Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-04-06
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
Something of the Talks and the Acts
of Both Branches.

An exciting incident was caused in the
house Thursday by Mr.. Lewis ldem.) of
Washington. In unmeasured terms he
denounced the administration, which, ru-
NOR said, was considering a money in
Identification for the murder of the
Maine sailors.
Mr. johnson (rcp) of Indiana replied
in a heated speech, with whitening sar.
casm. He declared the true solution of
the problem of wiping the Spanish ma
ton off the map would be to harness up
the gentleman from Washington and
turn him loose. But, seriously, he de-
clared, he despised this cry of war.
A storm of Kisses greeted this state
ment.
Proceeding, he declared if congress
would rest in its seat and keep its hands
off, peace would be preserved.
Mr.. Lewis replied to johnson few
moments later. He declared if the In
dianian spoke for the president on the
aoor, when his political epitaph was
written it would contain only the line:
"Too Much johnson"
johnson responded in speech that at
tracted the most intense interest. Cheers
applause and Kisses at different times
greeted him. 1t was an eloquent appeal
for peace.
Mr.. Bailey, the democratic leader, fol-
lowed johnson, and charged that the re-
fusal of the republicans to vote for the
freedom of Cuba was to give the presi-
dent chance to compel Cuba to buy her
liberty from the butchers of Spain. All
Cuba desired was recognition so she could
buy arms and ammunition, and in few
months she would be free. So eloquently
did he describe the horrors of war as they
had come to the southern people that
members on the floor and listeners in the
galleries actually wept, and when, in con.
clusion, he declared his side Of the house
was for free Cuba, without war if pos
sible, but with war if necessary, the dem
onstration from the galleries was over
whelming.
After an exceedingly turbulent session
of six hours the house Friday passed the
naval appropriation bill and then adjourn
ed until Monday The war spirit was man
Tested in all the speeches and OVERRIDE
the naval committee itself by increasing
the number of torpedo boats and torpedo
boat destropers to "a, the bill as reported
providing for but II. The amendment Of
Mr.. Cannon, chairman Of the appropria'
tons committee, to reduce the number Of
battleships to one, was buried under an
overwhelming majority. The provision re-
lating to armor plate, which, in ordinary
times, would have precipitated debate Of
several days. was disposed of in 10 min
utes, the proposition to decrease the price
agreed to in the bill from $500 to $500 per
ton being drowned in perfect chorus Of
noes. Mr.. Cannon, during the course Of
the day, announced the belief of major.
ity of the members that war would be up
on us within week, and Mr.. De Almond
of Missouri made notable speech, declar.
ing that if hostilities were near it was our
duty to strike the first blow.
The senate spent all of Friday in the
discussion of the resolution reported from
the committee on foreign relations for the
acquisition of the West India islands own.
ed by Denmark and the session was closed
by the practical withdrawal of the reso-
luton by Senator Lodge, its author. He
stated the debate had developed such a
wide difference of opinion in the senate
where there had heretofore been such
unanimity, that he would not further
press the matter at time when the pres
ident needed the support of all senator's Of
all parties. He moved that the senate pro.
coed to the consideration of executive bus.
mess, thus voluntarily for the time being
abandoning the resolution.
Obstruction by Bailey.
In the house Monday afternoon Mr.
Cannon moved to suspend the rules to
pass the joint resolution allowing the cree.
ton of Notifications on private property.
Unanimous consent for its consideration
was refused by Mfr. Bailey. Mr.. Cannon
said tho raaolntiny, e,ora tha ,NraasIant a..