The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-08
ONLY SPAIN CAN AVERT IT
GEN. GR0svEN0R SAYS SHE
MUST FIGHT OR YIELD
ton by Lentz, of Ohio, Who
Charged the President With Play
Ing Into the Hands of the Stock
JOhbers-Spirited Reply by the
Administration Spokesman.

sideration of the bill for the reorgant-
cation of the army.
1t was caused by Mr.. Lentz, an Ohio
! Democrat. who made a vicious assault
on the administration, charging that
the policy of delay was in the interest
of stock jobbers in Wall street. He
alleged that Wall street was in pos
session Of information that the mes
sage would not go in before 1t was
known at the capitol, and prof1ted
heavily by the advance in the price of
stocks which resulted. He even charg-
| ed that there was no warrant for the
alarming statements about the situa-
ton in Havana to justify the delay Of
the message.
Mr.. Lentz's speech created a pro-
| found sensation and was met with an
emphatic reply from Gen. Grosvenor,
now regarded generally as the admins
| tration spokesman ON the floor. Mr..
Grosvenor not only indignantly denied
that there was justification for the re-
ports, but held Mr.. Lentz up to scorn
| for alleging corrupt motives against
| the president.
Mr.. Lentz disclaimed this, but the
irate friend Of the president gave him
| no mercy. He was thoroughly aroused
| and laid about him with veritable
| bludgeon. charging that the Democrats
were seeking political advantage and
| paying his respects to John j. McCOok
| and others. Before he concluded he ex-
| pressed the opinion that war was as
! certain as that we would live until next
week. unless it was averted by Spain.
Attack by Lentz.
| The debate on the army bill today
developed more and more opposition.
Mr.. Hull, chairman of the military
| committee. realizing the opposition to
| certain features, stated before the con-
| sideration of the bill was resumed at
| the proper time he should move to
strike out everything except the first
| two sections, providing for the three
| battalion formation.
| Mr.. Lentz Dem., o., in the course
Of his remarks in opposition to the bill,
| declared that there would be no war,
| that the peace party" which was
| specializing in stocks and bonds, would
| prevail.
Continuing. he charged that congress
was being overwhelmed by kilograms
dictated by commercial greed" all Of
which, he declared. emanated princi-
pally from Wall street and Lombard
| street
1T is the old question of the almighty
| dollar" said he. cit is the fall of
| stocks the gentlemen who control the
| administration fear more than war.
| They care nothing for the 266 assassin
! ated Americans who went down in Ha-
| vana harbor, but they care everything
| for SO cents plus one cent.
81 say, my friends. that we owe an
apology to Judas Iscariot. I say he
ought to be brought back and deified.
If Judas lived in this age he would
not have gone to the potter's field and
| hanged himself. He would have been
sent to the United States senate in due
time. such a Spectator as he was.
daughter and applause on Democratic
side0
Mr. Lentz's remarks brought Mr..
Grosvenor co.. generally regarded
as-the administration spokesman, to his
feet, with an indignant reply, in the
course of which he made some start
ling statements which caused a great
sensation in the house. He said:
Grosvenor Caust1c.
The gentleman from Ohio CMr. Lentz) has
predicated a long speech here upon state
ment of facts made by himself. He de-
CARES that no message came from Gen. Lee
yesterday, that it was a fake report, that 1t
was false, given out for a corrupt purpose
by the president to affect the stock market.
Every particle Of this statement u.s. with
out quail fcation, absolutely false. Applause
on the Republican side.)
The president backed by his cabinet
and backed by the best judgment of this
house and backed by the best judgment OF
the senate is proceeding as rapidly as pos
sible to put end to this war. and yet the
gentleman says the president has faltered.
A charge no more serious than he has pre-
ferred has brought the head of many man
to the block; a charge more infamous than
that could not be borne by any man in this
country, to make it appear that the presi-
dent has used the power that congress has
| given him to operate upon the stock mar
kets of this country. Prove that and you
would have a vacancy in the presidency
just quick as you can establish 1t. The
charges have no truth
Mr.. Speaker / did not suppose that in this
American congress it was necessary that l
should make an explanation in order to de-
fend the president of the United States fr5m
an insinuaticn like that l glad that the
purpose of the opposition is now fully and
clearly disclosed. I am delighted that be-
cause OF little change in the programme
wholly unimportant except as it strength
ems the daily augmenting power of the
United States-a change made under stress
Of circumstances that would have controlled
any civilized natioD-1 am delighted that the
gentleman from Ohio has given us notice
that every occurrence now and hereafter
is to be taken advantage Of for party pur-
poses.
Now, gentlemen, let me tell you another
thing. This war will be fought under the
banner of the Republican administration of
this government or it will never be fought
at all. We may differ about how it ought
to be 1naugurated. and honestly. Some Of
you may have an opinion different from
mine; and honor you for that. But when
the time comes the commander of the Uni.ed
States VIII command the column that will
crush the power of Spain or it will never
be crushed.
Promise of War.
1 have no more doubt that we are going
to war than have that we will live until
next week. l may be mistaken. 1 pray to
God that may be mistaken. But l be-
lieve. Mr.. Speaker. that we will go to war
on a declaration substantially Of congre S.
My influence will be given for peace for
whatever it is worth. My influence will be
given to avert war. but the time is up
in my humble judgment when we can avert
it. and if peace shall prevail 1t must come
from the action Of another country rather
than own.
Our position is taken and we cannot
recede. But let the policy of this govern
ment be such that when the tocsin of war
shall have sounded all of the civilized
world Will say. America is right" Great
applause.)
After Mr.. Grosvenor concluded his
remarks, Mr.. Bailey took the floor In
| a brief speech. In which he quoted sew
eral utterances of Mr.. Grosvenor to
show that the Buckeye statesman had
from one Of Mr.. Grosvenors speeches
Of week ago. in which he declared
that the administration would, when
the time for action came. be for indie
| pendence and intervention; two days
| later he said, in an interview, indie
pendence without armed Intervention.
and now he said armed intervention
without independence.
Mr.. GrosvenOr caused some merri-
! ment on the Democratic side when he
said the statements quoted were sub
stantially in the same direction.
Then, turning his attention to some