Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-11
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. April II.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Nine o'clock, the hour for the open.
ing of the doors OF the Capitol building,
did not find nearly so large number
waiting for admission to the Senate as
on last Wednesday and no more were
admitted to the gallery floors than
could find seats in the galleries. This
arrangement prevented the blocking of
the corridors as on the previous occa
sion and thus saved the comfort Of all,
while none were deprived of seats who
could have procured them if admitted
to the gallery floor. The Senate ar
rangements were admirable. There
were few people waiting on the Sen
ate steps at the hour of sunrise, but the
number did not grow rapidly, SO that
when the doors were opened there
were only few more than could be &C
commodated. 1t was those who came
afterwards who were cut of from the
top floor of theSenate wing and compel.
ed ID content themselves with view Of
the outside walls of the Senate cham
Der and with an occasional glimpse of
passing Senator. The falling of in
the attendance was attributed partly to
the light rain of the morning and to the
apprehension on the part OF some that
the message might not be received.
Those in the waiting line rushed madly
up the steps when the doors were
opened, few, however, aged or infirm,
waiting for the elevator. Practically
all the seats except those in the diplo-
matte and Senators galleries were oc
cupied i've minutes after the opening.
1t was three hours from that time until
the Senate convened at noon, but no
impotence was manifested and abso
lutte order and decorum were preserv-
ed. Almost all persons had brought
books, magazines and newspapers and
the crowd in the gallery during this
long wait presented the appearance of
a large mixed school rather than an as
semblage of people gathered together,
as most of them thought they were,
practically to hear declaration OF war.
AS soon as the session was called to
order by the Vice President Mr.. Quay
presented some petitions, among them
several favoring the independence of
Cuba. Another was from the Trades
League, of Philadelphia, composed of
1000 business firms, urging the Penn.
sylvania representatives in Congress to
do everything in their power to prevent
q disturbance of peace. To this com.
munication Mr. Qlay had read stir.
ring reply in which he said that the
time had now passed for any other
plan to be considered than the absolute
freedom of Cuba and the withdrawal of
the Spanish flag from Cuba. 1t was
too late now, continued Mr.. Quay in his
reply, for pope, prelate or presbytery
to interfere to prevent an accession to
the just demands of the United States. |
While the communication were being
read the Presidents message was re-
ceived.
As the Vice President handed the |
to the reading clerk, Senators
on the floor and the people in the |
galleries bent forward, anxiously listen
ing to every word of the message, upon
which peace or war might hang.
After reading for half an hour the
voice OF the reading clerk began to fail |
and the reading was continued by an
other clerk. Soon after the change was
made Mr. Mason complained that he
could not understand, and requested |
that the clerk read more slowly.
A few minutes after the reading clerk |
resumed the reading and concluded at
1850 p. m.
Mr.. Davis, chairman of the commit
tee on foreign relations, was, upon the
conclusion of the reading, instantly
recognized. He moved that the mes
sage be referred to his committee.
Upon that question Mr.. Stewart said
that while he did not care at this time
to discuss the general question, he de-
sired to submit some remarks bearing
upon the message. He sharply criti-
cised the position taken by the Presi-
dent, saying it seemed evident to him
(StewarD that the proposed interview
ton would precipitate what would
prove to be a war of conquest. He
hoped there would be no intervention
that did not recognize the rights of the
Cubans who had been struggling for
years for their independence. He be-
ieved we ought not to 60 to Cuba with
30 armed force unless we went with
he intention of recognizing the rights
Ind authority of the Cuban republic Off
Gals and of joining with the insurgents
% assist them in winning their freedom
and independence.
Mr.. Stewart declared that in the cir
;umstances war with Spain would be
| war with which the European powers
you'd have nothing to do. The Maine
disaster, alone, was in itself an act of
var and this country would be fully
Justified in proceeding to extreme
measures on that subject. The people,
aid Mr.. Stewart, had put the crime
against the Maine ahead, in point of I
of every other feature of
be Cuban question and they would
most heartily approve of war with
spain to wipe out the stain upon this
country produced by that foul, Spanish
dot. He insisted that no war ought,
however, to be precipitated that did
lot include the Cuban insurgents as
lilies to our arms. II this country
hould recognize the independence Of
Juba the people would applaud the
.ction from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
because it would mean the freedom of
IN oppressed and downtrodden people.
TIE farmer, the mechanic and the bicycle
ider are liable to unexpected cuts and
ruises. DeWitt's Witch Hazel salve is the