The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-29
SENATE AWAKE.


cussion of the Cuban question, in any OF
it's phases, is evidently an irresistible at
traction. The prospective consideration
of the critical problem in the Senate to-
day drew another tremendous crowd to
the galleries, and, as on previous days
when Cuba was the foremost topic, hum
dreds of people jammed the corridors,
disappointed because they could not gain
admission.
When the Senate convened, a beautiful
horseshoe of roses and violets stood on
the desk of Senator Gallinger.
When Mr.. Mason Qll.) entered the
Chamber the people in the galleries, rec
ognizing him, applauded vigorously.
Mr.. Morrill, (Vt) from the Finance
providing for the importation, free of
duty. of military supplies secured abroad
into the United States, and asked for its
Several joint resolutions bearing upon
the Cuban question were then introduced
each one creating lively sensation as it
was read.
Aliens resolution was, at his request,
laid on the table.
A declaration of war was next intro
duced by Mr. Rawlins (Utah).
Mr.. Foraker (Ohio) then presented a
resolution recognizing the independence
of Cuba and favoring armed intervention.
to the Foreign Relations Committee. He
said that his resolution had been long
delayed. He had intended, he said, to
present it at the opening of the session
last December, but he had withheld it at
that time because of the tenor OF the
Presidents message. That message, he
said, gave promise that within reason
able time definite and decisive action
would be taken by the adminis-
tration SO soon as autonomy should
be given a fair trial. A reason
ed. The people of the country realize
that all necessary time has been given
Spain to bring peace to the stricken ISL
and. Autonomy, Mr.. Foraker declared,
ure was realized the country was con-
fronted by the De LONE incident. Scarce
ly had the excitement created by this
subsided when what has been styled the
Maine incident threw the country into
hurricane of excitement. Since that
time, said the Senator, we have been
for the report of the Board of Inquiry.
That report is now before the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations. Whatever may
be done as to the maine incident ac-
question.
Mr.. Foraker said he hoped at a later
date to address the Senate at length upon
his resolution.
Mr.. Frye (Me.), said he had not intend
ed to offer resolution al this time, but
in view of others proposed he would pre-
lutions were all, except Mr.. Aliens, re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions.
AT the conclusion of the presentation of
resolutions, Mr.. Mason Qll), was recog
nized for a speech on the Presidents
message of yesterday: Mr.. Mason said he
the general expression and intention of
the members of the Senate. While he
would not apologize for discussing the
Cuban question at this time he did not
intend
to the Administration of the Committee
on Foreign Relations, when he said that
had been employed for three years to pre-
vent any assistance from the United
States to the starving Cubans.
Mr.. Mason then turned his attention
to the destruction of the Maine.
The battleship Maine, our gallant ship,
went down, and two hundred and sixty
eight Of our gallant citizen sailors with
her. At the time. every citizen of the
United States familiar with the Spanish
character, felt confident it was Spanish
treachery. Our ship was there by right
of custom, of rendered hospitality and
also by treaty contract she had an abso-
Lutte right to be there. The day closed
and she rode the harbor a messenger of
peace. No message had been sent by
national honor of Spain. Our only offer
was to try and restore peace, alike honor
able to all. Our Treasury had been opened
to feed her people. Definite plans were
ing to injure our relations with Spain.
Spain could not conquer her own insur-
gents. Had we been a grasping nation
we could any time within two years have
made aggressive and forcible annexation,
taking advantage of the crimes of Spain
and the misfortune of Cuba
1.-THE night came on, a dark, a gloomy
night, natural and proper time for Span
ish bravery. Our men were asleep in a
friendly harbor. They were never chal-
lenged to try their courage
The galleries of the House were bank
ed to the doors again today in anticipa-
ton of the pos bility of an exciting de-
bate upon the cuban question.
On motion of Mr.. Grosvenor six thou
sand copies of the Presidents message
and the report of the Board of Inquiry,
with-the testimony, were ordered printed
for theSuse of the members of the House.