The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-01-19
/ SPRINGS ETERNAL
Cuban Question is Not to be
Got Rid of.
UP AGAIN IN THE HOUSE
Holly Debated, Along With
Reed and the Rules.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-Cuba had hear
ing in the house today, and for time it
looked as if parliamentary precedents
would be set aside and the senate reso-
luton recognizing the insurgents as bel
ligerents would be attached as rider to
the diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill. Mr.. De Almond, Missouri Demo-
crat, precipitated the issue by offering the
resolution as an amendment, but a point
of order against it was sustained. Mr..
De Almond appealed. He urged the Re-
pubIicans who had professed friendship
for the struggling Cubans to override the
decision of the chair as the only chance or
securing action on the proposition. Mr.
Bailey, the leader of the minority, and
other Democrats joined in the appeal The
excitement became intense, but the ap-
peals of Mr.. Dingley. the floor leader of
the majority, as we'll as other Republic
an leaders, to their associates not TO join
in the program, succeeded. Mr.. Colson
(Rep) of kentucky warned his side that
unless he was soon given an opportunity
to vote his sentiments on the Cuban ques-
ton he would cooperate in any revolu-
tionary method to secure action. The Re
publican tactics kept to the front the
point that the minority were seeking 20
override the rules of the house, and they
n. Ia
chair by the vote of 152 to ia. One Demo-
crat, NJ r. Fleming of Georgia, voted with
them on the ground that he could not
violate his oath by voting against uphold
ing the rules. During the debate Mr..
Bailey challenged Mr.. Hit to give the
house any assurance that an opportunity
would be offered to vote on the resolution
passed BY the senate at the last session,
but he received no reply. Before the dip
lomatic bill came up the army bill was
passed.
Washington, Jan 1S.-The first contested
election case of the present congress was
disposed of by the house today. Chair
man Taylor of committee on elections No.
2 reported that Thomas f. Clark, who
filed notice of contest against Jesse F.
Stallings, representing the Second Ala
bama district, had abandoned his contest
and the committee therefore unanimously
reported a resolution declaring Mr.. Stall
Iings entitled to the seat.
ARMY APPROPRIATIONS.
The house then resumed the considera-
ton Of the army appropriation bill When
the house adjourned yesterday a point of
order had been raised against a provision
modifying the method of computing the
mileage of army officers.
Mr.. Savers Dem.) of Texas said the
proposed provision would increase the
Cost OF mileage to the government. After
some discussion it was temporarily passed
over.
Mr.. Savers then raised a point of order
against the provision requiring the pay
of enlisted men to be paid by paymasters
In person.
The point OF order was sustained and
the provision went out of the bill.
Mr.. Little of Arkansas offered an
amendment to appropriate $4,000 for the
repair OF the national cemetery at Fort
Smith, Ark. He explained that the ceme-
terry had been totally wrecked by the
storm which recently devastated the town.
The amendment fell under a point of or
der
Without further amendment the bill
was then passed.
The Wheeler resolution for the appoint
ment OF members Of the board of regents
of the Smithsonian Institution was also
passed.
CUBAN DEBATE AGAIN.
Mr.. Hit, chairman of the COMMITTEES
on foreign relations, then called up the
diplomatic and consular appropriation bill.
Mr.. Bailey objected TO any limitation on
the general details. The bill carried ST.
29,0oS, an increase of S3S, 200 over the law
for the current year.
As soon as the enacting clause had been
read, Mr. De Almond Dem.) of Missouri
offered an amendment to recognize the
Cuban insurgents as belligerents Mr.. Hit
raised the point of order that the amend
menL was new legislation and obnoxious
10 the rules of the house.
Mr.. De Almond, speaking TO the point
Of order. said he fully understood the
rules of the house, which were designed
TO suppress, when desired, the viii of the
house. The chairman of the foreign af-
fairs committee might, he said, be con-
strained to raise this point of order, but
he reminded the house that there still re-
sided in its judgment. the power at any
time, at any place, on any bill, to place
what the house believed should be there.
For months. he declared. those in con-
troll of the house had declined % allow the
house to consider what the people of the
country, without regard TO party. desired.
namely, that congress consider and act
upon this question of recognizing the bel
ligerenCy of the struggling patriots in Gu
ba. When the people of the country felt
as they did, it was the duty of members
10 override these petty little rules which
had been used TO suppress action.
IN EMULATION OF NERO.
The newspapers were filled daily with
narrowing tales Of starvation and cruelty
In Cuba. Should we emulate the example
of Nero. who hddled while Rome burned.
and sit sUpinely and indifferently by when
men, almost within sight of our shores.
were fighting valorously for principles as
holy as patriots ever espoused or heroes
ever defended? He tainted the Republic
ans with being subservient 20 those who
desired 10 prevent action on this oues-
Son. Further inaction, he insisted, was
"a disgrace to American manhood.
The autonomy offered by Spain. he de-
~
and delusion. He warned the other side