The record-union., 1898-06-26
The Proceedings Which Characterize the
Opponents Of Annexation.
While the Army and Navy OF the
United States Were Fight
ing the Battles Of Their
Country, Senators Were Sitting
at the Capitol Conducting Fill
ibuster Against a Measure Es-
sential to the Proper Conduct
Of the War With Spain.


WASHINGTON, June 25.-The Sen
ate met to-day at 1 o'clock, but it
was not until fifteen minutes after that
quorum was secured and proceedings
began.
Sewall CR) of New Jersey called up
and the Senate passed the bill provid-
ing for Military Secretary to the Sec
retary of War.
The conference report upon the sun
dry civil appropriation bill was called
up by Allison.
The Senate amendment providing for
a public building at Butte, Mont, to
which the House insisted on its dis
agreement, was advocated further by
Mantle of Montana.
Pettigrew, speaking to the recession
Of the Senate conferrees from the Sen
ate amendment suspending the execu-
tive orders of February, 1897, making
forest reservations in certain Western
States, criticised the action of the
House for insisting upon striking out
the amendment.
Explaining the contention of the
House, Allison said the House con-
ferrees refused absolutely to go into
the matter of suspending the orders,
because the proper modification or
them was in the province of the Ex-
ecutive Department.
The forestry reservation question was
discussed for nearly two hours by Will
son of Washington, Carter Of Montana,
Cannon of Utah, Mantle of Montana,
and Allison The first three strenu-
ously insisted that the amendment OF
the Senate providing for an abrogation
of the order creating the reservation
should be insisted upon.
Wilson had assurances from the Sec
retary of the Interior that the whole
question would be properly and fairly
dealt with to the satisfaction of all
persons interested.
The report presented by Allison was
finally agreed to.
The Hawaiian annexation question
was laid before the Senate at 40
p. m. Davis. Chairman of the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, offered
resolution that hereafter, until after
further notice the Senate convene at
IL a. m.
1t went over on an objection.
Davis then promptly moved that
when the Senate adjourn to-day it be
until IL a. m. Monday, and the motion
was agreed top to II.
Turley of Tennessee then resumed his
constitutional argument against the an
nexation resolutions. The speech was
interrupted by an extended colloQuoy
between Foraker one one side and AL
len (Pop.) of Nebraska, Clay CD Of
Georgia, and Caffery CD of Louisiana
on the other, Foraker maintaining that
the annexation of Hawaii was not nee
essarily an executive subject.
At the close of the colloquy Pettigrew
offered the following amendment to the
resolution:
THAT the contract labor laws, and
laws, civil and criminal, now in force
in said islands, by which men are held
for service for a definite term, except
in punishment for crime whereof the
party has been duly convicted, are
hereby repealed, and all existing con-
tracts are hereby declared void
Turley then resumed his argument.
At o'clock Jones of Arkansas sug-
gested to Davis that it might be de-
sirable to have a brief executive ses-
sion, and then adjourn.
Il would ask the Senator from Ar
kansas" inquired Davis, whether or
not he would be willing now to sug-
gest when a vote might be taken on
the pending resolution
so far as 1 am concerned" replied
Jones, Il am willing to agree upon
some day next term for a vote"
THAT is quite illusory and impossible
of entertainment, said Davis. Can
the Senator not make it Thursday of
next week?"
THAT is even more illusory." re-
sponded Jones.
Then / shall call for the regular or
der. Mr.. President" said Davis.
A systematic filibustering was then
inaugurated. Pettus CD of Alabama
moved that the Senate go into executive
session. The motion was lost-54 to Is.
Allen moved to adjourn. This motion
was also lost--35 to 10
Allen then moved that the Senate
adjourn until IL a. m. Monday.
Morgan made point of order against
the motion.
Then for half an hour Allen sustain
ed by the opponents of annexation, con-
tinued to suggest the absence OF A
quorum, or enter motions to adjourn.
The friends of annexation stood fast,
and refused either to adjourn or to 50
into executive session
Finally the regular order was called
for, and Berry of Arkansas insisted
that a division had been called for on
one of Aliens motions.
Wilson R) of Washington. in de-
manding again the regular order, init
mated that Berry was engaged in a
game"
This aroused the Arkansas Senator,
and he replied heatedly: Il desire TO
say that / have not been engaged in
any filibustering or in any game, and
any statement of that kind by the Sen
ator from Washington is entirely un-
grounded and unwarranted.'
Morgan CD of Alabama then took
the floor and denounced as ''misera BILE
political trick and intrigue to which he
would never be a party, the proceedings
which had characterized the opponents
OF annexation during the previous hour.
He declared that while the army and
navy OF the United States We're fight
ing the battles of their country, Sena-
tors We're sitting in the Capitol con-
Quoting filibuster against a measure
that was essential to a proper conduct
Of the war against Spain. 1t was The
evident purpose. he said, to block the
progress Of the Hawaiian resolution by
any possible means
1T is the duty of the Senate" said
Morgan. Ito take action upon this great