The record-union., 1898-04-01
Three Speeches Which Stirred the
AssemhIage to Its Depths.
GrosGenor Speaks for the Administration,
Bailey Defines the Democratic
Position and Johnson
Pleads for Peace.

WASHINGTON, March 81. - For
three hours to-day the packed CALLER
les and excited members of the House
listened to a passionate outburst of
oratory on the Cuban question, during
which the intensity of feeling %as
alternately manifested by cheers, jeerS
and Kisses. Time and again the ex-
cited throngs in the galleries were ad-
| monished to be silent, and once at
least it seemed as if a motion would
be made to clear them.
The three speeches which stirred the
assemblage to it's depths were made by
Grosvenor of Ohio, who, it was as
sumed, spoke for the Administration,
and who practically pledged it to the
cause of free Cuba; Bailey of Texas,
the Democratic leader, who announced
the Democratic position as for free Gu
ba without war if it could be avoided.
but with war if necessary, and Johnson
of Indiana, who spoke for peace, de-
claring that it was our duty to go to
the extreme in magnanimity in order
to avoid the horrors of war.
Lewis, Democrat from Washington,
provoked the speech of Johnson, which
aroused The members and the CALLER
les to the fever pitch of excitement.
Lewis had denounced the proposition
that Cuba purchase her freedom from
Spain, which, it was alleged, the Ad-
ministration was fostering.
TIay, x1-ae +I,o+ ToI1coY J1,iI-
liant speech, pleaded for peace. He
faced the storm of Kisses which swept
down upon him from the galleries like
a Spartan, and with passionate utter
ance adjured members to pause before
they plunged the country into war,
the evils of which would follow after
in endless train.
The House has before had illustra-
tions of Johnsons fearlessness, but
none so striking as to-day when he
espoused the unpopular cause, and
pleaded to let diplomacy have its way.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal the House went into committee,
and proceeded with the consideration
of the naval appropriation bill.
THE TROUBLE BEGINS.
One of the most exciting incidents
of the day was produced during the
consideration of this amendment when
Lewis CD of Washington denounced
the alleged agreement, which rumor
said the Administration was consider
ing to accept a money indemnification
from Spain for the murdered sailors
of the Maine.
His remarks drew from Johnson (R)
of Indiana an indignant protest against
the cries for war which he had heard
all about him. At one point in his
speech the storm of Kisses from the
galleries was so great that the Chair
was obliged to warn the spectators
against demonstrations.
Johnson made some humorous re-
marks about Lewis, saying sarcastical-
ly that if he was let loose in Cuba the
Spaniards would depart. Turning to
the more serious part of the question,
he said
Now, in all seriousness. in discussing
tn1S cry or war IndI We nave EecLi1
on that side of the chamber, do gem
tlemen stop and reflect a moment upon
what it means if we should enter upon
hostilties If the hot-headedness or
men in public life should now force the
President to put Spain into an embar-
RAISING position, which her proud spirit
will not permit her to accede to; if the
public men in Congress would simply
restrain themselves and keep their
hands off the President, he would be
able to accomplish in a very short
space of time by the aid of diplomacy,
the independence of Cuba. We hear
that the Cuban junta in New YORK
say they are willing to raise, and can
raise a hundred million dollars in order
to purchase their independence. Now
you see, we have brought these two
antagonizing forces together by the
success of judgment, of diplomacy and
exalted patriotism of the statesman in
the White House (Applause) And
believe if we will give him fair OPP
portunity to carry out his purposes he
will bring us to a triumphant conclu-
sion without shedding an ounce of
American blood. Great applause.)
The amendment appropriating $780,
Continued on Seventh Page.)