The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-26

Washington, April 25.-The house to-
day passed the bill declaring the exist
ence of a state of war between the
United States and the kingdom of
Spain i'm a manner which cannot fail
to impress the world. The representa-
tives of 100000 people voted for it
without a word of debate, without dis
senting vote. and without roll call,
but with solemn appreciation of the
gravity of their momentous action. 1t
required but one minute and forty-two
seconds to accomplish this. The H., use
was considering an election case, nd
simply paused to declare war. There
was no excitement. no cavil, no w rd
or question. 1t was only in the great
cheer that went up from the floor and
the galleries when Speaker Reed an
nounced its passage that the tremen-
dous import of the act and the s;p-
pressed enthusiasm behind it las
shown. After the presidents message
was read the committee on foreign az
fairs framed the resolution, Acting
Chairman Adams wrote the report aid
it was passed and on it's way to the
senate i'm an hour and six minutes The
speaker signed it at 4:24.
The remainder of the day was de-
voted to the Wise-Young election case
from the second Virginia district. The
house declined to agree to the senate
amendments to the army reorganiza-
tion bill, and 1t was sent to conference.
The galleries were thronged this
morning in anticipation of the presi-
dents message asking congress to
make a formal declaration of war. 1t
was read after the prayer, and was lis
tened to with profound attention. There
was no demonstration. The message
was ordered printed and referred to .he
committee on foreign affairs by he
speaker
After the message had been referred
the house proceeded with the consider
alton of the District of Columbia tusi-
ness. No interest was manifested IN
the proceedings until after II o'clock
Acting Chairman Adams entered the
house. and the news that the commit.
tee had unanimously agreed upon HI
declaring the existence of a state Of
war was known all over the house
Mr.. Adams held hurried consulta tions
with the speaker and Messrs. Dinsmore
and Berry of the minority of the COM
mittee. At LEO p. m. he asked unani-
nous consideration for the bill declar-
ing the existence of a state of war be-
tween this country and the kingd )m
of Spain. There was not a murmur Of
dissent. The bill was read. 5'i.e
house held its breath. Mr.. Mcguire
DEM. Cal, arose to ask a question, but
refrained.
The question was put on the third
reading and passage of the bill. an.
in a magnificent chorus the whole
house responded aye The an
nouncement Gf its passage was = es,ei
with a round of applause and a cheer or
two from the floor and galleries, AMI
then the house resumed consideration
of the election case. There was no
excitement. IL required exactly .; q
minute and AZ seconds fol- the house
to pass the bill No such impressive
action can be recorded i'm the legislative
annals of any country. Tho oase of
representatives had simply paused IN
its routine business to pass a dc lara
tion of war.
Mr. Mcguire explained subse l"ently
that his purpose In rising was TO ask
whether the declaration in the Mill that
war has existed since April Il was 81
tended 20 legalize the secure Of tie
Buena Ventura.
Il consider that act ami oths- seiz-
ures up to I; is time n Jthing mere thar
piracy" said he.
The wise-Young election tcnts 81
from Virginia was next taiSen up. MIR.
Merrick made the opening ar yument
n araefinn ssf the
claims of the contestant 'pr Mar. Wisc.
Messrs. Burke. dem. Tex: Yost, rep.
Va, and De Almond, dem, No spoke
on the election case.
Just prior to adjournment Speaker
Reed signed the bill declaring the ex-
istence OF a state of war. When the
army reorganization Ill. With senate