The record-union., 1898-01-20
But the Republicans Stand Solid and Vote
to Sustain the Chair.
Representative Hit Makes an I'm
pressive Speech, Explaining the
Situation Which Made Action
by Congress InadvisabIe, DecIar-
ing the Insurgents Only Wished
Belligerent Rights in Hope of
EmbrOi1ing This Country in
War, Which Would Give Them
Freedom With Our Triumph.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19-All day
long the question Of granting belliger-
ent rights TO the Cuban Insurgents was
argued in the House, but as yesterday,
the minority hurled itself against a
stonewal. On the only vote taken to-
day, a motion designed to oYerrule the
decision OF the Speaker and direct the
Committee on Foreign Affairs to re-
port without further delay the Cuban
resolution passed by the Senate at the
| last session, the Republicans stood
solid, and voted to sustain the Chair
The galleries. as on yesterday, were
banked to the doors, and there was
| considerable excitement throughout
the early part of the session. when the
members of the minority were suces-
sively pressing their views bearing upon
the Cuban question for the purpose OF
embarrassing the majority
/ During the debate Chairman Hit of
the Foreign Affairs Committee made an
impressive speech of less than an hour
explaining at length the situation which
made action by Congress inadyisable.
He spoke with impassioned words of
the Presidents sympathy with the
struggle for Cuban independence, and
the achievement of the present admin
| iStration. The release of American
| prisoners in Cuba, the recall of Weyler,
the abandonment of the policy of con-
! centration and the autonomy scheme
| he attributed to the firm attitude of the
President, and contrasted these results
with the inaction of the last admins
tration. He averred that belligerent
rights could not aid the insurgents and
| perhaps the most dramatic portion Of
| his speech was when he declared that
the insurgents only wished for belliger-
ent rights in the hope and belief that
this country would be embroiled in a
war with Spain, which would give
| them their freedom With our triumph
He asserted that the President must
assume the responsibility of any action
| which might eventuate in war, and
appealed to both sides of the chamber
to patriotically support the Executive
If crisis shall come.
/ When the House convened to-day
the leaders on both sides were rallying
their forces, and it was apparent that
the battle over Cuba which ragged yes
| terday was to continue to-day. The
attendance on the floor and in the gall
/ lSiIeS was very large.
Linney (R) of North Carolina. from
the Election Committee No. /. reported
that NJ. G. l.. Conner had abandoned
his contest against H. G. Clayton from
the Third Alabama district, and a res
olution was adopted declaring Mr.. Clay
ton entitled to his seat
Grout (R) of Vermont reported the
District of Columbia appropriation bill
Lacey tR.) of Iowa asked unanimous
| consent for the consideration of a bill
| to extend the homestead laws to the
| territory of Alaska, and to grant a right
| of way to any railroad company or
ganized under the laws of any State
Lacey explained that several applica-
tions were mde to his committee by
several companies projecting roads into
Canada, and the committee had decided
to report this general bill.
| Simpson said the bill was too impor-
tant to consider by unanimous consent
and he objected.
Immediately afterward the storm
broke, and the battle over Cuba. was
once more on.
Brucker CD Of Michigan asked unani-
nous consent for the consideration of
a resolution which he sent to the Clerks
desk
The Speaker took occasion to examine
the resolution, and while doing so Bal
ley, the leader of the minority, loudly
demanded that the resolution be re-
ported.
The Speaker thereupon directed the
Clerk to read the resolution, which
proved to be a resolution to instruct
the Committee on Foreign Affairs to
report without further delay the SEN
ate Cuban belligerency resolution.
Like a flash Hit, Chairman Of the
Foreign Relations Committee, was on
his feet with a point of order. which
the Speaker promptly sustained ana
was about to recognize Hit to call VI.
the diplomatic and consular appropria-
ton bill, when Bailey demanded recog-
milton.
One moment, please" he called: s1et
us first dispose of this question of or
der"
THE Chair sustained the point of or
der" retorted the Speaker. testify.
"Then appeal" called Bailey across
the hall to Brucker. and the Michi-
gander entered an appeal from the de-
cision of the Chair. All was instantly
excitement and confusion. A dozen
members We're on their feet demanding
recognition to debate the appeal but
the Speaker recognized Dalzell. who
moved to lay it on the table This cut
off debate, and the Speaker put the
Question. On a rising vote the Re-
publicans stood firm, and voted-107
to Otto lay the appeal on the table
| The yeas and nays were demanded
and obtained by Bailey. The roll-call
Twas watched with interest to ascertain
whether Republicans were willing to
go on record as they had voted yester-
day in committee of the whole. when
no record of the vote was made.
The Democrats who expected to see
the Republican line broken We're dis
lappointed. The majority presented an
lunbroken front. White Of North Car
DINA, the solitary colored member of
the House. when his name was called,
declined 20 vote at all, answering
s'.present," but at the conclusion Of the