Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-04-20
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

Washington, April 11.-Quay was max
ing a speech for immediate recognition of
the independence of the Cubans when the
presidents message was received. The
message was read and at once referred to
the committee on foreign affairs. Stewart
criticised the presidents policy of inter-
ventiop without recognition of independ-
ence. Butler, of South Carolina, presented
a resolution declaring the blowing up of
the Maine to be an act of war on the part
of Spain, recognizing the independence Of
the Cuban republic, demanding the with
drawal of the Spanish forces from Cuba,
and directing the president, if necessary,
to use the entire land and naval force of
the United States to carry the resolution
into effect. Another message from the
president, transmitting the Cuban consular
reports, was laid before the senate, and
after being reau, was referred with the
accompanying papers to the committee on
foreign relations.
The presidents message after having
been read. was referred to the committee
on foreign affairs, and the house proceed
ed with District Of Columbia business.
SENATE
Washington. April ~ Lindsay offered
resolution directing the president in his
Cuban military operations to act in concert
with Gomez. Mason delivered q speech
declaring for war. Allen introduced o
resolution declaring state of war to ex-
ist between Spain and the United States
and recognizing the independence Of Cuba.
Pettus made an argument regarding the
authority to declare and prosecute war.
HOUSE
The Cuban debate occupied most of the
time Lentz, an Ohio democrat said the
presidents message meant that the United
States should coerce the Cubans into ac-
ceptance of Spanish scheme OF autonomy.
Hepburn denounced the intimating Of such
policy as little short of scoundrelism.
Grosvenor, regarded as spokesman for the
the administration, SAID the message
meant to use the army and navy to estab-
lish government independent Of
Spain. Bailey said if the president had
meant TO declare for Cuban independence
he would have said so, and it had required
all the ingenuity of Grosvenor to torture
such n INTERPRETATION from his recon-
mendations.
Washington, April l3--Hale introduced
joint resolution at the instance of the
navy department providing for an auxiliary
naval force for coast defense to be enrolled
in such numbers as the president may.
direct and serve one year. The resolution
provides for officers for the force to be
selected from the merchant vessels
SENATE.
\. Washington April 1.-THE Cuban
resolution was received from the house
and Immediately laid before the senate
Addresses were made by Senators Turner,
Hoar, Turpie, Gray and Fairbanks. The
most significant event of the day was an
attempt to fix vote, and the failure TO do
so on account OF the desire Of many SEN
ators to debate the resolution at consider
able length 1t is impossible to say when
n vote will be taken, and the utmost the
friends Of the resolution hope is to secure
vote by the end Of the week. Senator
Davis, in charge of the resolution, says he
will ask the senate to sit continuously
after the beginning of the session to-
morrow unless an agreement TO fix time
for u vote can be secured.
HOUSE.
The most important measure passed was
the Curtis bill for the relief of residents of
the Indian territory. 1t provides for the
settlement Of questions involving ~. 900, 600
acres belonging to the Chcrokees. Chicka-
saws, Creeks, Choctaws and Seminoles,
and now occupied by 100000 white and
ment of 1000 intruders upon III, 900 acres
OF land. The lands are to be leased so as
to give each Indian a share. Mineral
lands are to be leased by the secretary of
the interior, and citizens in towns located
on lands are to be permitted to buy the
titles TO the holdings from the Indians