Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-21

Il
| to shoulder and hand in hand we will
march forward with equal step to vim
dictate the conduct of that govern
| ment which we believe to be the best
| that Almighty God has permitted in
all times, and the morrow when this
crisis shall come upon US, from every
| housetop in the United States let
there be flung the stars and stripes"
Mr.. Bate (Tenn.) urged the recog-
| milton of the present Cuban govern
ment as independent. Mr.. Clark
| tWyo.) said that whatever might be
the final wording of the resolutions
| adopted by congress they could mean
only war-and war with one of the
most cruel, barbarous nations in the
| world. In these circumstances the
nation should not hesitate. Mr.. Pas
co (F'la.) spoke in favor of the recog-
milton of the independence of the Gu
ban republic. Mr. Faulkner CIV. Va
thought that only one of two courses
was open to this country-either to
submit to the indignities, insults and
crimes of Spain, or that the Amerf-
can congress should make such an
utterance as would remove every
doubt about our intention in the
question for arbitrament by the sword.
Mr.. Wilson (Wash.) spoke in favor of
the majority resolutions. Mr.. Pettus
| tAia.) attacked the house resolutions
as being unconstitutional He in
sisted that congress has the right to
declare war and said that the presi-
! dent was in his high office to execute
the mandate of congress. Mr.. Nc
Emery La) said that he would vote
! for recognition of the Cuban republic
Mr.. Gear Qowa) supported the
majority resolutions. Mr.. Gallinger
| IN. HI read a number of autograph
letters from Cuban military COM
manders, showing the high patriot
ism which actuates them in their
struggle for liberty Mr.. Elkins wv.
Va said that it was plain war was
inevitable. He thought the resolu-
lions ought to be amended so as to
| provide that recognition should be
given by the president He declared
cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippine
Islands in order that we might have
some compensation for the enormous
war debt. If afterwards it was de-
sired to give the Cubans independ-
ence it could then be done.
Mr.. Proctor (Vt.) replied to some OF
| the statements made by Mr.. Elkins
| The latter, he said, had received his
| information from Mr.. Atkins of Bos-
ton, whose sugar plantations had been
! protected by the Spanish troops. War
was upon us, he said, and we ought to
| meet 1t with a united front. Mr..
| Nelson (Minn.) declared that the ques-
ton as to the power of the president
to recognize the Cuban republic was
| irrelevant. Congress had authority
and ought to exercise ito accept that
brave young republic as our ally in the
coming war. Mr.. Perkins (Cal.) an
| nounced himself in favor of recogniz-
ing the independence Of the republic
of Cuba. Mr.. Thurston (Neb) de-
clared his intention TO vote to recog-
nize the republic of Cuba Mr.. Nor
gan Gala defined his position briefly,
| giving his reasons for declining to
concur in the minority resolutions to
recognize the independence of the re-
public. His views had been submit
| ted to President Palma, and were con-
Cured in by him. He said that we
should not recognize independence
| wifi bo,,f CT lot which n
prevent the possibility of Gen. Gomez
making treaty with Spain that would
| leave us in the lurch. After Mr.. Ken
ney DEL had stated his position in
| favor of recognition of independence
! the debate came to an abrupt
| close Senator Hale ant several
other senators who were scheduled to
| present their VIEWS refrained.
The first vote was taken upon the
! amendment of the minority Of the for
eign relations committee, which pro-
vided for recognition by. the United
States of the republic of Cuba as the
true and lawful government of that
island" 1t was adopted, 81 to 81.
| Mr.. Davis then offered an amend
ment as an additional section dis
claiming any intention to exercise
sovereignty over Cuba. 1t was adopt
| ed without a dissenting vote. Mr..
! Frye then moved to strike out of the
| of the island of Cuba ARE and of right
ought to be tree and independent" the
words ARE and of right. The mo-
ton was laid on the table, SIS to 33
Mr. Morgan then offered his substi-
tute for a declaration of war. II
was laid on the table, So to 5. The
nays were Messrs. Mason, Morgan
Pettigrew, Turner and Wilson.
The supreme moment had come. Mr..
Hale (Me.), who had been the main
stay of the opposition to radical &C
ton on the Cuban question, arose
| His first words sounded a warning
"The action the senate is about to
take" he began, speaking slowly and
impressively, places it in a deadlock
with the house and the president Of
the United States. 1t is a remarkable
spectacle we are presenting to the
civilized world" But he got nc
farther Messrs. Teller and Wolcott
were both on their feet. The latter
declared passionately that Mr.. Hale:
statement was most important. He said
that as republican he demanded upon
what authority it was made. Il ash
the senator whether he is authorized
by the president to declare that oul
contemplated action will place us in {