The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-04-02
A FLOW on ORATORY.
Three House Leaders Speak on the
Cuban Situation.
THREE DIFFERENT VIEWS.
Mr. Grosvenor Defines the Position of
the Administration, Mr.. bailey
That Of the Democrats, Mr..
johnson Pleaded For Peace.


Washington, April For three hours
yesterday the packed galleries and ex.
cited members OF the house listened 10
passionate outburst Of oratory ON the
Cuban question, during which the in
tensity Of feeling was alternatively man
ifested by cheers, ieers and Kisses. Time
and again tho excited throngs in the |
galleries were admonished TO be silent,
and once, at least, il seemed As II mo-
ton would BE- made 10 clear them.
Tho three speeches which stirred the
assemblage TO its depths were made by
Mr.. Grosyenor Of Ohio who, It was as
sumed, spoke for the administration,
and who practically pledged it to the
cause Of free Cuba; Mr. Bailey Of Texas,
the Democratic leader, who announced
the Democratic position as for free Cuba
without war, II il could Be avoided, but
with war II necessary, and Mr.. johnson
OF Indiana, who spoke for peace, declar'
ing that it was our duty to go to the
extreme in magnamimity TO avoid the
horrors Of war.
Mr.. Lewis, Democrat from Wash
ington, provoked the speech Of Mr..
Johnson, which aroused the members
ard the galleries to the fever pitch Of
excitement. Mr.. Lewis had denounced
the proposition that Cuba purchase her
freedom from Spain, which, It was al
legged, the administration was fostering
Then II was that Mr.. Johnson In brilli'
ant speech pleaded for peace, He faced
the storm Of Kisses which swept down
upon him from the galleries like a Spar.
tan, and with passionate uttennccs ad.
jured members TO pause before they
plunged themselves into war, the evils
Of which would follow after In an enl.
less train.
The house has had before illustrations
Of Mr.. Johnson's fearlessness, but none
so striking as yesterday, when he es'
poused the unpopular cause and pleaded
TO let diplomacy have is way. At the
same time he gave IL as his opinion that
II an ultimatum had been sent 20 Spain
IL meant war, as SPANS pride would
not permit her 10 humiliate herself b..
fore the world He eulogzed every in.
fluencc that made for peace. and de-.
clared his belief that the Cuba junta
would agree to pay ilOOOOO, 600 for the
independence Of the island
Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader,
was quick 70 seize the advantage which
Mr. Johnsons position had afforded and
In a ringing speech set his followers and
the galleries wild, he announced his h..
lief from what Mr. johnson had said
that the purpose Of the Republicans In
refusing 10 Join with the Democrats
Tuesday was TO give the administration
an opportunity 10 compel the Cuban pa
triots 20 bay the independence they woI
e from the butcherics OF Spain. He sal,
he too, deplored war, and In describing
It's awful horrors as the southern people,
had known them, drew tears from Oh,
eyes OF some Of his colleagues. lie dc
clared there was yet a chance 10 aver
war. He had been told within % hour
by a representative Of the Cuban junii
that they did not want 10 involve tn
United States in war. All they wante,
3 was TO have their independence rcog
0 nized, and with the munitions of wa
. and the recruits they could obtain, thei
! independence could b. achieved. Il
{ conclusion he said the Democrats wer
4 for free Cuba without war II possible
= but war II necessary.
= This speech Of Mr. Bailey drew IN
{ fire Of the administration spokcman %
the floor, General Grosyonor Of Ohio
With his reply the climax Of the da
. was reached. He charged Mr.. Bale
n with attempting to make political cap
tai. He denounced the statements tina
the administration intended 10 furr
Cuba to buy her freedom rs the silly IL
i ycntion OF an idiot, and declared tha
c from the president down the administer
ton was for free Cuba. Recognition {
IS her independence, he said would BE- bt
q a half way measure. He thrilled h
n audience when he asked what mcai
e the war preparations that werc going q
|. night and day II not that when actio
d was taken looking TO the independent,
Of Cuba, It would be- backed up II ne
essary by the army and navy Of Il
+. United States
After Mr.. Grosvenor, concluded Il
debate went on, the most pronounced I
Mr.. Cummings, OF New York, who d
4 nounced the present character viii,
10 question was assuming as unpatriot
m and unwise.
NJ Little PROCESS was made with the n
IA val bill The only important amen
ment adopted was one appropriate
$500, 900 for the erection Of new bull
= ings at the naval academy.
~ In the senate the Cuban question "
d. discussed, and q passage Of arms ,
us changed by Mr. Chandler aud Mr. Fr
in in regard to the delay on the war res
to lutions by the committee ON foreign
TO lations. Mr. Allen took advantage
Al the situation and expressed his war 81
y. timents-which were in favor Of giyi
" absolute independence TO the Cubans.
ps Upon the conclusion Of the Cub
- discussion the sundry civil appropriate
" bill was taken up and 80 pages Of
:, were disposed Of before adjournment.