The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-19

with being subservient to
those who desired to prevent action on
tn question. Further inaotion he in
sisted was disgrace to American man
hood. The autonomy offered by Spain,
he declared was revolving mookery. He
warned the other side that the question
could not be,eyaded or lodged; that with
this opportunity before them they could
not go back to their constituents ana
plead the rules as an excuse for nom
action. He was proceeding to denounce
the administration for following the ex-
ample of it's predecessor in sending out
the United States vessels to hunt down
the sympathizers with the struggling
Cubans when Mr.. Steel, Republican OF
Indiana, and Mr.. HIT both called the
attention of the chair to the fact that Mr..
Dearmond was not discussing the polnt
of order
Mr.. Dcarmond said he we'll understood
this. but he would not finch from his
purpose. II the point of order were sus-
tanned he declared that it was his purpose
to appeal from the decision of the chair
and give the House the opportunity to
determine this question for itself. lie
felt constrained to do this, he said, out OF
a sense Of public duty
Mr.. Bailey the Democratic leader, re-
enforced the views of Mr.. Dearmond, ar
guing that q proposition to recognize q
state of war In Cuba was certainly ger
name TO this bill. 1t had been his pur-
nose. he said, to have offered the Senate
Cuban beHigerency resolution as an
amendment.
The climax of his speech came when he
dramatically offered to withdraw his
amendment If Mr. Hit, the chairman of
the foreign affairs committee would give
assurances that the Senate resolution
would receive consideration within a
reasonable time. The Democrats ap-
plauded this challenge to the echo. Mr..
Bailey paused to await Mr.. Hits answer,
but Mr.. Hit did not rise.
"1he gentleman (Hitt) added Mr..
Bailey is as silent as the Republican
party on this question: Again the
Democrats cheered and the galleries also
applauded. Then Mr.. Hit rose, but in
stead of replying to Mr.. Bailey challenge
he called the attention of the chair to the
fact that Mr.. Bailey was not discussing
the point OF order. sit is an attempt to
have two general debates said he. The
Democrats ieered this statement. MI.
Hepburn, in the chair then sustained
the point of order, whereupon Mr.. Dear
mond in order to get the question before
the house in better form offered the
Senate Cuban resolution as an amend
ment. and when it was overruled made
his snpeal from the decision of the chair.
By this time the greatest excitement
existed in the House The galleries had
filled to overlooking, messengers had been
sent scurrying to all quarters of the Capt.
tot to summon Republicans who were alb
sent from the hall. 1t was evident that
there was fear on the part Of the House
managers that the House might be carried
off it's feet on this first occasion OF test
of the sentiment toward Cuba.
The House managers made their fight
for regularity of proceedings. The
Speaker. who was in the lobby came into
the hall and helped to rally his followers.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader of the Ma
iority, characterized Mr.. Dearmond's ap-
peal from the decision of the chair as
most extraordinary proposition. 1t was
proposition to override the rules and to
establish new mode OF procedure and to
destroy the orderly transaction of bust
ness MANY time he was saying, 81
might have been tempted for partisan
purposes
aIhen the gentleman comedies this is a
partisan question, shouted Mr.. Terry,
Democrat of Arkansas, sthat the Demo-
Gratis are ON one Sluo auu LILO hopoplio1Hs
on the other
mir. Dingley waived Mr.. Terry aside
and paid nolattention to the interruption,
which the Democrats had applauded.
Mr.. Dingley appealed to his side of the
House to sustain the rules of the House.
Partisan spirit was running at fever heat
and the Republicans indicated their sup
port by warm manifestations of approval.
Mr.. Dearmond got the floor again and
urged members on both sides to vote "to
free this House for one hour from a
dominion so absolute that it is impossible
to get consideration for any matter, no
matter how important or urgent, without
the consent of those in authority in the
House." sit seems to be our loftiest
duty to observe the petty shifting rules OF
the House no matter where they lead OF
what the exigencies of the time demand. .
Again Mr.. Hit protested that the de-
bate was not on the question before the
House and again the minority ieered- 81
am sticking as close to my text" shouted
Mr.. Daarlnond, "as Mr.. Dingley did. "
Mr. Dearlnond declared that no code OF
rules should violate the plain dictates Of
humanity and decency.
Mr.. Simpson, Populist of Kansas
stated that the Speaker bimfelf lad
violated the rule by not appointing
the committees of the House.
Mr.. Henderson, Republican of Iowa, a
mem Dor of the rules committee said that
Mr. Dearmond was again lecturing the
House.
He was interrupted by Mr.. Dearmond,
and the oolloquy was fast and furious.
The confusion redoubled rs the debate
proceeded, many members contendine
for the floor, while the area in front OF
the Speaker was crowded.
Mr.. Henderson gave parting shot by
declaring that if majority of the House
desired action on the Cuban resolution it
would find means for action. But If a
majority Is against action on that resolu
ton, he added dohantly, then that action
will not be taken despite the fine play OF
the gentleman from Missouri.
A brief clash occurred between Mr..
Bailey and Mr.. Dingley on the procedure
in the present case.
Mr.. Lewis, Democrat of Washington
gave breathing spell by making long
speech on presidents of the bill to tbs
Cuban amendment. The Cuban theme
temporarily disappeared and Mr.. Cannon
Republican of Illinois, and others dis.
cussed the parliamentary status.
eff the Cuban amendment is not in
order" asked MIR. Bland, Democrat OF
Missouri, of Mr.. Cannon, chow can the
question be brought before the House sc
we can vote on it?''