches were brief. Although four hours
were allowed for debate, so great was
the pressure for time that no one member
was given more than 1--WE minutes and
most of them had to content themselves
with beggarly fractions Of a minute. In
all. fifty-nine speeches were made.
M North, sonth, East Nor West.
With one acclaim members from the
North ard South. and East and West.
the states and territories, battle-searred
veterans OF the Union and Confederate
armies, all joined In proclaimng their
support Of the countrys chief magistrate
In the face Of a prospect Of war.
There was only q slight discordant note
caused by the speech of Gen. bingham.
Of Pennsylvania, a gallant sols.isr who
served with distinction under Hancock.
lie spoke too conservatlvely for the
aroused temper Of the house, and when
he insisted that our relations with snaln
wefe as friendly A. they had been for
years many Of the mcmbers hissea him.
waile almost every member who spoke
deprecated The possibility of w1r. a wide
divergence Of opinion as . how close were
hognlities manifested itself In the debate.
The general contention by the majority
among the leaders on both sides was taat
this appropriation hy preparing for war
would be the surest gaarapty Of peace
other insisted that wars alarms would
seen De heard. and Naen of Illinois de-
clarea that war existed in nil save name.
The sp4erhos which attracted most atien-
ton were those of Cannon. Henderson
AMI noriver on the Republican side and
Bailey end Sayers. op the Democratic SIDE.
on the floor almost every member was in
his seat on the faces of the leaders on
both sides sat stern roaalutlon. Indicating
a deep appreciation of the great business
upon which the congress ana the country
are entering IN making a vagt appsopria-
ton for possible var.
Cannon Presents the DsiI.
As soon as the Journal had been read
Chairman Cannon presented the measure
approprlatIns $ssose oeo for national de-
fense II Includes several ether items
also. among which is Si90 go Cor coal for
naval vessels When tho readlnf- Of the
bill was concluded Hpantaneous outburst
Of applause went Up froia members and
galIerieg
Ca1ron took TIE foor 70 cpen debate on
the bill. he spoke calmly and briefly.
explaining that All in the bill save the last
item @ere strictly deficiency Items. COM
ing 20 the all-absoTblng item. re said that
in the present critical condition of affairs
the committee deemed II wise 10 appropr.-
ate his sun, placing It's expenditure IN the
complete disefet.on at the president. The
appropriation. he eonsended. was extraord-
mary. It's objeet was To Empower tbs
president to prepare for contingencies. He
Insisted that this appropriation must not
be construed into a threat. The appropn-
alton vas 20 Be placed IN the hands OF
wise ard patriotic executive 70 make prop
er preparations 70 maintain the national
honor. nothing more.
Party Lines obiiterafed.
sayers CT Texas followed Cannon. His
arst statement 70 the effect tina. in the
presence Of possible danger this approyri-