The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-12
IN THE HOUSE.
Slight Applause From a Few Repub,
1icans Over the MESSAGE.

Slight Applause From Few Repub-
Ecans Over the Message.
Washington, April 1.-THE presidents
message was read in the house today
in the presence of a vast assembled
audience and. referred to the committee
on foreign affairs without debate.
There was absolutely no demOnstra-
! ton, either of approval or disapproval,
from the crowded galleries through
out or at the conclusion of the read
! ing, but there was a sharp burst er
applause from the Republican side
when, toward the close of the message,
the president said the war in Cuba
must cease
At the conclusion of the reading
about half the Republicans appIauded
and several Democrats groaned After
the message had been referred the
house transacted some District Of
Columbia business, and then acted on
! the Fairchilds-Ward contested election
case from the Eighteenth New York
district by confirming Mr.. Wards title
to the seat. Little or no interest was
taken in the proceeding. All the after
noon members stood about in groups
discussing the message and the prob-
able action of congress on it.
Postmaster General Gary and Secre-
| tary of Agriculture Wilson were on the
floor just before the house convened.
As the hands of the clock pointed TO
noon the speaker entered, the hubbub
ceased, and among an impressive Sill
lence the chaplain invoked the divine
aid in the crisis
Immediately after the reading Of the
journal a contest arose between the
committee on elections and the COM
mittee on the District of Columbia, overs
the right of way, and while the wrangle
that followed, to the mystification OF
the eager visitors in the galleries, was
at its height. Major Pruden. the pres
ident's executive clerk, suddenly ap-
peared in the main aisle bearing the
message. Instantly the whispered word
passed around the packed galleries,
the message, the message" 1t was
like an electric shock. A hush fell on
the aSsemblage. The legislative glad
iators who were fighting for right Of
way fell apart. The speaker arose and
Major Pruden announced the message.
As it was carried down the aisle the
galleries leaned over with GREATNESS
attention. the members settled in their
chairs. The sealed envelope was broken
by the speaker himself and the mes
sage was handed to the clerk The
chair submits the message of the presi-
dent of the United States" announced
the speaker. in clear. distinct tones.
AS the reading began, the ticking of
the clock could have been heard. so
intense was the silence Every ear was
strained. Many members leaned over
on their desks. with their hands TO their
ears. to better catch the mOmentous
words which fell from the lips of the
clerk The latter read in a loud, clear
voice, but in monCtonOuS tone, with
no attempt at emphasis or defamation
But the words needed no defamation
to add to their present import.
There were no demonstrations of ap-
prevail or disapprOval until. toward the
latter part of the message, came the
words, This war must stop" 1t was
greeted with a round of applause
from about every quarter Of the Re
publican side. The galleries gave no
sign. When the reading was concluded
a scattering outburst came from the
Republican side. mingled with a few
groans from the Democratic side. Again
the galleries were silent. The speaker
Immediately announced the reference
of the message and accompanying pa
pers to the committee on foreign af-
fairs. and, without further action, the
house proceeded to the consideration
of District of Columbia business. I'm
mediately the house was in an uprOar.
The spectators hOcked from the gal
leries and the members retired TO the
cloak rooms and Hobbies TO discuss the
message. The speaker was obliged 10
rap frequently for order.
At 4:55 the house adjourned.