The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-03-03
WORK OF CONGRESS

E II
Washington, Feb. "a. - While the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill yesterday a sharp debate on the
Cuban question was precipitated by
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska, who offered as
an amendment the resolution passed
by tie senate year ago recognizing
the belligerent rights of the Cuban in
surgents. The debate became general
and occupied nearly four hours. In
the course Of reply to the prelim-
mary statement by Mr.. Allen, Mr..
Morgan of Alabama said that this
country's relations with Spain at the
present time were seriously strained
and that Intervention by the United
States which a year ago would have
been inoffensive, would now be almost
cause Of war. He expressed the
opinion that the Cuban affair would
eventually be submitted to the arbi-
trament Of the sword between the
Units@i States and Spain, but he did
lot want war precipitated by rash acts
of legislation. Mr.. Foraker of Ohio
thought the day was not far distant
when the time for action by this coun-
try would arrive, and that the chief
magistrate of the nation ought to re-
Joice that the legislative branch of
the government was prepared to sup
port him in asserting American rights.
Mr.. ThurSton of Nebraska counselled
calmL ess and prudence, for he believed
that the country was rapidly drifting
into a war with Spain. I'VE ought to
have patience" said he, land wait as
a great and powerful people, not in
fear, but in hope, that some satisfac-
tory conclusion of the present difficult
ty may be reached.
Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts main
tanned that the floor of the senate was
no proper place for angry discussions
of international affairs and that no
senator ought to utter anything that
might not vel! be uttered by the pres
ident Of the United States. He en-
pressed his willingness, however. to
give his support to the executive
should the time for action arrive, pro-
viGed the proposed action was based
upon clear and unmistakable facts.
Mr.. Aliens amendment was ruled out
Of order, and the appeal taken from
the ruling was laid on the table by 4
vote of 81 to 5. Early in the day Mr..
Allen offered a resolution providing for
a committee of five senators who
should go to Cuba and ascertain the
der the rules it went over until to-
morrow. Both the military academy
and the diplomatic and consular appro-
priaiion bills were passed. Mr. Hans
brough attempted to secure action on
the bill to regulate the laws of
Alaska, but on objection from MI.
Turner of Washington it went over.
A variety of subjects occupied the
attention of the house during the con-
sideration of the sundry civil appropri-
alton bill. Mr.. Mahany of New York
made an attack on the patriotism of
some of the social leaders of New
York, whom he said held high revel
while the nation was bowed down
with grief over the loss of life result
ing from the Maine explosion. The
Southern members who have for years
been fighting the appropriation for Gin
formers on illicit distilleries succeed
ed in killing the appropriation in COM
mittee of the whole, but Chairman
Cannon gave notice that he would de-
mand an aye and nay vote in the
house. Early in the session 4 resoll-
ton was adopted inquiring of the
treasury department WAT has been
done by the United States to prevent
the conveyance to the Cubans of arti-
cles produced in the United States,
also as to the prevention of filibuster-
ing. General debate having closed
Tuesday, yesterday the reading of the
Sundry civil bill for amendment un-
der the ive-minute rule was begun
Washington. Feb. 25.-The house de-
voted itself strictly to business to-day
and disposed of thirty additional pages
of the sundry civil appropriation bill
The fact that the government is pre-
pairing for contingencies was recog-
nized in the house when chairman
Cannon, who has been laboring to
keep down appropriations accepted
without a word Of protest, an amend
ment to increase the appropriation to
care for the unused machinery at the
Springfield Arsenal.
Mr.. Gillette explained that necessity
for using this machinery might occur
at ally time. Resolutions which were
objected to 4 few weeks ago for the
appointment Of two extra naval cadets
to positions in the engineer corps Of
the navy were also adopted. One of
them will fill q vacancy caused by the
death Of Lieut.. Merritt Of the Maine.
Mr.. Savers Dem, Tex criticised the
item in the bill placing only the I'M
expended epidemic funds Of past years
at the disposal of the quarantine SER
vice. He thought 100000 additional
should be appropriated.
After considerable discussion the
amendment was lost
After completing 80 pages of the
bill. the committee rose.
At SIS, the house adjourned.
A feature of the senate's session
was the speech Of Mr.. Spooner (Wis.),
on the right Of Henry w. Corbett to
a seat in the senate from Oregon IN
der aDnnintmant of the governor Mr.