The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
CoLLooUIES IN THE SENATE
THAT ENLIVENED THE PROCEEDING
OF AN OTHERWISE DULL DAY.
Explanations by Democrats Concern
ing Their Votes ON the Conference
Report-What Grosvenor Meant.


night over the Cuban resolutions. Consd-
Grafton of the sundry civil appropriation
bill was resumed, and the wide latitude OF
debate permitted under the rules of the
Senate afforded opportunity for some ex-
plantations to be made concerning the ac-
ton of the Senate on the Cuban question.
Mr.. Cockrell and Mr.. Bacon explained the
action of the Democrats in voting against
the conference report in the early hours of
this morning, and the coiloeuies that en-
sued between them and some of the Repub-
lican senators were spicy and interesting. A
running fire of debate was precipitated,
which was participated in by Messrs. Man
tie, Cannon, Hale. SDooner and others, the
discussion lasting about three hours.
AT the opening of the session the exciting
and momentous scenes of the past week had
given way to a dull and somber routine.
Attendance on the floor and in the galleries
was small. At 1927 p. m. a message was
received from the House of Representatives
announcing the signature of the speaker to
the Cuban resolutions. Eight minutes after
ward the Vice President announced his sig
nature to the Cuban resolutions.
In accordance with his announcement,
made yesterday. that he proposed to insist
upon the independence of the Cuban repub-
lie, Mr.. Allen offered the following resolu-
ton, which was referred 70 the committee
on foreign relations:
''That the political independence of the
republic of Cuba, the capital Of which is To-
Gated at Cubtas, is hereby recognized by
the United States of America as the lawful
government of the island of Cuba and that
the United States hereby pledges to said
republic it's friendly offices in the adjust
ment of it's financial affairs with the king
dom of Spain or the holders of Spanish
bonds or Indebtedness issued against or
made chargeable to Cuba that so far as the
influence of the United States may be prop
erly exercised, it will insist that said re-
public shall not be charged with the bonded
or other Indebtedness of Spain contracted
during prior to hostilities between the re-
spective governments of Cuba and SPAIN
AN ANCIENT SCHEME.
Mr. Stewart said the resolution reminded
him of the very ancient and very sapient
scheme of locking the door after the horse
is stolen.
Mr.. Allen declared that he was quite sat
sfed that, under tho present arrangement,
the island of Cuba would pass into the
hands of financial cormorants and finan-
cial buzzards,' unless the United States
should at once take measures to protect the
island and its people.
The Senate then resumed consideration
of the sundry civil bill Mr. Pettus offered
an amendment providing for the coalinG of
ships of war and their barges at Mobile,
Ala Ala 70, and providing tor approximation OF
war as he may decide. lie urged that this
was a war measure and ought to be
adopted. t.s<.2
Mr.. German urged Mr. Pettus to with
draw the amendment. Other senators, he
said. withheld simISI, amendments which
they had been urged 10 press because it was
should be ii river and harbor measure. Mr..
Pettus then withdrew the amendment.
In the course of a dry routine discussion
Of minor amendment to the pending bill
Mr. COckrell injected some life into the de-
bate by throwing down the gauntlet TO Mr..
Hale tor some utterances the latter had
made during the Cuban debate. He ex-
pressed the desire that Mr.. Hale would use
his great influence to get the Republicans
in line upon the pending amendment
Mr.. Hale expressed the hope that all Re-
publicans would be found in solid phaanx
in support of their President and their party.
II may be pardoned, too, for expressing the
hope" said Mr.. Hale. tauntingly, that all
Democrats and all members of other parties
shall be found supporting, not the President
alone, but the country in all patriotic mat
ters.'
COCKRELI. WON'T BE A TAIL
Il, too, shall welcome the day when men
Of all parties may join with the President
in support of patriotic policies" declared
Mr. Cockrell. but if the President of the
United States expects me 10 be a tail to his
kite and to swing along to his coat tails. he
will find himself greatly mistaken" Mr..
Cockrell then launched into an extended
speech in which he sharply attacked the
administration and Congress for their action
on the Cuban question. Mr.. Cocllrell adj
Verted TO the purpose of the resolution
passed early this morning, intimating that
ii would enable those so inclined to take
advantage of the Cuban patriots.
When he referred TO the action of the
Senate and of Congress late at yesterdays
session Mr.. Hale interrupted him to inquire
why 1t was that the Democrats Of the Sen
ate practically as a body voted against the
action for which they had been elamorng
for months. Il can understand he said,
THE senator from Missouri may be a trif1e
sensitive over night.
mot at ALL" declared Mr.. Cockrell 81
cast than of that / cast in the early hours
of this morning. The votes we cast were a
manifestation of devotion to the principles
long upheld by the Cuban patriots"
Mr.. Hale then called attention to the fore
cast he had made last Saturday night
were opposed to any action. He did not en-
ncct his forecast to be so soon substan-
tiated.
Mr.. CockrclI replied that when the ques-
ton finally came before the Senate ii was
on the particular matter as to whether the
recognition of Independence should be in
cCrporaCed in the resolutions. That amend
ment, Mr.. Cockrell contended. was the only
point in issue on the final vote
AS matter of fact, INTERCEPTED Mr.
Spaoner, this whole business was a party
pay-a Democratic party play--and they
can't put men on this side of the chamber
in hole by any exhibition of "a 'holier-
than-thou policy on that point
Mr.. Bacon continued the discussion of the
position of the Democrats, taking the same
position he took last night-that, as the
Democrats had voted time and again in
support of their position. so they voted to
sustain it by opposing the conference report
which struck out the provision for reccgni-
ton of independence. Mr.. Bacon contend
ed that. as only matters of difference go
| into conference, the vote in the Senate on
en- the Turpie amendment for the recogni-
ton of the insurgents and that. conse-
quently. those who had voted against the
conference report had only again recorded
themselves in favor of the Turpie amend
ment.
Mr.. Bacon and Mr. Spooner fe}l into a
technical discussion as to what was implied
in a vote for a conference report in which
many senators participated. Mr.. Bacon de-
clared that resolutions would have be-
prevailed. the only difference being that in
That event the insurgent government would
have been recognized. To this proposition
many Republicans exclaimed No, no. in
unison but none attempted al that time 10
explain the reasons for their dissent
All this had been in way of interruption
during Mr.. Coehrell's speech. He resumed
~ this point his discussion Of the Pres
tdent's policy. which, he commended from
the Presidents own language. meant inter-
yention in the shape Of hostile constraint =
upon both parties TO the Cuban wslr-upan