The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-09

Washington, March SIN a spirit of
patriotism, with eloquent words ringing
in their ears, every member of the house
of representatives to-day responded to
the presidents first call to meet the
Spanish situation by casting his vote for
bill placing in President McKinley's
hands $5o,oO0 900 to be expended at his
discretion for the national defense.
Party lines We're swept away, and with
an almost unanimous voice congress
voted its confidence in the administra-
ton Many members who were paired
with absent colleagues took the respon-
sibility of breaking their pairs, an un-
precedented thing in legislative annals,
in order that they might go on record
in support of this vast appropriation 10
maintain the dignity and honor of their
country. Speaker Reed, who, as the
presiding officer, seldom votes, only in
case of tie, had his name called and
voted in his capacity as a representa-
tive.
The scene of enthusiasm which greet
ed the announcement of the vote, ayes
311 nays none, has seldom been paral-
leled in the house. All day long the
galleries were jammed with enthusiasts
tic spectators applauding TO the echo
the sterling patriotism of the words of
eloquence which were uttered by
the members on the floor. All the
speeches were forcefu1 Although four
hours were allowed for debate SO great
was the pressure for time that no one
member was given more than five min
utes and most of them had to content
themselves with a beggarly fraction of
minute. In all SO speeches were made.
With one acclaim, members from the
North and South, the East and West,
the states and territories, battle-searred
veterans of the union and the confeder-
ate armies. all Joined in proclaiming
their support of the country's chief
magistrate in the face of a prospect of
a war. There was only slight discord-
ant note caused by the speech of Gen.
eral Bingham of Pennsylvania, gallant
soldier, who served with distinction un-
der Hancock. He spoke too conservative
ly for the aroused temper of the house,
and when he insisted that our relations
with Spain were as friendly as they had
been for years, many of the members
Kissed him. While almost every mem
Der who spoke deprecated the possibility
of war. wide divergence of opinion as
to how close were hostilities manifested
itself in the debate. The general con-
tention by the majority among the lead
ers of both sides was that this appro-
priation by preparing for war would
prove the surest guaranty of peace.
Others insisted that wars alarms
would soon be heard and Mr. Mann of
Illinois declared that war actually ex-
listed in all save name. The speeches
which attracted most attention were
those of Messrs. Cannon. Henderson and
Dolliyer on the republican side. and
Messrs. Bailey and Sayres on the demo-
cratic side
The galleries of the house were packed
to-day and long lines of people. unable
to gain admittance, surged about the
corridors. On the floor almost every
member was in his seat. On the faces
of the leaders of both sides sat a stern
resolution, indicating deep appreciation
OF the great business upon which con-
gress and the country We're entering
making this vast appropriation for War.
As soon as the journal had been read
Chairman Cannon presented as a def
cheney bill measure approprlating $50
100000 for national defense. II includes
several other items also among which
are 81 ,e0o, ,aG0 for naval vessels. When
the reading of the bill was concluded
with the item of $50. .000. 900 fer national
defense a spontaneous outburst of ap-
nlause Went up from members and gal
leries
Cannon took the floor to open the de-
hate on the bill He spoke calmly and
briefly. explaining that the items N The
bill, save the last, were strictly def
cheney items. Coming 70 the all-absorb-
inc item. he said in the present critical
condition Of affairs the committee
deemed L wise to appropriate this srta
placing its expenditure in complete dis
erection 6f the president. The aBpropria-
tian. he contendsd. was extraordinary
It's object was to empower the president
In an orderly way to prepare Tor cor tin
ge acies. He insisted this appropriation
must not be construed into n threat
The appropriation was to be placed in
the hands Of "a wise and patriotic execu-
tive Ia make proper preparations to
maintain the national honor nothing
mere.
Sayres Of Texas followed Cannon. HIS
first statement 10 the effect that in the