The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-26
CONGRESS AcTs PROMPTLY


In Passing, Without n Diuentiny Voice,
th- Declaration OF War. ~
WASHINGTON. April 25.-war and
war measures were the only topics dis.
cussed by the senate to-day during more
than four hours OF Its session. The bpdy
had scarcely convened when the mes
sage of the President urging Congress to
declare the existence OF war between
the United States and Spain was laid
before 1t. Without comment the message
was referred 10 the foreign rlations cum
mittee.
Consideration OF the naval appropria-
tlon bill was resumed, the pending ques-
tion being upon an amendment OF Mr..
Butler to reduce the price OF armor
plate or as IN alternative to establish an
armor factory. After q long and bitter
debate, In the course OF which Mr.. But
Ter was accused by Mr.. Hawley, Of Con-
necticut, OF making what In the circum-
stances would be regarded as treasonn-
BILE, utterances, the amendment was de-
feated. An amendment OF great import
ance was attached to the bill at the last
minute by Mr.. Hale, chairman Of the
naval affairs committee. II authorizes
the secretary Of the navy to enlist as
many men as he muy deem necessary
to man the ships Of the navy during the
existing war. and approprlates $3.50, 900
to enable him to carry the amendment
into effect. The naval bill was then
passed "
The army reorganization bill was re-
ported to the senate with some amend
ments by Mr.. Hawley, Of the military
affairs committee and passed within
twenty minutes. It was not completed,
however, as the house non-concurred in
the senate amendments and asked for
conference.
At 3 o'clock the senate went into secret
legislative session and passed bill OF
the house declaring the existence of war
between the United States and Spain.
Subsequently brief open session was
held, during which minur business was
transacted.
Action In the House.
The galleries OF the house were
thronged this morning In anticipation
Of the Presidents message asking Con-,
gress to make a formal declaration OF
war. It was read Immediately after
prayer and was listened to with pro-
found attention. There was no demun-
stration at the conclusion OF the reading
and no demand for the reading of the
diplomatic correspondence that accom-
panied the message. The speaker SIM
ply ordered 1t referred under the rules
to the committee on foreign affairs. and
printed for the information OF the house.
The house then proceeded with the
consideration of District of Columbia
business.
No interest was manifested In the
house proceedings until shortly after 1
o'clock. Acting Chairman Adams en-
tered the hall and the news that the
committee had unanimously agreed
upon q bill declaring the existence Of
state Of war was known all over the
house. y
Mr.. Adams had hurried consultations
with the speaker and Messrs Dinsmore
and Berry OF the minority OF the COM
mittee. At 20 p. m. he asked unanI-
nous consent for the consideration OF
the bill declaring the existence OF state
OF war between this country and the
Kingdom OF Spain. There was not
murmur of dissent. The bill was read.
The house held its breath.
Mr.. Mcclure, Oem., Cala.), arose to
ask question, but refrained. The
question was put on the third reading
and passage Of the bill and in magni-
ficent chorus the whole house responded
AYE" The announcement of its pas
sage was greeted with q round of ap-
plause and cheer or two from The floor
and galleries and then the house re-
sumed consideration of the election case.
There was no excitement. 1t required
exactly one minute and forty-one Sec
onds for the house to pass the bill. No
such impressive action can be recorded
in the legislative annals of any country
The house OF representatives had sim
ply paused in the consideration OF its
routine business to pass a declaration of
war.