The San Francisco call., 1898-04-08
GpOSVenOp Tells of the Bold Plot to Bolster
 Cuban Bonds.
LentZ of Ohio Charges the President With Standing in With Wall
 Street and Is Rebuked.
Call Offic>. Riggs House,

Washington, April '.
 There was a scene of great excite ment In the House late this afternoon during the consideration of the bill for the reorganization of the army. It was caused by Lentz, an Ohio Democrat, who made a vicious assault on the ad- ministration, charging that the policy of delay was in the interest of stock jobbers in Wall street. He alleged that Wall street was in the possession of Information that the message would not go in long before it was known at the Capitol and profited heavily by the ad- vance in the price of stocks which re- suited. He even charged that there was no warrant for the alarming state ments about the situation in Havana which were given as justifying the de- lay of the message. Lentzs speech created a profound sensation and was met with an emphatic reply from Gen eral Grosvenor, now regarded as the administration spokesman on the floor. Grosvenor not only indignantly denied there was justification for the report, but held LentZ up to scorn for alleging corrupt motives against the President. Lentz disclaimed this, but the irate
 
 mercy. He was thoroughly aroused and laid about him with a veritable bud geon, charging that the Democrats were seeking political advantage and paying his respects to John J. McCook and others. Before he concluded he ex- pressed the opinion that war was as certain as that we would live until next week, unless 1t was averted by Spain. The debate on the army bill to-day developed more and more op- position. Hull tried to save the bill by agreeing to strike out all its provisions, even the three battalion formation fea- lures, but it was in the end recom- mitted-150 to 6l.
 Little evidence of excitement existed when the House met at noon. The public galleries were crowded, but yawning gaps showed in the reserved department.
 Hull. chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, stated before the consdera- ton of the army reorganization bill was resumed, that. at the proper time. he should move to strike out everything eX- cept the first two sections, providing for the three-b battalion formation. The sec ton providing for the expansion of the regular army in time of war to 104 900 would be stricken out.
 Sulzer (D.) of New York, who supported the bill as it was proposed to modify it, made a vigorous pro-Cuba speech. If Gu ban independence were recognized, he de- clared, Cuba would be soon free. He de- clared that the majority in Congress and the President little understood the in- tense feeling among the people of tho country over the Maine affair and tho delay in calling Spain to account.
 'Oh for one day of Andrew Jackson in the White House. he concluded. He would say. Onward the fleet, forward the whole line, and let the battle cry be Cuba must be free" !"
 Lewis CD) of Washington vigorously assailed the bill. He not only charged crease the regular army in time of peace, but he declared that the three-battalion formation had proved a failure and had been so characterized by the commander in-chief of the British army.
 Lentz (D.) of Ohio, in the course of his remarks in opposition to the bill, de- clared that there would be no war; that the peace party, which was speculat- Ing in stocks and bonds, would prevail. He said there was an irreconcilable dis parity between the reasons given for the aelay of the Presidents message and the dispatches from Havana. The message had been postponed because Americans press dispatches said all was Guiet in Havana, and that General Lee said he had hot been recalled. He denounced the tel egrams other members were receiving urging them to stand by the President Ereed.
 LeHtZ referred 10 the note presented by The powers. He read from it the words about the hope for peace in the settle pent of the existing differences with Spain.
 We have no differences with Spain" he cried. We have 266 assassfnated Americans which Spain must account lor:' Applause in the galleries
 Yesterday" Lentz said, i've had this house filled, the galleries overfowed and the Capitol grounds were covered with people, all expecting the Presidents mes sage; which might lead to war But finally, in the afternoon, came word that s message had been received from Con sul-General Lee in Havana indicating that he wanted time, and the message
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