The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-04-14
WORK OF CONGRESS

and openly charged in the senate by
Mr.. Perkins of California in n speech
that Spain was responsible Tor the
Maine disaster, as it had been brought
about by Spanish Vaccinations = ana
Spanish treachery. The speech or MT
Perkins was only one Of four prepared
addresses upon the Cuban question de-
liyered in the senate. Mr.. Gay OF
Georgia, while hoping for a peacefui
solution Of the problem which the
country is now facing declared strong
" in favor of independence OF the
Cuban. and pledged to the administra-
ton the loyal support OF the South.
which, in the event OF war, would
have to bear the brunt of the conflict.
Mr.. Perkins took substantially the
same ground, and his vigorous treat
ment of the Maine disaster aroused
The crowded galleries TO enthusiastic
applause. Mr.. Mantle of Montana,
while expressing confidence in the al
miniStratiOn, maintained that the time
had now arrived, and action must be
taken TO the end that Cuba should pe
free. Mr.. Rawlins of Utah, entirely
eliminated the president from cOhsld-
GRAFTON in his speech, holding that the
case against Spain was already mace
up, and that with congress rested the
responsibility Of declaring war. For
congress to wait longer was only 10
invite criticism. He declared for the
most vigorous action Immediately. At
ter the Cuban speeches had been deliv-
cred, the senate resumed consideration
of the sundry civil bill and finished
thirty three pages before adjournment.
While there were no attempts to
force consideration of a resolution re-
garding the Cuban situation in the
house there was brief outbreak in the
course of which the warlike temper OF
the crowded galleries was so manifest
that Speaker threatened TO clear them
If it was repeated. The outbreak oc-
Cured over a bill to authorize the pres
ident to erect temporary fortifications
in case of emergency upon land when
the written consent of the owners was
obtained without awaiting the long
process of legal condemnation. This
led 10 a demand by Mr.. Bailey, the
Democratic leader, for information as
to the facts that warranted all these
war measures. The particular state
ment which aroused the galleries was
to the effect that while the Democrats
were willing to wait any reasonable
time for the president to transmit a
message that would meet the apprO-
val Of the American people, they would
not wait a minute for him to continue
negotiations with the butchers of
Spain" When the demonstrations in
the galleries were rebuked by the
speaker he declared that the galleries
We're the American people in nina
ture. Mr.. Cannon accused Mr.. Bailey
of "posturing' and playing to the gal
leries. The bill was passed and ii was
arranged that the army reorganization
bill should be taken up on Wednes-
day unless a report was made from the
committee on foreign relations. The
remainder Of the day was passed with
out incident in the transaction of Dis
trict of Columbia business. During
the morning thousands swarmed
through the corridors of the house at
the end of the capitol clamoring for
admission to the galleries.
Washington, April 6-"The United
States ought Immediately to declare
war against Spain and 10 maintain the
war until the people of Cuba are
made free from Spanish starvation
and cruelty and the government Of
the island firmly established as an in
dependent, republic"
This utterance by Senator Chandler
of New Hampshire in carefully pre-
pared statement of his position on the
Cuban crisis was the climax Of an eX-
tended discussion of the subject par
ticipated in by several members in
the senate yesterday afternoon.
Speeches had been delivered by Mr.
Turner of Washington, Mr.. Harris Of
Kansas and Mr. Kenney of Delaware,
all of whom took strong grounds for
vigorous and instant action by the
United States. Indeed, Mr.. Turner
took substantially the same position
as that of Mr.. Chandler, basing his
demand for action upon the Maine
catastrophe. Profound attention was
attracted by speech delivered by Mr..
Turpie Of Indiana. one Of the members
OF the foreign relations committee.
Scathingly he reviewed the Spanish
conduct of Cuban affairs and declared
in the strongest terms for interyen-
ton that would mean something-that
would drive Spain. from control Of
every foot Of territory in the Western
hemisphere. The speech was n clear,
concise statement of the position In
which the country had been placed by
Spanish .'outrages, insults and
crimes"
At the conclusion Of the speeches on
the Cuban question the senate re-
sumed consideration of the sundry
civil bill, the only important progress
made being the adoption in slightly
modified form Of the committee
amendment suspending the forestry
reservation proclamation of 1897.