Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-30
Deep Feeling in Both Houses Against
the Presidents Position.
SUSDRY TAR-LIKE PROPOSITIONS.
Declaration OF HOStilitie; Against Spain
and Recognition Of CubanS.
THE LEE CLAIM DEFEATED.
II Is stricken Out of the Omni-
bus Bill by Vote OF OF to 81, After
a Hitter Contest-TiiIman Pays Tri-
butte TO Earle.

the Cuban situation-the interest might
almost be termed excitement. so intense
was it-reached a climax in the proceed
ings OF the Senate to-day.
AS on previous days of discussion OF the
Cuban question, thousands OF people
fiocked to the Capitol only few OF
whom. comparatively. could gain admis-
sion to the galleries.
Within five minutes after the Senate
had convened, Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska.
introduced a resolution recognizing the
independence of the Cuban republic. This
was followed by resolution by Mr.. Raw
lins, of Utah. declaring war against the
Kingdom of Spain. Mr.. Foraker, of Ohio.
then introduced a resolution, declaring
for such Intervention in the Cuban war
as would bring about the independence OF
the Cubans. Following this, came reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Frye, of Maine, de-
manding that Cuba be made free.
The resolutions followed one another
so rapidly as almost to stun the audi
tors. both senator's and spectators.
This was the condition when the Vice
nois. for his announced speech on the
Presidents message transmitting to Con-
gress the findings of the Maine court OF
inquiry.
Mr.. Mason read his speech from manu-
script. but it was delivered with all the
yigor and fire OF which he is capable.
The intensity of the feelings of those In
the galleries was evinced by the storm OF
applause which was ELECTED by his decla-
ration that he was for war.
Vice-President Hobart had difficulty In
suppressing the demonstration.
After Mr.. Masons speech, the Senate
passed seventy-four private pension bills,
and followed this order with eulogies on
the late Senator Earle, of South Carolina.
one of the most remarkable of which was
pronounced by Mr.. Tllman. the longtime
political opponent of General Earle.
Mr.. Morrill,, OF Vermont, from the
Finance Committee. reported a joint reso-
luton, providing for the Importation, free
OF duty of military supplies secured
abroad into the United States, and asked
for it's Immediate consideration. 1t was
passed.
RAWLINS RESOLUTION.
The resolution Of Mr. Rawlins Is as fol-
lows:
whereas, the war waged by the King
dom of Spain against the people of Cuba
has destroyed the commerce between
them and the people OF the United states
and it, revival will be impossible so long
as such war may continue; and
whereas, by the authority of that
Kingdom. In the course of such war,
much American property has been de-
stroyed and many American citizens,
without Just cause. have been imprisoned
and some assassinated in their prison
cells: and
whereas, while our ship Maine was
at anchor In the harbor of Habana, with
In the dominion and under the control OF
the Kingdom Of Spain. at place deslg-
mated by her authority that ship and
most of the men on board in the service
of their country, by the explosion OF
submarine mine, were wilfully. wlckediy,
and treacherously mangled and destroy
ed: and
"Whereas. the Kingdom OF Spain has
proven herself incompetent 10 tranquillize
the Island of Cuba, either by methods or
peace or by methods of civilized war
fare, and accordingly has proceeded TO
make desolate the homes OF its peaceful
inhabitants, driving men, women, and
children into guarded camps. and detain-
ing them there, without making pro-
vision TO shelter. clothe. or feed them,
thus wilfully causing their extermina-
ton, to the number Of hundreds of thou
sands by the slow and torturing pro-
cess of starvation; and
Whereas against these wrongs,
against these revolving acts OF lnhu-
manity, this government has time and
again made peaceful protest to the King
dom of Spain, at the same time endea-
voring by a helpful charity TO relieve
those whom she has thus brought 10
such dire distress, and our repeated pro-
tests having been disregarded and our
efforts of philanthropy having proved un-
aVailing; and
Whereas. firmly convinced that fur
ther peaceful protests will prove equally
i'm vain, and that the recognition of the
independence of the republic of Cuba
and armed intervention in its behalf by
this government will alone be effective
for the redress of past and the preven-
tion of future wrongs; and
Whereas, while regretting the neces-
sity-noW lmperative-for such action,
but mindful of our duty TO a neighboring
people and TO humanity, and with clear
consciousness as TO the business OF our
cause, and that cur action will meet with
the approving judgment of all civilized
people; now, therefore, be ii
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States OF
America, in Congress assembled, That
the independence of the republic of Cuba
be, and the same is hereby, recognized
and that war against the Kingdom Of
Spain be, and the same IS, hereby de-
clared and the President is hereby au-
thOrized and directed TO employ the land
and naval forces of the United States of
America to wage such war to success"
MAsoN's SPEECH.
Mr.. Mason first spoke OF the condition
of affairs in Cuba, and the pictures paint
ed by those who had visited the island.
Speaking OF the destruction of the
Maine, he said:
ship. went down, and 26S Of our gallant
gff haF no
every citizen Of the United States fam-
liar with the Spanish character felt con-
fident il was Spanish treachery. Sup
pose ninety of the sailors who were mur-
dered had been United States senators:
suppose the balance had been members
OF Congress, or made up of judges and
leading professional and businessmen,
would forty days have elapsed before
war began; or suppose each senator had
had a son or father there? Do we tell
our children the truth when we say that
the life of every American citizen Is OF
equal value before the law? They were
not senators; they were sailors. Their
widows and orphans cry aloud TO us, the
silent appeal OF 26s seamen comes TO us
again and again, saying, We are flesh OF
your flesh. bone Of your bone, and blood
OF your blood. We loved and died for the
flag that shields you What is 10 be our
answer? Shall we answer with money,
MIR. President. / speak only for my
SELF and / am for war.
but gentlemen may say: Don't say
you are for war; say that you are for
armed Intervention. which means war
II believe in calling things by their
right names. IL we believe that murder
ing our men. sinking our ship. and low
ering our flag is not cause for war. say
so and refer t. as they did the Virginius