The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-08


late this afternoon during the consid-
Grafton of the bill for the reorganiza-
ton of the army. 1t was caused by
Mr.. Lentz, an Ohio democrat, who
made a vicious assault on the admin
istration. charging that the policy of
delay was in the interest of stock job
bers in Wall street. He alleged that
Wall street was in the possession of
the information that the message
would not 60 in long before IL was
known at the capitol, and profited heav-
lily by the advanced price of stocks
which resulted. He even charged that
there was no warrant for the alarming
statements about the situation in Ha-
vana which were given as justifying
the delay of the message. Mr.. Lentz's
speech created a profound sensation
and was met weth emphatic reply from
General Grosvenor. now generally re-
garded as the Administrations spokes-
man on the floor.
Mr.. Grosvenor not only Indignantly
denied there was justification for the
report. but held Mr.. Lentz up to scorn
for alleged corrupt motives against the
president Mr. LentZ disclaimed this.
but the irate friend of the president
gave him no quarter. He was aroused
and laid about him with a veritable
bludgeon. charging that the democrats
were seeking political advantage, and
paying his respects to John j. McCook
and others. Before he concluded he ex-
pressed the opinion that war was as
certain as that we would live until next
week. unless il was averted by Spain.
The debate on the army bill to-day de-
veloped more and more opposition. Mr..
Hull tried to save the bill by agreeins
lei. h..
three battalion formation features, but
il was in the end recommitted. $50 to
81. The house then adjourned until
Monday.
Little evidence Of excitement ex-
listed when the house met at
noon. The public galleries were
crowded but yawning gaps showed in
the reserved galleries. MIR. Hull, chair
man of the military affairs committee.
stated to-day before the consideration
of the army reorganization bill was re-
sumed, that at the proper time he
should move to strike out everything
except the first two sections providing
for the three battalion formation. The
section providing for the expansion of
the regular army in time of war to
1O4, 900 would be stricken out. Debate
then proceeded.
Mr. Sulzer dem. n. Y, who support
ed the bill as IL was proposed to mod
ify IL. made a vigorous pro-Cuban
speech. II Cuban Independence We're
recognized, he declared, Cuba would be
soon free. He declared that the ma
jority in congress and the president lit
tie understood the intense feeling of
the people of the country over the
Maine affair and the delay in calling
Spain to account. "Oh, for one day OF
Andrew jackson in the white house,"
he concluded. He would say. Onward
the fleet: forward the whole line. and
let the battle cry be, Cuba must be
free"
Mr.. Lewis. dem. Wash, vigorously
assailed the bill. He not only charged
that II was part of a programme to in
crease the regular army in time OF
peace. but he declared that the three
battalion formation had proven fall
ure and had been so characterized by
the commander-in-chief of the British
army.
A Cowardly Peace Party.
Mr.. Lentz. dem. Ohio. i'm the course
of his remarks in opposition to the bill.
declared that there would be no war.
that the peace party" which was spec
ulating in stocks and bonds would pre-
vail. He said there was an irreconcili-
able disparity between the reasons Civ
en- for the delay of the presidents mes
sage and the dispatches from Havana.
The message had been postponed be-
cause Americans could not get out Of
Havana. Yet the press dispatches said
all was quiet in Havana and that Gen
eral Lee said he had not been recalled.
He denounced the telegrams he and
other members were receiving urging
them to stand by the president, and
said they were dictated by financial
greed. Mr.. Lentz referred to the note
presented by the powers. He read from
IL the words about the hope for peace
In the settlement Of the existing diff
ferences with Spain"
We have no differences with Spain"
he cried. I'VE have 266 assassinated
Americans which Spain must account
for" Applause in the galleries).
Yesterday" he said. I'VE had this
house filed. the galleries oyerfiowed
and the capitol grounds were covered
with people all expecting the presi-
dents message which might lead 20
war. But. finally. in the afternoon.
came rWarn that "A had haaF,