Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-13
MR.. GROsVENOR on PRESIDENT
M'kINLEY's MESSAGE.
SAYS 1T MEANS INDEPENDENCE
KANSAS POPuLISTS FIGURE IN THE
PROCEEDINGS.
Mr.. Ridgely Objects, MIR. BOtkin Mild
Iy Discusses, and Mr. Simpson
Becomes So ObstreperOus
That He Is Perempto-
riIy Ordered to
Be Seated.

Washington, April 12.-General Grosve-
nor OF Ohio now generally regarded as the
spokesman of the president on the floor of
the house. late this afternoon, in reply to
an attack upon the policy Of the adminis-
tration interpreted the recommendation in
the presidents message to mean request
for authority to use the army and navy OF
the United States TO establish on the ISL
and of Cuba a government Independent OF
Spain. 1t was regarded as an exceedingly
important and significant announcement.
In the brief debate to-day, the opening
guns Of the contest that begins tomorrow
were fired. Broadsides were exchanged.
and then the house adjourned. Mr.. Lentz.
an Ohio Democrat. who drew the fire OF
General Grosvenor last Thursday. returned
the assault again to-day. attacking what
he termed the "vacillating" policy of the
president, the midnight conference at the
White House with Senator Elkins and John
]. McCook." and asserting that the presi-
dents recommendations really meant that
the United States should coerce the Cuban
insurgents into an acceptance Of Spain's
scheme of autonomy. Mr.. Hepburn. Re
publican. of Iowa, made spirited and in
dignant reply, denouncing the intimation Of
such a policy as little short Of scoundrelism.
Then came General Grosveror's important
announcement upon which Mr.. Bailey. the
Democratic leader. countered, taking the po-
stion that il the president had meant to de-
clare for the independence of Cuba he
would have said SO in specific words. The
message was clear and lucid, he said, ex-
cept as TO the recommendations, and ii had
required all the ingenuity of General Gros-
venor to torture such an Interpretation
from them. In conclusion, he declared that
the president who should coerce the Cuban
patriots would not live 10 survive the odium
of the American people.
Immediately after the reading Of the jour-
nal. the speaker recognized Mr.. Eilborn,
Republican, of California, to call up. on
behalf of the naval committee, the senate
bill for the organization of a naval battal-
ion in the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Bailey indicated his purpose to OBJ
ject unless an amendment were offered TO
organize this battalion under existing law.
II suggest the bill be withheld until We
see what the report of the committee on
foreign affairs is to be. so we can deter
mine exactly what the condition in the
country is" said Mr.. Bailey. If the fear
he entertains has no more foundation than
the report that the presidents message
last Wednesday might have created riot
in Havana. the gentleman need net be eX-
ercised. The president message might
have created riot in Cuba, but it would
not have been among the Spaniards in
! Havana. 1t would have been among the
insurgents in the Interior" daughter and
applause on the Democratic side)
Il rise to parliamentary inquiry"
shouted Mr.. Terry, Democrat. of Arkansas,
| what need have We for an army and
| navy, anyway" Uaughter)
That is not a parliamentary inquiry"
! replied the speaker, smiling blandly, amid
| renewed laughter.
Mr.. Ridgely, Popuist, of Kansas, then
objected.
The house then went into committee of
| the whole on bill relating to the District
of Columbia.
During the debate Mr.. Botkin, PopuIist,
of Kansas, and Mr.. Gre ene. PopulIst. of
Nebraska. took occasion TO discuss the Gu
| ban question but their utterances were not
inilammatory.
After some discussion of the financial
question by Mr.. Hartman, silver Republic
an. of Montana. and Mr.. Lacey. Repub-
lican. of Iowa. Mr.. Lewis got the floor
| and in vigorous speech declared that in
the dust and clouds which had been kicked
up by diplomacy congress was losing sight
of the vital question before the people The
| country, he said. favored the freedom OF
Cuba, but that was only a sentiment. The
| avenEing of the Maine. he said, was the
| real duty of the government.
Later. while Mr.. Hill. OF Connecticut,
WAS discussing the question OF reforming
the currency. Mr.. Simpson. Popuist. of
Kansas. became so obstreperous that Mr..
| Hopkins. Republican. of Illinois. who WIS
| in the chair. ordered him to take his seat.
| and, when the Kansan declined he in
struCted the sergeaut-at-arms TO use the
| silver mace. the emblem of the house s
| authority. 10 compel him TO take his seat.
| One of the assistants took the mace out
| of its place and marched up the isle to-
| ward Mr.. Simpson. The latter laughed at
him. Take that thing back he said.
AS the mace cannot be employed under
the rules. in committee. the chair did not
press the command. and the incident closed
| with round of laughter.
Shortly before the adjournment Mr.. Lentz
| Democrat. of Ohio, made vicious assault
upon WDlcN ne described aS lfls taCllldting
| policy Of the president. reading from Va
rious newspapers to show that the president
had repeatedly changed his mind. He COM
| mented especially upon the report of an al
| legged midnight conference between Senator
EIkins and the Spanish minister after the
| former had been at the White House with
| John ]. McCook- He taunted the Republic
| ans because the president had not declared
for the independence of Cuba, which the
| Republican platform had demanded 1t
| remains TO be seen" said he. whether the
ma 5ority of the house can be lined up and
whipped in Congress. he declared. should
! act and could better act than the executive
formulating his policy at midnight behind
| closed doors with the aid of plutocracy"
| "A stable government! What do you pro-
| pose now? Let this congress give TO the
| president the army and navy" he saws,
| and i will go over there and force the
| Cuban patriots, force the Cuban heroes
| to submit 10 a stable government at the
hands of Spain. because the queen regent
| has already advised the administration
| that she has ordered suspension of hos
| tilities: she cannot order a suspension as
| against the insurgents. She has not among
| all her bull fighters and bullies manhood
enough TO order a suspension of hostilities
on the insurgents. This administration.
| With all this vacillatins policy. which WAS
criticised by the Chicago Tribune. an ad-