The times., 1898-04-06

Yesterday was an uneventful day in the
Senate so far as any action concerning the
an absorbing question Of our Spanish re-
lations are concerned.
While there We're a few expressions Of
impatience, and a desire TO handle the
question in a vigorous manner and i'm
mediately, Oh the part Of a few senators,
the majority seemed 10 be hiding their
time. There seemed to be general i'm
preston and a satisfying conviction that
the President viii today open the way
for action.
Several speeches were made on the Gu
ban question. all OF which resounded with
the one sentiment-the independence Of
that unhappy island.
Senator Chandler, who has been so i'm
patient al the delays in this matter, indi-
Gated 10y his speech that declaration Of
war would lie the measure before the
Senate, and he gave reasons why it should
be sustained.
Mr. Turner'S resolution calling for an
immediate report from the Foreign Re
lations Committee was the keynote for
speeches by Senators Turner, Harris. Ken
ney, Chandler and Turpie.
Mr. Turner declared that Spain was
clearly responsible for the destruction Of
the Maine.
SPANS attitude in this matter, he de-
elared was proof beyond doubt that she
was guilty. and with the conclusive evil
dence Of our Board Of Inquiry there was
no use longer TO delay our action.
~ have the very highest respect for
the office OF President of the United
States" said Mr.. Turner. and l have
always endeavored to cultivate a proper
respect for the occupant OF that posi-
tion, whoever he might be. But / shall
now. as ] have always done. measure
the President of the United States as
would measure any other man, and hold
him 10 the same accountability ! am
prepared TO sustain and follow him with
in the lines Of his constitutional duty.
whether I believe him TO be weak or
strong. because Of my oath Of Office and
loyalty as z citizen.
But he has no right to try 10 lead
where st Is his duty to follow. Nor is it
his place To endeavor-to deter any de-
partment OF this Government.
1T seems TO ne, Mr.. President and
thar is The reason why offered this res
olution, that the time has come when
there ought 10 be some expression Of
TIE sense o. Congress upon this sub
5ect."
with diplomatic representative at
Madrid complicating the conditions and
devoting his energies in q frantic effort
to assure peace at any price; with pri-
vate secretary the alter ego OF the Pres
ident circulating appeals throughout the
country for petitions for peace TO be sent
here: with the President himself depart
ing from the regular and orderly method
Of communicating with Congress, IN ia
vor Of private and personal appeals 10
senators and members TO forego action
until some indefinite time when the EX-
ecutive may be expected . take some
indefinite action; with the Congress Of
the United States sim uninformed as to
what Is 70 be the result OF the day, it Is
not surprising 10 my mind that the peo-
pie OF America have become impatient
with this intolerable situation, and de-
mand Of their representatives. in Congress
the action which they alone are capable
OF taking
Mr.. Harris followed Mr.. Turner with
short speech, declaring also that imme-
diate action should be taken by Congress.
Mr. Kenney Of Delaware declared that
there were no people in the country more
IN favor Of Cuban independence than the
people Of Delaware.
Mr.. Chandler then rose and spoke as
follows:
Mr.. President: The United States
ought Immediately 10 declare war against
Spain, and 10 maintain that war until
the people Of Cuba are made free from
Spanish starvation and cruelty and the
government Of the island thoroughly es-
tablished as an independent republic.
THE reasons for declaring war are ap-