Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-21

Washington, April 9.-After one of
the hardest fought battles between the
two houses known in many years,
congress, at an early hour this morn
ing, came to an agreement upon the
most momentous question it has dealt
with in a third of century. The
Cuban resolutions were passed and
will be sent to the president this
morning. Their provisions mean the
expulsion of Spain from the island OF
Cuba by the armed forces Of the United
States. There were many roll-calls in
both houses and each body held tena-
ciously for its own resolutions. The
conferees had great difficulty in agree
ing The first conference showed de-
termination on the part of the house
not to yield a single point and it was
only after long consultations with the
house leaders that they agreed to al
low the little words ARE and in the
first section of the senate resolutions
which declares the people OF Cuba
are and of right ought to be free and
independent The resolutions as
finally adopted are those reported from
the senate committee on foreign rela-
lions with the addition of the fourth
section, known as the Teller amend
ment, disclaiming any intention on
the part Of the United States to ac-
auire Cuba The resolutions cannot
be sent to the president until after
they are signed by the presiding Of
ficers today. The president retired
before midnight and the white house
was deserted except for Executive
Clerk Montgomery, who received the
bulletin announcing the senate's action
over the capitol wire. The message
was turned over to the domestic end
of the mansion and without waiting
for the action of the house the eXecu-
tive house was closed for the night.
SENATE.
Washington, April 19.-The tocsin
of war has been sounded by the Amer
lean congress. At lis this morning
the senate received the report of the
conference committee of the two
branches of congress and twelve MIN
utes afterward had adopted 1t. There
was fight to the last minute, how
ever, the advocates of recognition OF
INDEPENDENCE standing their ground
until they were fairly knocked down
by a vote of 70 to So. The minority
vote was cast by those who wanted
radical action and insisted the resolu-
tions should carry with them recogni-
ton of the independence of the Cuban
republic Upon this the split devel-
oped which nearly proved fatal to any
action at ali. The adoption of the con-
ference report brought to close one
of the most interesting and tumultous
sessions that the senate has held ID
wears. Such scenes of confusion and
excitement have rarely been witnessed
in that ordinarily staid and dignified
body as characterized it's proceedings
from noon Monday until nearly
o'clock this morning. Interest IN all
other questions was dwarfed into IN
significance by the one Overwhelming
question of war-war which all now
regard to be absolutely inevitable.
feeling of bitterness grew up between
the senate and the house during the
late afternoon and evening and at one
time seemed likely to delay action
until today. Cooler counsels pre-
vailed. however, and the determlna-
ton of the momentous question was
finally reached. Those who were
fighting for the recognition of the ISL
and republic early decided that the
senate should not take the initiative
In requesting a conference between
the two houses. They farther re-
solved that when the senate conferees
were finally appointed that at least
jority of sentiment in that body.
The radical advocates of independ-
ence slowly but none the less surely
lost ground, however, being swept
back by the powerful and compact
minority opposed to them. They
yielded only after one of the bitterest
contests in the history of the senate
hhcs CdplIuldleu DUL ulu HOt SuTToH-
der.
The scene in the senate even up to
the minute of adjournment was one of
wonderful beauty and impressiveness.
Hundreds of brilliantly attired women
and men In evening dress filled
the galleries. On the floor were the
makers of the country's history, wait
ing the verdict from the conference
committee. When finally it came
there was hush in the great cham
Der which a few seconds before had
been thrilling with animation. When
the verdict was returned and accepted
by the senate the great audience dis