Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-20
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, April 20.
SENATE.


opening of the Senate to-day made q
tender reference to Senator Walthall,
of Mississippi, who ia dying at his
apartments in this city.
The following resolution was present
ed by Mr.. Allen THAT in the opinion
of the Senate no circumstances can
arise in the relations of the United
States OF America and the Kingdom of
Spain that will warrant an increase OF
the interest bearing bonded indebted.
ness of this government. or that will
in any manner interfere in the reform
of the financial affairs of the United
States on lines laid down in the nation.
al peoples party platform Of July 1896"
The resolution went over under OBJ
lection.
Consideration of the sundry civil bill
was resumed and MIR. Cockrell con-
tinued his speech on the Cuban ques-
ton begun yesterday.
Mr.. Vest inquired soto voce OF MIR.
Cockrell, if he prosed to take the
back track" again to-day and the lat
ter replied simply that be expected to
take minute to conclude his remarks.
In concluding those remarks, MIR.
Cockrell said simply that he desired to
have passed by Congress such resolu-
lions as would declare the Cuban patri-
ots free and independent and that
not the slightest restraint or cons.rsiDt
should be placed upon them. They
would, he doubted not, be able in
short time to gain their freedom.
| II tho
subject said that he had no desire un-
duly to criticise the President or
the administration. He had felt from
the beginning there should be
a unanimity of action on the part of all
parties in Congress, if there was to be
war-a war which he thought might
have been averted if the preceding ad-
mipistration and even the present one
had acted properly it's part in the Dip
lomatic negotiations. He was Of opiE-
ion that the friends of the administra-
ton, besides being willing to have
war with Spain, were also willing to
seek war among the political factions
in this body. Mr., Teller then reviewed
the action of.Congress upon the Cuban
Question. Coming down to the speech OF
Mr.. Hale last Saturday night, he said
that it was the first time in his long ex-
perience in the Senate that he had
heard Congress threatened with an ex-
ecutive veto or had heard the Senate
threatened with a deadlock with the
House of r representatives.. During sew
eral days, he declared, it was indie.
Gently whispered about the Senate
that the President would veto the
resolu i)ns if they contained pro-
vision for the recognition OF the Cuban
republic. He did not believe that the
President had ever authorized any man
to say that he would veto resolutions
sent to him by Congress, at least no
such information to that effect bad
reached him from respectable sources
In his experience he had never known
so much temper to be manifested in the
discussion of serious proposition and
then called attention to the fact that
when be had pressed Mr.. Hale the
latter had disclaimed any intention to
speak for the President. He believed
that the discussion last Saturday night
had grown partly out of desire to
precipitate political discussion. Mr..
Teller maintained that even to-day
there was no necessity for intervention
by the United States. Should we recog-
MIA Cuban independence and give the
patriots our moral support he had no
doubt they would be able to sustain
themselve and gain their freedom.
HOUSE.
There was mild demonstration in
the House Immediately after the read
ing of the journal, when the Presidents
executive clerk announced the Presi-
dents approval of the Cuban resolu.
tions. The Senate joint resolution au-
tlorizing the printing of extra copies Of
the military publications of the War
Department was adopted.
Mr.. Hull, chairman of the committee
on military affairs, asked unanimous
consent for the i'm mediate consideration
Of the bill he introduced at the request
of the War Department authorizing the
President to call for volunteers. 1t
provides that the States shall appoint
all colonies and officers below that
rank and the President all above.
Mr.. Sayers criticised the section au-
thorizing the President to appoint the
staff officers subject to confirmation of
the Senate or authorizing him to assign
these officers from the regular army,
the volunteer officers or the militia.
Mr.. Hull explained that the commit
tee had unanimously agreed that past
precedents should be followed and the
governors of States should retain the
power to appoint all regimenlal off.
GERS. The joint resolution passed by
Congress authorizing the President to
employ the militia force Of the United
States, he said, would not meet the
present situation. He felt authorized
to say that if he were to fight this war
it would be with the volunteer and not
the militia forces.
-"nnr suggested in view Of
Mr.. Gros,. -" late war that
our experience during lilo -.
all surgeons should be required to keep
complete and perfect records.
Mr.. Hull read the following tele-
grom he received from Secretary AL
ger, this morning: ~ hope you will in
troduce your bill this morning. Time
is very valuable. On the whole, am
inclined to think that requiring commits
sions to be signed by the President for
the militia would be cause for action
and opposition by the Governors who
naturally might feel that this was tax
ing some of their power from them. |