Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-13
SENATE AND HOUSE.
Various Resolutions and Speeches on
the Cuban Question.
OPENING GUNS OF T0-DAY'S FIGHT.
A Number Of BroadSideS Among tbs
Representatives.
CRITICISM OF THE MESSAGE.
Gro,yenor Announces that Mckinley
PROPOSES n Cuban Government In
Jcpeudent OF Spain-IIe Promises
Early Congressional Action.
CRITICISM OF THE MESSAGE
Gro.yenor Announces that McKinic,
Proposes n Cuban Government In

Early Congressional Action.
WASUISGTON, ID. c., April i2.-For
nearly three hours to-day the Senate
discussed the Cuban question In its seve-
raj phases. Three resolutions bearing
upon the question were introduced. one
by Mr.. Lindsay, of Kentucky, declaring
that the contemplated operations against
the Spanish army in Cuba should be in
concert with General Gomez, the supreme
command to be vested in the commander
of the United States forces to the end
that the independence of the Cubans
might be secured; another. by Mr.. VIII
son. of Washington, directing the Presi-
dent to at once take such steps as will
secure to the Cuban people an independ-
| ent form of government, ana the third
| by Mr.. Allen, OF Nebraska, declaring the
existence OF war between the United
States and Spain and directing the Presi-
| dent TO stop it, and secure to the people
| of the island a stable and independent
| government.
Speeches were delivered by Mr.. Pettus,
| of Alabama; Mr.. Mason, of Illinois, and
Mr.. Butler, of North Carolina. Judge
Pettus presented an argument that Con-
gress could not delegate TO the President
! the power to make war, either III gene
| raj or in a special sense, and declared
| that the making of any war without an
express declaration by Congress would
| be a disgrace TO the nation. Mr.. Ma
| sons speech was largely a legal argu-
ment in recognition of the independence
| of the Cubans. He said that he was
for war only as a means of securing an
| honorable peace. Il have no desire,
| he continued, Ito destroy the Spanish
| nation, but her flag must be dishonored
| by surrendering her sovereignty over
| Cuban territory, as an atonement Tor
lowering our flag, sinking our ship, and
numbering our men.
Intervention by force Of arms. as re-
! commended by the President, is war. TO
declare for intervention without declaring
! directly, openly for war, seems to lack
| frankness, ana saVors Too much OL span
! ish diplomacy"
| Mr. Mason then went into the history
of what had been done by this country in
the past regarding recognition, and de-
| clared that the Cubans had formed ana
maintained civil government
"Do we wish" he said, ito relieve some
American investors who have bought
| Spanish bonds, and who wish TO trade
them for the bonds Of the republic?. Do
we. worse still, wish TO leave the door
! omen to compel those brave men and wo-
men TO accept some terms Of autonomy
| or TO pay blood-money to the Spaniards
| or the Shylocks OF our own landE'
BUTLER FOR WAR.
Mr.. Butler. of North Carolina, followed
| Mr.. Mason He said that he belonged tc
what was popularity termed the opposi'
tion on the floor of the Senate but NJ
maintained that this opposition had thus
far upheld the hands OF the admlnistra
ton as Loyalty as had the best tmend
of the President, and were ready TO CON
tinue so TO do so long as they could aho
preserve their self-respect Mr.. Butter
expressed the hope that the Foreign Re
lations Committee would be able TO brlnl
in a resolution that the Senate might sup
mort as unanimously as II voted for the
100000 emergency Appropriation. In th'
present circumstances, We would, IN I'M
opinion of Mr. Butler, be JUSTIFIED II
driving every Spanish vessel from th'
seas, and laying waste every city ai'
town of Spain. This, because or the de
struction Of the Maine-one OF the 1oul
est crimes in history. He MAINTAINED
that the United States had even more eN
allied reasons for the establishment
Cuban independence-the reasons OF hu
mainly and liberty.
Mr. Butler regretted that the Preslueu
did NOT tell Congress what he meant
lust what he wanted. He disagreed VIII
The president concerning recognition o
tbe Cuban republic, maintaining that Il
sion the war on the island without grant
inc the independence of the Cuban repub
lie simpIy meant the crushing of the Gu
man patriots.
"Why is General Lee hurrying to Wash
iroton9n inquired Mr.. Butler. 1--WE ar
informed that he would have to get on
~ Habana before the Presidents message
was read. Yet here comes a messaS
that causes the Spaniards to bulld Don
fires and rejoice. and starts the STOCK
tickers TO clicking merrily, and cause
smiles TO spread over the countenance
of Wall-Street gamblers.
within a few hours, hope. we VII
be called upon to vote upon dehhit
proposition The last one voted 10
Nth Measure. | voted for the fifty mil
lion emergency appropriation. L am read
ia vote for fifty millions more, o
for two hundred millions, TO avenge IN
Maine and to free Cuba, but I'll not Yot
m expend a dollar for any doubtful pohcy
and III not vote for any schemes to pro
feet Cuban bondhoders. as agains
humanity and freedom and independence.
AID FOR CUBAN REFUGEES.
Mr.. Pasco. Of Florida, presented join
resolution directing the President to us
NOT TO exceed $4,000 OF the fund appro
uriated by Congress TO relieve America
citizens i'm Cuba. for the relief of Ameri
can citizens and others who have re
Gently landed in Florida from Cuba. IL
} explained that while the citizens o
Florida were doing all In their power {
assist the refugees. their means wer
limited
The resolution was agreed to.
, Consideration Of the sundry civil bil
was resumed, but no progress was made
an extended discussion being precipitate
over the old question of using stear
, presses instead OF hand-presses in IN
Bureau of Engraving and Printing, whic
is a branch of the Treasury Department
At S:55 p. NJ. the bill was laid aside 10
the day and the Senate went into exc
ciltive session. adjournng at AS +. VI.
GROSVENOR EXPLAINS.
General Grosvenor, of Ohio, now gene
rally regarded as the spokesman or IN
President on the floor OF the House, lat
this afternoon, in reply to an attack upo
the policy of the administration, inter
preted the recommendations or the Presl
, dents message to be a request for au
= thority to use the army and navy or IN
q United States to establish on the lslan
of Cuba a government independent
Snain II was regarded as an exceedlngl