Evening star., 1898-03-31
EXCITING HOUSE SCENES
Representative Cummings Speaks on Condi.
tions in Cuba.
Says Hfs Mouth Has Been PadlockeJ
by the Observation-Disclosures
of His Auditors.

From time to time during the afternoon
in the House Of Representatives yester-
day the Cuban question was brought for
ward during consideration Of the naval ap-
preparation bill, and aroused intense feel
ing. Mr. Wheeler (Ala.) said that in the
morning the country had been stirred by
the announcement that the republicans of
the House had at last revolted and action
was to be taken. Tomorrow the American
people would be Inundated when they
found that the republicans of the House
had Joined the temporizing policy which
was betraying the American government
and the American name.
Mr.. Cummings IN. W: "How much time
would 1t require, considering the prospect
i've alliance between the governments of
Spain and the United States, to put down
the patriots of Cuba?" Great applause in
the galleries)
with my head bowed in humilia ton"
replied Mr.: Wheeler, II have watched how
matters have gone, but l do not believe
the administration will go so tar as to ex-
tend a friendly hand to the InurGe1ers of
the sailors of the Maine and the patriots of
Cuba" Renewed applause.)
An amendment was adopted, on motion of
Mr.. Elliott Is. c.. to appropriate $50 900 for
a steam engineering shop at the Port Royal
naval station.
Galleries Enthusiastfc.
MT. cummings, speaking to this amend
ment, aroused the galleries to high pitch
of enthusiasm. 'The Port Royal dock"
said he, 'is the nearest dock to Key West,
1t Is the nearest dock where you can have
a man-of-war repaired in case she Is dis
abied. The gentleman from South Carolina
(ElliotD tells us that this work can be done
within three months. You will need it be-
fore the three months are over, Mr. Chair
gan. That there will be war between this
country and Spain is indicated by every
pulsation Of the popular heart today.
have received from my own constituents
this batch OF letters in one mail, asking me
why my voice Is silent at this time; asking
me why, after l have visited Cuba and
know the facts, I remain silent l wish
to say, Mr.. Chairman, 1 remain silent he
cause. under the rules of a former House.
adopted under false plea by this House
!appiause), my lips are sealed, my mouth
Is padlocked by the majority of this House
through its rules. I will say further to the
continents who are writing me every hour
that today besought the Speaker Of the
House to give me an opportunity to tell
what I saw, not what I ueard. and was
told that at the proper time the opportnni.
ty would be given me.
Mr.. Wheeler Of Alabama-"Next year"
MI Cummings-"The representative from
the first district of Maine decidine what
would be the proper time"
Cuban Ruin.
RNOW, 4uT. SIelEIudQ, Snall not vote Tor
any 100000 apprc priation to feed the re-
concentrates of Cuba until this govern
ment explicitly seys to Blanco and to Sa
gasta, Repeal your Weyler order, which
is starving these people! (Applause.)
There Is the place to take the initiative.
Make them repeal that murderous order of
Weylers. From even a Spanish stand
point or a Weyler standpoint, it is no long
er necessary that that order should con-
tinue in force. Weyler said he made the
order for the purpose of destroying the
basis OF supplies of the Cuban patriots in
the west. in Havana, in Matanzas in
Santa Clara and Puerto Principe. Well.
they are already destroyed. There are no
provisions raised there There are not ten
acres in all these provinces planted with
prcvisiono. The country Is devastated and
ruined. 1t Is an utter impossibility unless
they bring their provisions with them, for
Gomez and Garcia to march into the wes.-
ern provinces Of Cuba Therefore. I saw.
that the initiative should be peremptory
demand by this government for the repeal
OF the Weyler order. When that Is DONE
feed the IecoEcertrados, If you please.
First give them homes. give them pioughs
give them oxen. And, in Gods name
send them back to the blackened ashes of
their homes and give them the opportunity
to raise provisions Tor themselves" (Ap-
plause.)
Mr.. Boutelle objected to an extension of
Mr. Cummings time beyond the five-min-
Without reaching the provisions relating
TO the increases in the navy, the COM
mittee rose. and at sos o'clock pm. the
House adjourned.