The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-15
SENATE.

Cuban question in It's several phases
under discussion. Three resolutions
bearing upon the question were intro
duced, one by Senator Lindsay, Of Ken
tucky, directing that the contemplated
operations against h Spanish army
in Cuba be in concert with General
Gomez, the supreme command to be
vested in the commander Of the United
States forces, to the end that the
Independence of the Cubans be cur
ed. The second was by Senator Will
son, OF Washington, directing the pres
ddent ait once to take such steps as twill
secure to the Cuban people an indepen-
dent, republican form Of government;
and the third was by Senator Allen, of
Nebraska, declaring the existence OF
war iii Cuba and directing h presi-
dent to take steps to stop it and secure
to the people of the island a stable and
independent government.
Following the introduction of the res
olutions, speeches were delivered by
Senators Pettus, of Alabama; Mason,
of Illinois. and Butler, of North Caro-
lima.
Senator Pettus presented an argu-
ment that the congress could not dele
gate to the president the power to
make war either in a general Or in a
special sense, and declared that the
making of any war without an express
declaration by would be a dis
grace to the nation.
SenotOr Mason's speech was largely
a legal argument in favor of the lecog-
milton of the Independence of the Gu
ban republic and was delivered with
characteristic fire and Vehemence. He
declared that he was for war only as
a means of securing an honorable
peace. Il tave nc DESIRE" he cOntfu-
ued," to destroy the Spanish nation,
but her flag must be d~iShonOred by sur
rendering her sovereignty over Cuban
territory as an atonement for lowering
our flag, sinking OUR ship and murder
ing our men. Intervention by force of
arms, as recommended by the presi-
dent, is war. To declare for interview
tion without declaring directly, openly,
for wan seems to lack frankneSs and
Savors too much of Spanish diplomacy"
Senator Mason then went into the
history of what mad been done by this
country in the past regarding recOgni-
ton and declared that the Cubans had
IOIIlttu dutu lIG ilIeu ~ CIVIL SONeIdl-
ment. do we WISH" The said" to re-
lieve soma American investors who
have bought Spanish bonds and who
wish to trade them for tine bonds of
the republic? DO we, worse still, wish
to leave the o open to compel those
brave men and women to accept some
terms of autonomy or to pay blood
money to the ~SpaniardS or the Shy
locks of our own land?"
Som otOr~ R1It1pr Cf iNOrth no rN1na
followed Senator Mason. He said that
he belonged to what is popularity term
ed the opposition on the floor of the
senate, but he maintained that this OPP
position had thus far upheld the hands
of the administration aus Loyalty as had
the best friends of the president and
Were ready to continue so to do, so long
as they could and preserve their self
respect. He expressed the hope that
the foreign relations committee might
he able to bring i'm "a resolution that
the senate may SuppOr unanimously,
as it voted for the $50, 900, 200 emergency
appropriation. In the present circum-
sances we would, in the opinion of Sen
ator Butler, be justified i'm driving
every Spaniard from the seas and to
lay waste every city and town of Spain.
This becaus of the destruction of the
Maine-one of the foulest crimes in
history. He maintained that the Unit
ed States had even more exalted a
sons for establishment of Cuban
6ndependence-the reasons of humanity
and liberty.
The senator regretted that the presi-
Kent did mot tell congressrwha ait he meant
just what he wanted. He disagreed
with the president concerning the re-
cognition of the Cuban republic, main
tanning that to stop the wal OF the is
land without granting independence
of til, Cuban republic simply meant
tine crushing Of the Cuban patriots.
why is General Lee hurrying to
Washington" inquired Senator But
Ter. we were informed that he would
have to get out of Havana before the
presidents message was read. Yet
here comes the message that auses the
Spaniards to build bonfireS and rejoice
n starts the stocks tickers to click
ing merTily n causes smiles to spread
over the countenanceS of Wall street
gamblers. Within a fey hours, I hope
we will be called upon to t upon a
definite proposition. The last one I
voted for with pleasure. I voted for
the $50. 600, 600 emergency appropriation.
7 ann READY to vote for $50, 900, 900 Of for
500, 900, 900 to avenge the Maine and
ITO free Cuba; but I'll not vote TO ex-
pend a dollar for amy doubtful policy
and I'll not vote for any schemes TO
protect Cuban bondholders, as against
humanity and freedom and indepen-
dence."
Senator Pasco, of Florida, presented
a joint resolution directing the presi-
dent to use not to exceed $1,000 of the
fund appropriated by congress to re-
aieve American citizens in Cuba for the
relief of America citizens and others
who have recently landed in Florida
from Cuba He explained that while
the citizens of Florida were doing all
in their power to assist the refugees
heir means were limited. The resolu-
tion WAS agreed to.
Consideration of the sundry civil Dill
was Resumed, but mo progress was made
am extended discussion being precip1-
tated over the old question of using
steam presses instead of hand presses
in the bureaus of engraving and print