The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-12

bor-In the Honse Mr.. Lentz Makes n
Vicious Attack on the President 8 Cuban
Policy-Bin to Increase the Army Re-
committed
SENATE.
Washington, April 7.-Some sharp
war talk was INDUCED in by the senate
today. When consideration OF the
sCndry civil appropriation bill was re-
stunned, the question pending was the
amendment of Senator Pettus, Of Ala
bama, providing for such Improvement
OF the harbor at Mobile was would en-
E.ble war vessels TO obtain coal and
other supplies there. Senator Allison,
of Iowa, in charge Of the bill male a
point Of order against the amendment.
This called out a bitter speech by Sem
ator Morgan, of Alabama, who charg-
ed the appropriations committee with
discriminating against proper measures
End threatened to assist in dissolving
the committee.
las for the threat implied by the
senator from Alabama" interjected Den
ator Allison hotly, IF 1 know myself,
] do not crave the work hat is now
1IIpOScd upOl lIt NY lue SSIldlc' IL
the senate wants to dissolve the COM
mittee, it may do 50 without delay"
Senator Morgan, resuming the Discus
sion, said that already we heard of a
great coal combine that is to control the
prices of coal to be supplied to the
government at southern ports. de
hoped the report was not true, but he
realized, he said, the opportunity for
such reasonable spoliation Of the gov
eminent. He pointed out some of the
advantages of opening the coal fields
of the south by the movement suggest
ed in the pending amendment. The
government would thus be enabled to
obtain it's coal in any quantities at rea-
sonable rates near the theatre Of action
in case of hOStilitieS. Il do not know,
Mr.. President, whether war IS coming
or not" said he" L have never myself
done anything that might involve This
country in war, but it seems to me hat
the sworn testimony now before the sen
ate is sufficiently strong to compel US
to strike in defense of the honor and
dignity of the country, and in memory
of our dead seamen shrOuded in the
mud of HaVan harbOr. L am willing
to vote for a declaration that may in
VOlve US in hOStiiitieS, because l believe
that we have a just cause"
Senator Morgan was of the opinion
that if a railroad company had brought
the amendment into the senate it would
have passed without a murrnur of dis
sent from the committee, and he did
not think that, in he present circurn-
stances, there should he the slightest
hesitation to pass it, because, although
1t had not received the approval OF any
committee, it had received the sane
tiOn of the secretary of war. Il am
willing" said he" to do anything that
will succor the United States navy n
strike down the monopoly that seeks
to prey upon the
Senator Allison had a telegram read
from Secretary Alger, saying that while
he was willing that Improvement
should be made, the money to be ex-
pended within the discretion of the
secretary of war, he thought the outer
bar should be left for the present so
as to- prevent the too ready ingress of
foreign hostile ships. 1T is better not
the secretary's dispatch read" to open
any deep harbOrs that would admit
warships. 1T would make simply one
more place to guard"
On this telegram the chair OVerruled
Senator Allison's point Of order n
submitted the question to the senate
whether the amendment should he con-
Sidered.
AN aye and no vote was taken on this
proposition and resulted in the negative
10 SO. The vote had the effect OF rul-
ing the amendment out of order
At 2 o'clock the bill was laid aside
and Senator Walthall, Mississippi, pre-
scented resolutions on the death of his
late colleague, Senator James 4. George
and eulOgieS were pronounced on him
by several senator's.
At 4 o'clock, as a further mark of
respect, the senate adjourned until
Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
There was a scene Of great excitement
in the house late this afternoon during
the consideration of the bill for the re-
organization of the army. 1t was caus-
ed 10y MIR. LentZ, an Ohio democrat,
who made a vigorous assault on the ad-
miniStratiOn, charging that the policy
OF delay was in the interest of stock
jObbers in Wall street. He alleged that
Wal street was in the possession OF in
formation that the message would not
go in long before it vas known at the
capitol and profited heavily by the ad-
vance in the price of stocks which re-
suited. He even charged that there
was no warrant for the alasming state
1nsntS about the situation in Havana,
which were made as a justification for
the delay of the message.
Mr.. LentZ'S speech created a profound
sensation and was met with an en-
phatic reply from General GrOsvenOr, /
10Y generally regarded as the admin
istration's spokesman on the floor. Mr..
Grosvenor said a message from General
Lee was receiver on TUESDAY ana
another received on yesterday which
was very urgent. He said the second
was an appeal for time. Speaking of
the note of the pOWer M GrOSvenor
said the presidents reply put an end
without qualification to every delay or
interference from the powers.
Mr.. McMillin asked Mr.. Grosvenor
that the latest information was as to
the presidents policy. In reuly Mr..
GroSvenor asked .Ir. McMillin fo~ ~"
latest information as to the controlling
power ON the democratic side next
Monday daughter and ~applause.)
Il know what power is controlling on
your sidet,' observed Mr.. McMtlin.
THAT power is Mark Hanna" Jeers
on republican side.)
Mr.. Grosvenor defended Senator Han
ma, calling attention to the senator's
denial that he had ever Fought a share
of stock on Wall street in his life.
Can he say the same thing about
votes?' asked Mr.. McMillin amid de-
1:sive laughter from the democratic