The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-17
COCHRAN'S OPPOSITION
SAYS INTERVENTION WOULD
REGIN OUR TROUBLES.
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION ALSO DEBATED
Mr.. Williams Claims Annexation Would Annex
Another Race Problem The Recognition
of Cuban BeIIigerency Seems YetFa
Off. The Senate Proceedings.

Washington, D. c., March 16.-The
Postoffice Appropriation bill, which wae
technically the subject before the House
was almost lost track of in the debate
to-day AS on yesterday numerous to-
pics were discussed but to-day for the
first time the Cuban-Spanish question,
which had been kept in the background
heretofore. forged to the front. The
subject of Hawaiian annexation also
came in for some attention to-day.
Mr.. Williams Dem, Miss.), was first
recognized and in Il speech of forty
minutes replied to the speech made 10y
Mr.. Tawney yesterday i'll favor of Ha-
waiian annexation. Mr.. Williams hs
member of the Foreign Affairs commit
tee and his remarks received close at
tention.; He directed his attack partl-
cularly against the contention of Mr..
Tawney that the traditional policy of
this government was not opposed TO an
nexation. He thought there was no oe-
casion for alarm even if ut were true
that if we should not take the islands
some other country would. The idea 0l
the foreign ownership of a group of ls-
lands 1000 miles from our shores had
no terrors for him. He said the Ha-
waiian. islands were now in the control
of n carpetbag olgarchy. The States of
the South had undergone a bitter ex-
perience with carpetbag government and
did not desire TO endorse it anywhere
s The Hawaiian islands would be n
menace instead of a safeguard 10 the
United States. This country already
had II race problem. To take the Ha-
wafian islands would be to annex an
other race problem and pay $4,OOO,OOO
for the privilege of doing it.
Mr. Cochran Dem, Mo-, in comment
ing on the existing situation declared
that those who stood close TO the stock
tickers in London and New York seemed
to be more powerful than the united and
solemn voice of the American people,
which for months had been crying out
for the recognition of the Cuban belli-
gerents. Stock j0bbers on two c0nti-
nents had so far proved to be the only
actual intervention in Cuban affairs.
do you not believe we should recoS-
nize the independence of Cuba" asked
Mr.. Sulzer Dem, y. W
Il don not" replied Mr.. Cochran. THE
recognition of belligerency would clothe
the insurgents with sufficient power to
negotiate honorable peace. If we should
intervene our troubles would have just
begun. | fear if the administration
should intervence it would be as the at
torney of the bond-hOlders, rather than
as the friend of the insurgents"
In conclusion Mr.. Cochran referred
to the current rumOr that the President
L. Il In
order that he might be able to settle the
Spanish affair without interference from
Congress.
Mr.. GrosvenOr Rep., Ohio, replied TO
this statement Immediately. At first he
spoke in semi-humOrOus vein. lie de-
sired, he said, to make brief statement
in reply to this story which was float
/ ing around to the effect that the Presi-
dent was about TO take the House of
Representatives by the throat, abolish the
| United States Senate and proceed to
the settlement of all our foreign com
plication without the aid of the repre-
sentatiyes of the people. 1t should be
remembered, he continued, in weighing
such reports, that Congress was an IN
dependent power, the existence of which
could not be ended unedr the cOnstitu-
ton. 1t would probably continue
longer than the Cuban question. Mr..
C,roSvenor said he spoke of this matter
with some hesitation because after read
ing the newspapers he sometimes doubt
ed his independent esistence. When he
spoke for himself they insisted he spoke
for somebody else. He dic not pretend
to know more than the humblest citizen,
! yet. he said, he took the responsibility
/ Of stating that the suggestion that the
President had fixed a date for the ad-
journment of Congress, or desired to
fix date or had expressed a hope that
Congress would adjourn by a certain
, date was absolutely without foundation
and ridiculous in the bargain. Congress
could not adjourn except by majority
vote of its members and he had no doubt
that every member responsible to mis-
conscience and his country, would do his
duty as he saw it, in the matter of ad-
jomnment as everything else.
Mr. Norton Dem. Ohio. who follow
cd Mr.. GrOsvenor paid high tribute to
the patriotism and judgment of the
President. If left to himself to exercise
his Judgment. Mr.. Norton said, he would
| te glad to follow hut he feared that
Mr.. Mckinley was beset. as Grant had
been when he wished to recognize the
/ independence of Cuba. by a trocha
which wonld require the genius of
! God TO surmOunt. He declared that il
1 was the duty of Congress to remain ut
its post and see what was to he done.
] Continued Second Page.)