Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-07
YESTERDAY IN THE SENATE.
Intense Disappointment When II
Was Learned That the Mes
sage Was Delayed.

Washington, April 6.-When the senate |
convened, to-day, intense expectance. |
amounting to excitement, prevailed both on
the floor and in the gallaries. The presi-
dents message had been positively promis-
ed and it's coming was awaited with genu-
inc anxiety. Ten minutes after the senate
convened, consideration Of the sundry civil
bill was resumed. and, with the exception OF
eight minutes, consumed by executive ses-
sion. in which Senator Davis announced
that no message would be sent in to-day,
almost the entire session was consumed
by the bill. II was practically completed
when laid aside for the day.
A memorable scene WIS presented al the
opening Of the senate to-day. An audience
that tested the full capacity Of the accom-
modations had filled the galleries hours De
fore the senate convened. II was by 10
means an ordinary crowd of gallery hahi-
tues Members of the families oil most Oh
the distinguished men in American pupiic
life were there. prominent representatives,
of the several foreign legations occupied
the diplomatic gallery and persons o's
tGngushed in all walks OF life mad come 10
wituess a scene that promised to FORM an
,r,nor.ant mage In American history.
| message was to be received from the presi-
dent of the United States that might, IN
.ts results, mean war between two great
| nations and intense interest bordering upon
| anxiety. was depicted on every couhte-
nance.
| In tho private gallery sat Mrs. John A
| Logan. widow Of the brilliant BLACK JACK
who won fame on many hard 1oushe
| field and served long in the Dody Cpo'
| which his widow now loohso. AS''N.
uarving her was Miss Cisneros, her ward.
| <r.y q
where she had been incarcerated Tor al
| ,.,,j.rce 70 the cause Of Cuba ana her
| cents In the diplomatic gallery was the
| distinguished Sir Julian PaUnceiote' inc
| amf,as sador of Great Britain. 1t was the
| first time he had been in this place SINCE
| the Inauguration of President mchihiss
| and at that time he occupied seat on the
| floor Of the senate.
seats in the executive gallery had been
| reserI ed for a party from the W hite HOUSE.
| bur their occupants were late in coming.
| Senator Proctor was the first senator ~
| ,rak. his appearance on the floor AS ne
quietly wended his way through the desks
tn his seat the people In the galleries rec
oprized him and slight ripple OF applause
rl, through the great crowd. MIR. Proc
,nr seemed 10 be embarrassed by the at
.ertion which he attracted. and soon after
ward disappeared in the cloak room.
Ar 1:30 Mr.. Davis, chairman OF the COM
mi.tee on foreign relations. moved that Inc
senate go into executive session. Division
was demanded and the vote. 2o-ll, olscioseo
the absence of n quorum
A call Of the senate was then requested.
| While this was proceeding, the hundreds
in the galleries awaited the action OF the
| sa,.ste with almost breathlesS interest, as
all realized that after waiting for hours
| Z, hear the message read in the senate they
were likely now TO be disappointed. Ane
call of the senate indicated the presence
of seventy-three senator's
Mr.. Mills of Texas. expressed the nope
that the call for the yeas and nays upof
IN. motion of Mr. Davis would be with
| drawn and that the senate might. Wlthou
division, go into executive session.
On a viva yoce vote, the motion prevailed
and the president, at 1:37 p. m, ordered th'
galleries cleared.
After the galleries had been cleared. Sen
ator Davis explained the reason Tor IN
| delay in sending the message. lie sald
was due to the fact that there had beel
some delay in getting Consul Genera! Lee
and other Americans out of Havana, ant
| that more time was absolutely necessar.
> for this purpose Hence the president di'
not consider it wise or humane to SEND il
the message which might precipitate seriou
$ trouble and endanger the lives OF thes
| people.
r Mr.. Davis stated that the president ha
= sent for him for the especial purpose o
E asking this delay. and had shown, as rea
n son for the request, a telegram from Con
sui General Lee saying that il the messaS
: should be sent in before Monday he woul
4 not be responsible for the lives of Amer
leans in Cuba
: No comment whatever was made on tn
senator's communication. and. after 1t wa
: made, the senate returned to its legislativ
:. work.
e AS soon as It became noised about tn
S corridor that the galleries were again opeI
d | a tremendous rush up the stairwayS be