The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-11
CONGRESS WILL MAKE
HISTORY THIS WEEK.


TD8 U0048 VIII - 0S0 - -
MuititeAe To-day Eager -
neas the Message Res1.
WASHINGTON. April 1a.-Epon the
presumption that SPANS otter Of an
armlssice to the Cuban insurgents VIII
make no change In tho pians Of the adj
ministration. and that the presidents
message win 60 to congress tomorrow,
the house this week will make history.
In anticipation Of stirring scenes and mo-
mentous action. every congressman has
been besieged by hundreds Of friends for
tickets 10 the reserved galleries. and the
general multitude must take It's chances
In the public galleries On the principle
Of first come. first served they are pre-
pared TO assault the capitol at dawn to-
morrow. II II likely that hundreds VIII
camp out on the marble steps all night.
30 intense II the desire to be present when
the messAge b read The public genera
iy regards the message an the prologue to
drama which may end IN war before
the curtain goes down. After the mes
sage IL read Tomorrow II win probably be
referred to the committee on foreign re-
lasions without debate. Such II the pro-
gTamme to which both sides have practi-
caily assented. with the tacit understand
ing that tbs committee viii report on
Tuesday the resolutions upon which the
house will. be expected to act. Any indi-
viduai auemp. to Illustrate this part OF
the programme Will prove aborfive.
With the gravity OF the situation con.
fronting them. members on both sides
have been sobered, and seem impressed
with the idea that things should proceed
in Regular and orderly way. 1t seems
almost certain now that there win be a
conflict both in the committee and the
~ ehA nft1vH - h. Int N
upon which the house will be called ncOn
to act. Individual views vary greatly.
from those who desire q direct 6eclara-
ton Of war, based on the theory that the
blowing ny Of the Maine was a hostile
act. and a few who are opposed to any
action whatever.
But the real coptest. Of course. will be
aetween those who desire 10 follow what
ia now generally accepted as the presi-
dents Recommendation. armed interview
ton. and those who desire the recognition
of the Cuban republic The Democrats.
beth Of the committee and Of the house.
have taken an uneQuivocas position for
the recognition Of independence, although
there Is a difference OF opinion - 10
whether intervention should follow. A
majority Of the Republicans Of the COM
ulittee have, within few days. declared
themselves for Intervention and indspen-
dence. Two OF them. Quigg OF New York
and Henry of Indiana. white they ~ not
favor recognition Of the existing repubiic,
have earnestly advocated a declaration to
tile effect that SPANS dominion Of the
island cease. leaving TO the future the
question Of the actual government Of the
island.
But In the desire OF the Republicans of
both houses to secure harmony Of action.
some OF the advocates Of independence
have about come to the conclusion that
the difference between armed intervention
and recognition II more technical than
substantial, a. unless the Inland should
be annexed. to which they are opposed. a
republican form of government for the
island must follow. It seems probable
that existing differences may at least to
some extent be adjusted. and whether "a
the Republicans agree to resolution de-
ciarinx for Intervention only or not. such
resolution VIII be reported. 1t seems
equally certain that resolution for In
dependence. possibly coupled with inter-
vention. will be presented by the minority.
No definite arrangements have yet been
made al to the debate. but there seems TO
be no demand for prolonged time. Mr..
Bailey, OF the minority, thinks two days
ought TO suffice, and e6sae OF the Republic
cans think our action would be strength
ened II there were no debate at al. Two
days seems TO be the general opinion as
ably win be considerable pressure Tor
time for brief speeches. Many members
desire TO bury their hatchets IN the paint
ed war post But there Is a solid ground
for difference as 10 the character OF the
resolutions. and the question as TO the
possible liability OF tia. United States for
the Spanish hpnds based on the Cuban
revenues, in the event of intervention
without recognition. will be thoroughly
discussed. Whatever time IL not occupied
by the Cuban question wifi be devoted 10
the consideration Of contested election
cases and the general deficiency bill.
Working for Harmony I'm the senate.
The week In tho senate probably viii be
given entirely "a the Cuban question The
presidents message Is counted upon 20
arrive sooa after the assembling. at noon
tomorrow II viii be referred promptly
to the committee or foreign relations, and
the present understanding 10 that TO re-
port win be made by the committee be-
the development; OF radical differences In
the committee. be delayed to even later
day
There II a decidedly strong disposition
on the part Of the many senators who are
rot members os the committee 10 have the
senate as a body take up the subject OF
shaping the committees report contem-
AHS1&sisGN~&F with tHE COMMITTEE anu IL IS
no. improbable that secret session OF
the senate may he held with this purpose
in view. The purpose 81 this movement Is.
as has been frequently stated. to secure
az near an approach TO harmony in the
senate as possible. and IL IL believed this
can ha best accomplished hv having the
senate sgres upon the form Of the reso-
luton before IL goes 10 the senate for ac-
ton. The present tendency fa the senate
Is 20 ceafiae congressional illumination to a
declaration for armed intervention, ieay-
tnx the recognition Of Independence 20
eesne iaier. and II now appears probable
that the foreign relations committee viii
report in favor OF this course. though rot
without some dissent
tf the meeting Of the committee 10 be
held before the receipt OF the message
should develop that sNeh actior car be So
cured from she COMMITTEES, and in a way
70 ifss'are hsrmoainsas action on the rspors
In the s&Hase. then there viii probably be
Eo occasion soT a discussion OF the fn-m
81 be resolution before taking uIs the real
question a; ssssss, The chances are that
II ihe senate does not adjourn after receiv-
Ina TIRE message. the Cuban question viii
come No TN sonfe shape tomorrow. Yet h
Is barely possible that taa whole matter
VII hs deferred anEii the foreign conmsss.
tee can MAXI rs report A resolution