The herald., 1898-04-13

turned to the assault again today, attack
ing what he termed the "vacillating" poll
cy OF the president, the midnight CONFER
ences'' at the White House with Senator
Elkins and John ]. McCook. and asserting
that the presidents recommendauons
really meant that the United States snouio
coerce the Cuban insurgents into an ac-
csptance of Spain's scheme of autonomy.
Hepburn of Iowa, Republican. mace
spirited and indignant reply. denouncins
the intimation of such policy as little
short of scoundrelism. Then came Gen.
Qrosvenors important announcement up
on which Bailey, the Democratic leader
countered, taking the position that II the
president had meant to declare Tor the III
dependence of Cuba he would have said SO
in specific words. The message was ciear
and lucid, he said, except as TO the recon-
mendations, and 1t had required all the IN
genuity of Gen. Grosvenor to torture suon
an Interpretation from them. In concur
sion. he declared that the president VINO
would coerce the Cuban insurgents wouio
not live to survive the odium OF the Amer
lean people.
The Regular Order
Immediately after the reading OIL ING
journal the speaker recognized Hiioorn VI
California, Republican. to call up on pc
half of the naval COMMITTEES. the senate Dill
for the organization of a national battalion
In the District of Columbia.
Bailey indicated his purpose to opJect'
unless an amendment was offered TO Or
gap,xe this battalion under the existing
law. .n
.r suggest the bill be withheld until we
soc what the report of the committee on
naval affairs is to be, so we can determine
exactly what the condition In the country
IA :" said Bailey. "If the fear he entertains
has no more foundation than the report
that the presidents message last Wednes-'
day might have created riot IN Havana.
the gentleman need not be exercised. The
presidents message might have created
riot in Cuba, but it would not have been
among the Spaniards in Havana 1t would
have been among the insurgents IN the in
terror" daughter and applause on the
Democratic side.)
"I rise to a parliamentary inquiry"
shouted Berry Of Arkansas, Democrat,
..what need have we for an army and
navy. anyway" Uaughter)
..That is not a parliamentary inquiry"
replied the speaker, smiling blandly, amid
renewed laughter.
Ridgely of Kansas. Populist, then OBJ
jected.
The house then went into committee Of
the whole on bill relating to the District
of Columbia.
During the debate. Botkin, PopuEst. of
Kansas. and Greene. Populist. Of Nebras-
ka. took occasion to discuss the Cuban
question, but their Mterancec were not in
flammatory.
After some discussions Of the financial
question by Hartman. Silver Republican,
of Montana, and Lacey. Republican, Of
Iowa, Lewis got the floor and in vigorous
speech declared that In the dust and clouds
which had been kicked UP by diplomacy
congress was losing sight Of the vital quee-
ton before the people. The country. he
said, favored the freedom Of Cuba, bu.
that was only a sentiment. The avenging
of the Maine, he said. was the real duty of
the government.
AcKinley'S Policy
Shortly before adjournment. Lentz,
Democrat, Ohio, made vigorous assault
on what he called the vacillatiug policy of
the president. reading from various news
papers to show that the president had re-
peatedly changed his mind. He comment
ed especially upon the report Of an alleged
midnight conference between Senator e.
kins and the Spanish minister. after the
former had been at the White House with
John ]. McCook. He tsunted the Repub-
Iicans because the president had not de-
clared for the independence Of Cuba which
the Republican platform had demanded.
''It remains to be seen." said he. ''wheth-
er the majority of the house can be lined
up and whipped In" Congress. he declared,
should act, and could better act than the
executive. formulating his policy a.
midnight behind closed doors with the aid
Of plutocracy.
IA stable government! What do You
propose now? Let this congress give to
the president the army and navy. he says